THEOLOGY

What is a Parable?

by
Robert E. Schoenle

A “parable” is a story told to illustrate and bring understanding of truth! With stories of familiar things in the natural or material world, the Lord Jesus Christ was able to teach important spiritual truths to mankind. It was for this reason that He so often used this method to teach what He would have His audience to know.

The correct way to understand the truths being taught and illustrated in the “parables” of the Lord Jesus Christ is to rely, whenever possible, solely upon the Holy Bible to interpret them. However, with some of the “parables,” it is also necessary to consider and to use the traditions and lifestyle of the Jewish people during the time that the Lord Jesus Christ taught. This must be done in order to come to a true and full understanding of specific “parables.” This is most evident with a “parable” like, “The Parable of the Ten Virgins” as recorded in Matthew 25:1-13!