it only leads to disagreements and/or misunderstandings.
Why wouldn't the son of god be straightforward about something of such importance?
2007-02-21 14:45:02 · 23 answers · asked by Samurai Jack 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jesus talked in parabolas because he couldn't talk straight.
2007-02-21 14:51:41 · answer #1 · answered by ivorytowerboy 5 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Good question for a change... ignorance is the answer. His audience had absolutely no education (no such thing as public education then). As such, it was a challenge to explain concepts in a way they could understand. The result is the parable. Simple stories with a moral, comprehendable to the populace.
2007-02-21 22:52:25 · answer #2 · answered by waynebudd 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Our Lord Jesus understood that truth is not sweet music to all ears. Simply put, there are those who have neither interest nor regard in the deep things of God. So why, then, did He speak in parables? To those with a genuine hunger for God, the parable is both an effective and memorable vehicle for the conveyance of divine truths. Our Lord’s parables contain great volumes of truth in very few words—and His parables, rich in imagery, are not easily forgotten. So, then, the parable is a blessing to those with willing ears.
But to those with dull hearts and ears that are slow to hear, the parable is also an instrument of both judgment and mercy. How can this be? Bible commentator John MacArthur explained, “…judgment because it kept them in the darkness that they loved (cf. John 3:19); but mercy because they had already rejected the light, so any exposure to more truth would only increase their condemnation.”
2007-02-21 23:16:42 · answer #3 · answered by Freedom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because of the hardness of the hearts of the people he spoke in parables trying to get them stirred up so they would be teachable and start asking questions so they could find the truth and find forgiveness and love, then they could beleiveJESUS was who he said he was ,the SON OF GOD. When the heart becomes soft the word will get in to work on us,and true repentance comes about. Parables made them think!
2007-02-21 23:19:56 · answer #4 · answered by charmingdove 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
parables where used to make the ppl of the times understand the point that he was trying to get across... we can get confused now because we do not understand some of the metaphors that the ppl of the time did...
a sort of example, its not a parable but its an example for my point.. do you know the story of the fig tree? where jesus cursed the tree bcuz it had no fruit and said that it should b cut down and a new tree planted?... to us it seems confusing and strange, but to the ppl of the time the fig tree stood for wisdom. great thinkers would sit under fig trees to think. when jesus cursed the fig tree and said it should be chopped down, he was refering to the fact that the jews of the time weren't doing anything for the ppl, the pharisees were corrupt. he said that it should b removed and that a new tree, Christianity, should take its place... at least this is what i was lead to believe
does this help in any way?
2007-02-21 22:54:39 · answer #5 · answered by Nightstalkr 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Jesus spoke in parables because most of the people who heard Him could not understand the things He was saying. He explained this, but I can't remember the reference.
2007-02-21 22:51:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anne 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He revealed the meaning of the parables to His chosen people, but the parables were a mystery to the opposing and the rejecting Jews who would not understand them in their natural mind (i.e. Matt 13, parable of the Sower). Anyone who genuinely seeks Him, He will reveal these mysteries (parables).
2007-02-21 23:14:07 · answer #7 · answered by shami 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1 Corinthians 1:18
(For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.)
So the disagreements and/or.... are for the ones who's ears are not really listening or searching godly answers. ;-)
So he talked in parables to draw the serious to Him. For along with all the crowds that followed Him each day, there were those who followed for the miracles and food and healing...but not the truth of His coming and work here on earth. ;-)
God bless you today!
2007-02-21 22:54:04 · answer #8 · answered by skygirly62 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because people of that time were mostly illiterate as education was on reserved for the elite classes and the priesthood. Most were fishermen, shepherds, goatherds and peasants.
Jesus had to teach in stories to appeal to the various levels of wisdom and mindset, each will gather his own "virtue" or "moral of the story" from the parables according to their individual intellectual and spiritual capabilities.
2007-02-21 22:52:03 · answer #9 · answered by Tiara 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The parables attributed to Jesus by his followers who wrote the gospels are all old stories, some of them dating as far back as the Buddha (Sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes).
As a catch-all for mystical religions known up untill that time, it goes without saying that the stories are confusing, contradictory, and devoid of all but the most obtuse meaning.
If you want to spend time reading good stories with morals, etc., try Aesop or Charles Dickens.
2007-02-21 22:51:26 · answer #10 · answered by nora22000 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Jesus used issues that people were familiar with
to get across his message!
Using examples that everyone can relate to is an excellent way to reach the audience!
You watch TV, why don't you criticize their advertising!
Too, where do you get the authority and from what level to criticize Jesus Christ?
Why not try following His commandment to LOVE rather than picking at His word!
2007-02-21 22:55:06 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋