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Hermeneutics
Parables and Allegories
Definition of a Parable
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- The Greek parabolh, is a compound term,
composed of para, (“beside”) and ba,llein (“to
throw or cast”), yielding literally “a casting
beside.” The dominant idea is a comparison
between two things, frequently an earthly story
that demonstrates a spiritual reality.
Definition of a Parable
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Ellison provides an excellent definition when he
describes a parable as
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a figurative history, true to life, designed for the pedagogical
purpose of conveying some specific spiritual truth, usually
relative to the kingdom. . . . It has five constituent elements as
given in the definition. First, it is a narration containing a
sequence of actions. Second, it is true to life or within the
realm of probability. Third, it is artificial or designed, rather
than historical. Fourth, it represents the transference of
knowledge between two spheres, utilizing the known to teach
the unknown. Fifth, its obvious purpose is to convey some
truth belonging to the sphere of religion, i.e., relative to the
kingdom (Stanley A. Ellison, “The Hermeneutics of
Parables” (Th.D. diss., Dallas Theological Seminary, 1964),
61-62).
General Guidelines for Interpreting
Parables
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Interpret a parable in light of its context, paying
special attention to the occasion which gave rise
to the parable.
Thoroughly understand the physical story before
making the transfer to the spiritual realm.
Understand the central thrust of the parable,
then relate the details appropriately.
Avoid importing a theological system into a
parable, or reading much more into it than
would have been clear to its original hearers.
The Importance of Considering the
Whole Story

“The kingdom of heaven
is like . . .”
The Main Topic for Jesus’
Parables:
The Kingdom of God
Northern
Kingdom
722
BC
United
King.
7
Southern
Kingdom
586
BC
Prophets predict a coming
king and kingdom
1000 years
“Mysteries of the
Kingdom” (Matt 13)
New
heavens
& earth
Jesus’ Turn to a Parabolic Ministry
in the Argument of Matthew’s
Gospel
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Three Major Movements within Matthew’s Gospel
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The Presentation of Jesus Christ as the Indisputable King of
the Jews (1-10)
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Genealogy and Birth of the King (1-2)
Forerunner of the King (3)
The Moral Character of the King (4)
The King’s Manifesto (5-7)
The King’s Power (8-10)
The Rejection of Jesus as King (11-12)
Jesus’ Ministry in Light of His Rejection (13-28)
“Mysteries of the Kingdom” in
Matthew 13
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Eight parables in all, four to the multitudes at
large and four to the disciples in private.
Of these eight, three are interpreted by Christ
Himself:
Parable of the Four Soils
 Parable of the Wheat and the Tares
 Parable of the Dragnet
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The remaining five are not interpreted, and four
of these five have been the subject of much
debate.
Parable of the Mustard Seed (13:3132)
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The Physical Story
Two Views
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Abnormal growth with implications of evil.
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A mustard seed cannot properly and normally produce a magnificent and far-spreading
tree. It must be recognized that Jesus was describing something out of the ordinary,
something unnatural. The mustard is an herb and not a tree, and if it so happen that
the mustard plant, which is naturally small and unobtrusive, pass out of the stage of the
yellow flowering herb of beauty to that of a great and mighty tree with branches, then
both process and result are abnormal and unnatural (G. Campbell Morgan, The Parables
of the Kingdom, p. 101).
Tremendous growth from a small beginning.
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What, to the eye of flesh, could be less magnificent, what could have less of promise
than the commencements of the kingdom of God in the person of the Son of man?
He grew up in a distant and despised province; till his thirtieth year, did not emerge
from the bosom of his family,—then taught for two or three years in the neighboring
towns and villages, and occasionally at Jerusalem; made a few converts, chiefly among
the poor and unlearned; and then falling into the hands of his enemies, without an
attempt on his own part or his followers to release him, died the shameful death of the
cross: such, and so slight, was the commencement of the universal kingdom of God
(Richard Trench, Notes on the Parables of Our Lord, p. 94).
See Ezek 17:23 and Daniel 4:11-12 for “birds of the air”
Parable of the Leaven in the Meal
(13:33)
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The Physical Story
Two Views
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The leaven is good and refers to the permeating influence of
the gospel.
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What is the primary support for this view?
The leaven is evil, whether in the form of false doctrine,
hypocrisy, or some other apostasy. Though it will have a
small start in the kingdom, it will eventually permeate it
entirely.
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When leaven is used metaphorically in the NT it always refers to evil
(Matt 16:6; 1 Corinthians 5:6,7; Galatians 5:9).
Parable of the Hidden Treasure
(13:44)
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The Physical Story
Three Views
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The treasure represents the kingdom and speaks of its great value.
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The treasure represents the nation of Israel.
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Cannot be, because the whole story must be considered.
Based on KJV rendering of Exo 19:5 and Psa 135:4.
The treasure represents spiritual truth about the kingdom that Christ is
revealing in parables.
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This explanation accounts for the “hiddenness” of the treasure and the
subsequent “rehiding” in the parable. From a revelatory standpoint Christ
“discovered” these truths about the kingdom’s mysteries and promptly rehid
them in parabolic form until such time as He could complete a purchase of
the world, which is the scene of the fulfillment of these mysteries (Robert
Thomas, unpublished exegetical digest).
Cf. Prov 2:4, 8:21; 2 Cor 4:7; Col 2:2-3; 2 Tim 1:14.
Treasure in the parable of the householder (Matt 13:52).
Parable of the Costly Pearl (13:45-46)
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The Physical Story
Three Views (linked to the Parable of the Hidden Treasure)
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The pearl is the kingdom of heaven
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The pearl is the church
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Difference is in the manner of discovery!
In this parable, the same thought was presented as in the preceding one; only
here, the pearl seemed to represent the church rather than Israel. In the
world of gems, the pearl is uniquely formed organically. Its formation occurs
because of an irritation in the tender side of an oyster. There is a sense in
which the church was formed out of the wounds of Christ and has been
made possible by His death and sacrifice (John Walvoord, Thy Kingdom Come,
p. 105).
The pearl is spiritual truth about the kingdom
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From where else in Scripture could this be substantiated?
“Do not cast pearls to swine, nor deliver wisdom to him who does not know
its worth” (From the Talmud, as cited in Broadus, Matthew, p. 158).
Definition of an Allegory
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While a parable is an extended simile, an allegory is an
extended metaphor. A primary distinction between these
two literary devices is that a parable keeps
interpretation or meaning separate from the story, while
an allegory intertwines story and meaning.
Examples from Scripture:
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Lady Wisdom (Proverbs 8 and 9)
Israel as Unproductive Vineyard (Isaiah 5:1-7)
Jesus as the Good Shepherd (John 10)
The Vine and the Branches (John 15)
The Armor of God (Ephesians 6)
Guidelines for Interpreting
Allegories
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Note the points of comparison that are
explained or interpreted in the passage (see
exercises on pp. 223-225).
Do not press details of allegories beyond what is
reasonable.
Determine the main point of the allegory.
Next Week: Prophecy
Look for “Mysteries of the Kingdom”
in your mailbox!