what is a Parable? What is it for?
2006-11-28 08:24:14 · 7 answers · asked by Kerilyn 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
A parable is a simile, an allegorical story. It addresses a subject by substituting different characters and situations to produce an insight in the listener that might be clearer than a straight presentation of facts.
A famous example is the Parable of the Good Samaritan, which illustrates what being a "good neighbor" means. Samaritans were despised and avoided by Jews, yet the one in the story rescued and cared for a Jewish stranger when other Jews would not. He was not the man's literal neighbor, yet he acted the way a neighbor should.
Another example is the Parable of the Weeds and the Wheat, in which Jesus compares the world to a wheat field in which an enemy has sown identical looking weeds. Rather than attempt to pull the weeds and damage the crop, Jesus suggests the farmer wait till harvest. He's actually talking about good and bad people, saying now is not the time to judge.
There is a passage that suggests Jesus used parables to confuse his enemies, yet the meanings are clear to nearly anyone who reads them. The main purpose of a parable is to break through conventional thinking to present a new kind of understanding.
2006-11-28 08:27:34 · answer #1 · answered by skepsis 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A parable is "an earthly story with a heavenly meaning"
Most scholars agree that parables never NAME any individual in the parable.
2006-11-28 16:30:03 · answer #2 · answered by kent chatham 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A parable is a story or illustration which makes a point about something else. ie Jesus compared the Christians collectively to the body, with himself as the head. Obviously, this is a figure of speech. It's just a way to help people understand better what is being said.
2006-11-28 16:27:55 · answer #3 · answered by Mithrandir 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A parable is a story that is meant to teach a moral lesson or religious principle.
2006-11-28 16:31:38 · answer #4 · answered by arewethereyet 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
basically, a parable is a real-life application of a spiritual or moral principle in order to make it more understandable.
2006-11-28 16:28:20 · answer #5 · answered by shorty 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
13:11 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.
2006-11-28 16:25:48 · answer #6 · answered by Royal Racer Hell=Grave © 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
a story that people can better relate to to explain spiritual matters.
2006-11-28 16:26:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋