Why Parables?

[Bushido8000]

Something has always confused me about the teachings of Jesus. The fact that he taught and spoke in parables.

Also, in Either Exodus of Leviticus (I forget which), God also talked about how He talks to Moses directly and not in riddles like He does with everyone else.

Why the parables and riddles that sometimes leave us in debate for thousands of years as to their true meaning? Why not just outright teaching? And how does one acquire the "ears" to hear the true meaning of these parables?

 

[Simona25]

The parables were very common in the Oriental world...
There are parables in the Old Testament, too; there are also anthologies of rabbinic parables...

 

[Simona25]

It is curious that although the parable was very common, the disciples of Christ asked Him in one occasion "Why is that you talk to them in parables?". The disciples ask this as if the parable wasn't something usual. But the answer Jesus Christ gives is even more mind-blowing. In the gospel of Mark, Christ answers (aprox.) "To you it is given to know the mysteries of God's kingdom, but to those that are OUTSIDE, everything is told in parables so that they look and don't see, hear but don't understand, so that they do not return from their ways and be forgiven". Pretty tough answer, right?

 

[Tintin]

The parables were very common in the Oriental world...
There are parables in the Old Testament, too; there are also anthologies of rabbinic parables...

Your first point is correct. What books are you referring to in your second point?

 

[crossnote]

Matthew 13:10-11 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

This happened about 2/3 the way into his ministry.
The people were rejecting His message (see Mt.12) and so He began teaching using parables.

 

[2Thewaters]

Parables are meant to hide the truth from the apostate church

so they kill you much less,

revelation is still here, and was protected by the beast for 1500 years and it is all about how evil the beast is.

pretty awesome God to do that.

 

[Bushido8000]

It is curious that although the parable was very common, the disciples of Christ asked Him in one occasion "Why is that you talk to them in parables?". The disciples ask this as if the parable wasn't something usual. But the answer Jesus Christ gives is even more mind-blowing. In the gospel of Mark, Christ answers (aprox.) "To you it is given to know the mysteries of God's kingdom, but to those that are OUTSIDE, everything is told in parables so that they look and don't see, hear but don't understand, so that they do not return from their ways and be forgiven". Pretty tough answer, right?

I don't understand though. Why would He not want them to turn from their ways and be forgiven? Isn't that what God wants from Christians? The willingness and want to repent? Why would God purposely stop people who would follow Him from following Him?????

Now I'm more confused lol.

 

[Simona25]

Your first point is correct. What books are you referring to in your second point?

Ezekiel 17, for example.

 

[prove-all]

i put some my ideas on this thread to gain knowledge

Secrets of parables recent started post if help

 

[crossnote]

As far as 'acquiring the ears'...

John 3:7-8, 11-12 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

 

[blue_ladybug]

Something has always confused me about the teachings of Jesus. The fact that he taught and spoke in parables.

Also, in Either Exodus of Leviticus (I forget which), God also talked about how He talks to Moses directly and not in riddles like He does with everyone else.

Why the parables and riddles that sometimes leave us in debate for thousands of years as to their true meaning? Why not just outright teaching? And how does one acquire the "ears" to hear the true meaning of these parables?

Jesus spoke in parables, to make his point easier to understand. For example, the tale of the prodigal son: the son defied his father, went out and did his own thing and wasted his inheritance, then sheepishly came back home, not sure if his father would forgive him or not. That can be likened to the children of today who rebel against their parents, run away and do their own stuff, and come back home expecting (or not expecting) to be forgiven by their parents of the sins they did, but having them forgive them anyway.

Parables are also metaphors. Such as the verse that says "let he who is completely without sin cast the first stone." Jesus was talking about a woman who had sinned ( I believe she was a prostitute in the bible, but I could be wrong), and he was trying to tell the people who wanted to stone her to death, that if any of them had no sin then they could throw the first stone, but since EVERYONE sins, they could'nt throw stones at her because their sin was equally as bad as hers was.

I hope this helps you understand parables a little better now. LOL.

 

[2Thewaters]

I don't understand though. Why would He not want them to turn from their ways and be forgiven? Isn't that what God wants from Christians? The willingness and want to repent? Why would God purposely stop people who would follow Him from following Him?????

Now I'm more confused lol.

parables are written to be understood if you actually read the Bible

there are very few people who love God and will do anything he says
those people read the parables
and then he sends his holy spirit to them and tells them
this means this and that means that

so the good hearted people all find the truth

the wicked who just follow their leaders and take a few out of context Bible verses for their false doctrines will never come to the truth
they dont have the heart to accept it anyway
they would not do it even if you told them straight out

and if you did tell tham straight out they would immedieatly kill you

so God is just using parables to get the truth to those who would listen
those who would listen will read the Bible

those who dont on their own
would not listen anyway

not lead by the holy spirit

ever read Jeremiah?you should read the book of Jeremiah all through, it explains it all nicely

you would be shocked how rebllious people are

 

[crossnote]

Parables of Jesus were to HIDE the mysteries of the Kingdom from the unbeliever but reveal them to 'he who has ears'.

Luke 8:10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

 

[Simona25]

I don't understand though. Why would He not want them to turn from their ways and be forgiven? Isn't that what God wants from Christians? The willingness and want to repent? Why would God purposely stop people who would follow Him from following Him?????

Now I'm more confused lol.

. Indeed. The answer is ...scandalous , it doesn't look like Jesus Christ, the Savior of the (entire) world.

I believe God came for everybody, but not for anybody, if you understand what I mean. Jesus Christ was not a soft preacher and His activity must not be confused with proselytism. Christ is the answer only for those who have questions. Those who are in the dark are there because of their own willing, their own laziness. Christ doesn't cast pearls before swine. If there is no prior receptivity in the heart of man, Christ doesn't give His pearls. Christ knocks on the door, gently; He doesn't burst in.

 

[4enlightment]

Something has always confused me about the teachings of Jesus. The fact that he taught and spoke in parables.

Also, in Either Exodus of Leviticus (I forget which), God also talked about how He talks to Moses directly and not in riddles like He does with everyone else.

Why the parables and riddles that sometimes leave us in debate for thousands of years as to their true meaning? Why not just outright teaching? And how does one acquire the "ears" to hear the true meaning of these parables?

Parables has spiritual meaning, and which the one that has ears (Holy spirit) can hear them and understand them as well.

Matthew 13:13 This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.

John 5:25 Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.

John 10:5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”

John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
Matthew 11:15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.

 

[Flamingspirit]

Something has always confused me about the teachings of Jesus. The fact that he taught and spoke in parables.

Also, in Either Exodus of Leviticus (I forget which), God also talked about how He talks to Moses directly and not in riddles like He does with everyone else.

Why the parables and riddles that sometimes leave us in debate for thousands of years as to their true meaning? Why not just outright teaching? And how does one acquire the "ears" to hear the true meaning of these parables?

Because if those who are rich according to the world ever knew what the book was about, or have spoken its truths plainly, they would have NEVER let the bible be published!

 

[Simona25]

Parables of Jesus were to HIDE the mysteries of the Kingdom from the unbeliever but reveal them to 'he who has ears'.

Luke 8:10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

Sometimes, not even His disciples understood the meaning of the parables. Weren't they supposed to have ears to hear?

I think Christ is speaking the truth in parables and not directly in order to protect humanity. If you put light in the eyes of someone who spent all his life in darkness, you will hurt him instead of helping him. So, Christ, by talking in parables is also protecting us.

 

[Simona25]

Also, some mysteries of the kingdom of God have been revealed only to some apostles, not to all 12, like, for example, the revelation on the Mount of Transfiguration.

 

[Butch5]

Something has always confused me about the teachings of Jesus. The fact that he taught and spoke in parables.

Also, in Either Exodus of Leviticus (I forget which), God also talked about how He talks to Moses directly and not in riddles like He does with everyone else.

Why the parables and riddles that sometimes leave us in debate for thousands of years as to their true meaning? Why not just outright teaching? And how does one acquire the "ears" to hear the true meaning of these parables?

Here is the reason Jesus spoke in parables.

10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. (Mat 13:10-17 KJV)

 

[crossnote]

Sometimes, not even His disciples understood the meaning of the parables. Weren't they supposed to have ears to hear?

I think Christ is speaking the truth in parables and not directly in order to protect humanity. If you put light in the eyes of someone who spent all his life in darkness, you will hurt him instead of helping him. So, Christ, by talking in parables is also protecting us.

He would pull aside His disciples to explain, and as you say, in a way that they could comprehend.