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THE PARABLES OF JESUS:Learning from the Master

Yezdi Bhada, Ph.D., CMA

Trinity ChurchAdult Bible StudyJan. – Mar. 2014

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

THE PARABLES OF JESUSIntroduction to the Study

• Who? When? Where? What will we be doing? • Why study these parables? • How should I approach the

study?• What is a parable?• Interpreting parables• A sample study of a familiar



Why study the parables of Jesus?• Christ Jesus, The Son of God, is the most credible

source for truth, the Kingdom of God, and righteous living

• He has the authority (Matt. 7:28)• He teaches us what we need to know (Matt.

13:34-35)– Opens door for the Holy Spirit to continue our

sanctification • He has the attributes of a Master Teacher:– has a powerful and relevant message– has the ability to communicate in a brief, simple,

thought-provoking, instructive, and intelligent way to help us learn.



How should we approach the study?1. Read the parable carefully: Focus on the message data

– May need to read several times and/or more than one translation

– Capture (describe) the scenario2. Research the context

– What prompted Jesus to tell this parable?– Consider the cultural and historical setting for that time – To whom is this parable addressed?

3. Process transference to real issue(s)– Make the connection between the data and the desired

meaning 4. Recognize the message and other items of interest

– What is the message of truth and God’s Kingdom that He is projecting?

– Are there other lessons that can be learned?5. Remember this message as it impacts you personally



What is a parable?• Derivation: Parabole (Greek); Mashal/Mathla (Hebrew)• A method of communicating an idea from speaker to

hearer• Building a bridge from the natural to the spiritual• Pictorial stories with definite learning objectives• Videoing a familiar image to project truth• In NT, used as a figure of speech in many different forms:

– Simile =emphatic and vivid similarity between two situations

– Similitude = image with distinctive familiarity– Metaphor = implied characteristic likeness between

situations– Analogy = resemblance between two otherwise unlike

situations– Story = specific incident to evoke interest and motivate

attention– Allegory = fictional story that needs subjective use of



Interpreting parables:• Parables are not mere words from Jesus; they are

meant to make a real difference in our lives • It is up to each one to personally understand the

parable, make the proper transference, and perceive the truth

• Be cognizant of the gap between the time of Christ and today:– Parables were never spoken in a vacuum– Consider the historical, cultural, religious,

literary and linguistic contexts • Do not let your imagination run wild


THE PARABLES OF JESUSThe Sower and the Soils

Reason for selecting this as the first parable:• It begins with the origins of God’s Kingdom• Jesus said it was easy to understand (Mark 4:13)• Jesus Himself explains it (Matt.13:18-23; Mark

4:14-20; Luke 8:11-15)

Learning from the parable:1. Read the parable: describe the scenario• Matt. 13:3-9; Mark 4:2-9; Luke 8:4-82. Research the context 3. Process transference to real issue(s)4. State the message and additional items of interest5. What did I learn from the message?



2. Research the context– What prompted Jesus to tell this parable?

• Multitudes were coming to Him – opportunity to clarify His ministry

• He had recently rebuked Pharisees and hinted on His role (Matt 12)

– Consider the cultural and historical setting for that time• First Century Palestine was a predominantly

agricultural society• Israelites were familiar with sowing for wheat (staple

diet) crops• All objects included in the parable had been used in the

OT• Israelites could relate to image of God as sower and

people as soil• Form of the parable is a classic pattern in oral folklore

– To whom is this parable addressed?Tuesday, January 28, 2014


3. Process transference to real issue(s)• Significant components: Sower, seeds and 4 types of

soil• “sower sowed” = Jesus, God, preachers/teachers, YOU/

ME • “seeds” = the Word, life-giving wisdom, thoughts, deeds• “besides the road” = non-receptive, hardened heart,

callous hearers• “birds ate them” = the evil one, naysayers, unholy

friends/family• “rocky places”; “not much soil”; “no depth of soil” =

ready to buy whatever is sold; no strength of character; shallow heart

• “immediately sprang up” = emotional response; superficial acceptance

• “sun--- scorched”; “no root --- withered” = lose interest fast; retreat under challenging circumstances;



SowerSeedsbesides

roadbirdsrocky

places,not much

soilsun-

scorchedthornschokedgood soil

Jesus/God; preachers/teachers; usThe Word; Kingdom of God; thoughts,

deedsHardened heart; non-receptive; callous

hearersSatan & followers; misguided friends/

family/mediaShallow- heart; seemingly good, but no

depth Superficial; short-term emotional

acceptance Easily lost; retreat under challenging

conditionsStrangled heart; worry-warts; worldly



4. The message and additional items of interest• Jesus’ is spreading the message of new life and

God’s kingdom on earth• He recognizes that the message will not be

accepted by all. There will be those who will not respond appropriately to the message: the hardened hearts, weak characters and/or temporally influenced individuals

• But, there will be those who will choose His gift of salvation / eternal rewards and be spiritually productive

• As Believers, our duty is to continue His work by spreading the Word throughout the world, and let “he who has ears, let him hear”.



5. What did I learn from this parable (my take-aways)?

• God has given me His Word and I should be willing to receive it with an spiritually open heart

• I am also expected to be a sower of His Word

• I can not expect all seeds to fall on good soil, and it is not for me to judge how others respond

• My own field can have road-sides, rocky


THE PARABLES OF JESUS:Pertaining to “The Kingdom of God”

Read Parable of the Seed Growing [Mark 4:26 – 29]Description of Jesus’ word-picture:• Man casts seeds on soil -> rests -> crops grow

secretly through stages -> harvested when ready

Context:• Jesus teaching “The Kingdom of God” concepts

to followers• Continuing on foundation laid for parable of

Sower/Seeds• There may have been some zealots who wanted

to push their will with revolutionary tactics• Same cultural and historical setting as with

previous parable


THE PARABLES OF JESUS:Parable of the Growing Seed

Item pictured• Kingdom of God• Sower• Seeds• ‘goes to bed”• “gets up”• Seed sprouts ->

grows• “himself not know”• “produces crop by

itself”• “blade – head –

grain”

Projected image• Spiritual reality; God’s truth• Man, preachers/teachers, us• The Word; wisdom; thoughts;

deeds• Rests; completes phase; waits• Conscious; perceiving• Productive process of

conversion• Secretive; incomprehensible• Unexplainable process;

mysterious• Progression: germinate,


THE PARABLES OF JESUS:Parable of the Growing Seed

The Message and additional items of interest:• We are to faithfully spread the wisdom that Jesus has

provided with complete dependence on God to produce the harvest.– Be fishers of men: you catch ‘em, he’ll clean ‘em

• The harvest does not depend on our secular wisdom, skills or zeal, but on God’s miraculous process of growth.

• We need to be patient since the growth process may take time and go through various stages

• Growth of the Kingdom is promised, harvest is inevitable, and will be fulfilled at the right time [Matt.24:14]

What did I learn from this lesson?• I am to do His will and He will take my participation


16

RETENTION OF LEARNING

10 % of what we read.

26 % of what we hear.

30 % of what we see.

50 % of what we see and hear.

70 % of what we discuss with others.

80 % of personal experience.

90 % of what we say as we do it.

95 % of what we teach.Source: Jenny Johnson, “Individualization of Instruction, “Faculty Focus, Fall 1996.


THE PARABLES OF JESUS:Parable of the Tares among Wheat

Read the parable of Tares among Wheat: Matthew 13:24 – 30

• Description of word-picture (tell the story to someone):

Context: • Jesus continuing on foundation for multitudes• Cultural/ historical considerations as in previous

parables• Significant OT connections, particularly Book of

Daniel• Sabotaging a neighbor’s field by spreading weeds

was not uncommon. In fact, there were Roman laws against sowing tares in someone else’s field

• The weed mentioned in Matthew was “darnel”, a poisonous fungus found mainly in the Middle-East, which looked similar to wheat as the two plants matured



From data to desired image: Explained in Matt. 13:37-42

• “man who sowed” = “Son of Man” = “belongs to man” = Jesus

• “his field” = the world; the Church • “good seed” = “sons of the kingdom” = belongs to

Jesus = us• “men were sleeping” = resting from their labor; not

staying alert • “the enemy” = the devil, Satan• “ tares” = darnel; sons of the evil one = non-

believers/opponents• “slaves” = servants; Believers; the righteous [v.43] • “harvest” = final judgment; “end of the age” [Daniel



The message and additional items of interest:• The evil one does exist and will make every

effort to sabotage God’s work• Satan will be active until the end of the ages• Good and evil exist today, but will be separated

in the end• We need to be patient and faithful; let God take

over– Be fishers of men: you catch ’em, He’ll clean

‘em• We are called to be witnesses, not lawyers or

judges. • It is difficult to distinguish between believers

and non-believers and our actions could result



What did I learn from this parable?• I need to stay alert at all times since

the evil one is lurking to deceive me• I have to accept the fact that there are

evil ones on this earth• It is not for me to judge whether

someone is a Believer or not• It is my duty to pray, worship, witness,

wait; and have faith in God to achieve ultimate results

• I am assured a place in God’s Kingdom.


THE PARABLES OF JESUSParables Regarding Lamps

LAMP 1 : Read Matt. 5:14-16; Mark 4:21-22; Luke 8:16-18

• Description:Context:• Part of Sermon on the Mount• Clarification of discipleship responsibilities• Jesus often used image of light / lamps;

common items• Lamp (with floating wick) usual form of

lighting, even in daytime• Lampstand: usually niche in wall of house



Transference from word picture to meaning:• “You are the light of the world” = personal

responsibility to carry the Gospel message• City set on a hill cannot be hidden = Jesus standing

atop the mountain; His message can not be buried• V.15: enlightenment is not to be kept unused, but is

given for edification of all those who need the wisdom

• V.16: people who have the true knowledge of God are to enlighten others through their walk

• “Glorify your Father” = Show your love for God by doing His will

• [Mark & Luke] “nothing hidden … to be revealed … no secret … should come to light” = truth/Gospel will & should be revealed; – could also refer to sins that may be concealed,

but will be made known at time of final judgmentTuesday, January 28, 2014


Message and other points• The world is in spiritual darkness and Jesus is the

light-giver– The sinful nature of man can clearly be seen in

light of Jesus’ message – Jesus’ message of salvation should be openly

spread to the world• We are to be light-bearers by proclaiming the

Gospel – It is every Believer’s responsibility to convey His

message– Being a Believer should not be a secret, but

should be used for furtherance of His Kingdom • Our lives need to reflect His sinless character



What did I learn?• I have the responsibility to project Jesus’

message to the world• I can serve God’s Kingdom through my walk

and my talk– The presence of sin darkens my life and

should be avoided at all cost– There is the need for learning from His

Word to be effective in spreading the Gospel



LAMP 2 : Read Luke 11:33-36• Reiterates start of previous parable, but moves

to new inputContext:• Starts with familiar picture, then changes

direction• Responding to blaspheming Pharisees and other

opponents– Cast out demon – claimed it was work of devil

[v.14-26]– Reference to “wicked generation” [v.29]– Challenging Him to prove Himself [v.29 para.]

Transference:• “lamp of body is eye” = eye is gate to perception

of reality



Message and other inputs:• Jesus is telling non-believers that He has

illuminated the world with The Word that can save them

• However, to receive the truth, one needs an open heart

• A receptive heart soaks one’s life in God’s blessings

• Those who have “seen the light” need to be careful and not permit sin to blur perception of righteousness

• Sin inhibits us from incorporating God’s truth in our lives


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THE PARABLES OF JESUS: Learning from the …storage.cloversites.com/trinitychurch6/documents/THE...• Christ Jesus, The Son of God, is the most credible source for truth, the Kingdom