Parable: Greek, parabole: meaning comparison or analogy.
JESUS’ PURPOSE OF USING PARABLES
Prophecy
Matt 13:34-35 Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he
never spoke to them without using such parables. 35 This fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet:
“I will speak to you in parables. I will explain things hidden since the creation of the world.
Teach
Matt 21:45 When the leading priests and Pharisees heard this parable, they realized he was telling the story
against them—they were the wicked farmers.
Matt 13:47-48 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught
fish of every kind. 48 When the net was full, they dragged it up onto the shore, sat down, and sorted the good
fish into crates, but threw the bad ones away.
Warning
Luke 12:35-36 Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 as though you were waiting for your
master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment
he arrives and knocks.
Luke 12:39-40 “Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not
permit his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when
least expected.”
Matt 24:5-8 for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. And you
will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t
follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines
and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.
Luke 21:29-31 Then he gave them this illustration: “Notice the fig tree, or any other tree. 30 When the leaves
come out, you know without being told that summer is near. 31 In the same way, when you see all these things
taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near.
Matt 24:12-15 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures
to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole
world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come. “The day is coming when you will see what
Daniel the prophet spoke about—the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place.”
(Reader, pay attention!)
Dan 9:27 The ruler will make a treaty with the people for a period of one set of seven, but after half this time,
he will put an end to the sacrifices and offerings. And as a climax to all his terrible deeds, he will set up a
sacrilegious object that causes desecration, until the fate decreed for this defiler is finally poured out on him.”
THE HEART OF THE ISSUE
Hard soil
Matt 13:3-4 He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: “Listen! A farmer went out to plant
some seeds. 4 As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate
them.
Matt 13:18-19 “Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: 19 The seed that
fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then
the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts.
Shallow soil
Matt 13:5-6 Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil
was shallow. 6 But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died.
Matt 13:20-21 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it
with joy. 21 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have
problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.
Thorny soil
Matt 13:7 Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants.
Matt 13:22 The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the
message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.
Good soil
Matt 13:8-9 Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a
hundred times as much as had been planted! 9 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”
Matt 13:23 The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and
produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
APPLICATION
Change the Soil
Eze 36:26 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn
heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.
Water Consistently
John 15:4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the
vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
James 1:22-25 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling
yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see
yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you
free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
Pull the Weeds
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out
anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Harvest
2 Cor 9:10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing
and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
Matt 24:36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in
heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.
Matt 24:37-39 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38 In those days before the
flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his
boat. 39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is
the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.