What is meant by the term parable?

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Jamila-Alexandra Garduque-Hasan

Beatrice

Parables Coursework

A 1

What is meant by the term parable?

        The word ‘parable’ is derived from the Greek word parobole meaning comparison, thus a parable is a story that compares various options that one is faced with.  These stories make us realise that certain patterns of behaviour that embody Christian principles are superior to traditional ways of thinking and behaving.  It is a very effective way of teaching, especially to the listeners who have a limited educational background, as the stories that Jesus used were formulated from the everyday experiences that the listeners could relate to.

        Not only are these parables excellent tools for teaching religious values, but they tend to be so memorable that even today they are among the most remembered words uttered by Jesus. The term ‘Good Samaritan’ has now become part of our everyday vocabulary, so universally recognised is the parable and the message it is conveying.  Here in England the charity The Samaritans derive their name from the parable.

        Parables tend to make you realise that we are faced with moral dilemmas on an everyday basis giving us the opportunity of implementing our Christian principles in our everyday lives.  They challenge us to deviate from self-centred behaviour so that our Christian principles can make a difference not only in our lives but in those of the others around us.

        Jesus explained to us that our faith is a vital component to allow us to understand the meaning in the parables and like in the one of ‘the lost sheep’ in the gospel of Luke, we’re made to realise how important each one of us is to God.  If the shepherd is willing to prioritise the lost sheep so as to bring it back to the flock, there can be no doubt of how much God would value our repentance.

        Parables are thus easy to understand, and unlike allegories, they do not need to be decoded to understand what the characters and events really mean.  An allegory might depart into a fictional world.  In an allegory the events and/ or the characters actually symbolize other events and characters; every factor containing a specific meaning.


A 2

Describe from Luke’s Gospel, how Jesus presented his teaching through the parables

        What did Jesus mean by the term “kingdom of God?” We find clues to the meaning of this term in Jesus' parables. Almost two-thirds of Jesus parables refer to the kingdom of God.

        The thesis of each parable in Luke’s gospel represents the fundamental theme of the entire Gospel: the significance and the importance of the Kingdom of God.

        One of Jesus' parables is known as the parable of the "sower." We should examine this parable first because Jesus considered this parable the key to understanding all of his other parables. When the disciples of Jesus asked him to explain the meaning of the parable of the sower, Jesus replied, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all of the parables?"

        

        “A sower went out to sow.  And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.  Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they had not much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched; and since they had no root they withered away.  Other seeds fell upon thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.  Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear”

        The meaning of this parable is this, When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom and does not understand and accept it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in his heart; this is what is sown along the path.  No faith receives no rewards.

        Concerning those  seeds that were sown on rocky ground, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures for awhile, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.  God is not a fad that pleases you at one time and is to be discarded when you’ve grown weary of him and his leadership; it is a way of existence, meant to last a lifetime.

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        As for what is sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of the world and delight in riches choke the word and it proves unfruitful.  There is no purpose in attending your church, donating your time and money and then not faithfully abide by what we learn from God’s teachings; appearing as if you believe and do not care as much is seeming full but actually turning out to be void.

        And conclusively for what was sown in good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears ...

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