What is a "Parable"?

Definition: "At its simplest a parable is a metaphor or simile  drawn from nature or common life,  arresting the hearer by its vividness or strangeness,  and leaving the mind in sufficient doubt about its precise application  to tease it into active thought." (C. H. Dodd, The Parables of the Kingdom, New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1961, p. 5)

Implications of this definition:

• The meaning of most parables is not so obvious, or at least it shouldn't be. If we assume we know what Jesus is talking about, we are probably missing the main point; if we are too familiar with the story (having heard it so often before), we might not think carefully enough about its real meaning.

• Most parables contain some element that is strange or unusual. They should cause you to say, "Wait a minute! That's not how farmers do their work! That's not what kings usually do! That's not what normally happens in nature!" And this strange element should cause you to think!

• Parables do not define things precisely, but rather use comparisons to describe some aspect of how God acts or interacts with human beings. Yet to say "A is like B" does not mean that "A is identical to B in all respects"; so one should be careful not to misinterpret or misapply the parables.

"Parables"; by James C. Christensen; from Swoyer's Fine Art & Collectibles

We might think that Jesus spoke in parables to make it easier for people to understand his message. According to the Gospels, however, he surprisingly does NOT expect everyone to understand them! This is clearly expressed in Matthew 13:10-17:

10 Then the disciples came and asked him, "Why do you speak to them [the crowds] in parables?"
11 He answered, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.
12 For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.
13 The reason I speak to them in parables is that 'seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.' (cf. Isa 6:9-10)
14 With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says: 'You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive.
15 For this people's heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn--and I would heal them.'
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.
17 Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.

"Have you understood all this?" They [the disciples] answered, "Yes." (Matt 13:51)

And he said to them [the disciples], "Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables?" (Mark 4:13)

With many such parables he spoke the word to them [the crowds], as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples. (Mark 4:33-34).

Biblical Terminology:

The Greek word parabolh (parabolē) is used a total of 50 times in the New Testament (17 times in Matthew, 13 in Mark, 18 in Luke, and twice in Hebrews, but never in John). It always refers to some type of “figure of speech” or “literary comparison”; it is usually translated “parable” in English, but sometimes also “lesson” (Mark 13:28; Matt 24:32), “proverb” (Luke 4:23), “symbol” (Heb 9:9), or “figuratively speaking” (Heb 11:19, all in the NRSV).

Greek parabolē is used in the following NT verses:

• Mark 3:23; 4:2, 10, 11, 13a, 13b, 30, 33, 34; 7:17; 12:1, 12; 13:28
• Matthew 13:3, 10, 13, 18, 24, 31, 33, 34a, 34b, 35, 36, 53; 15:15; 21:33, 45; 22:1; 24:32
• Luke 4:23; 5:36; 6:39; 8:4, 9, 10, 11; 12:16, 41; 13:6; 14:7; 15:3; 18:1, 9; 19:11; 20:9, 19; 21:29
• Hebrews 9:9; 11:19

A related Greek word, paroimia (paroimia), which also refers to some type of “figure of speech,” is used only in John 10:6; 16:25; 16:29; and 2 Peter 2:22.

Not all the stories or figures of speech identified by biblical scholars as parables are explicitly called “parables” in the New Testament itself. This page lists all Gospel texts normally identified by scholars as parables, as well as related texts dealing with Jesus' use of parables.

Where Are the Gospel Parables?

From the following tables, you will note that Mark has only few parables and related images; Matthew adds quite a few more; and Luke has by far the most parables in the New Testament, including some of the most famous ones. The non-canonical Gospel of Thomas also contains quite a few parables that are also found in one or more of the Synoptics. In contrast, John's Gospel never uses the word "parable" and has only few very images that are even similar to the parables of the Synoptic Gospels. To compare the texts of parables that appear in two or more of the Gospels, see The Five Gospel Parallels website.

Parables and Parabolic Images in the Gospel according to Mark:

Shepherd and Sheep (John 10:1-16)

Vine and Branches (John 15:1-8)

Recommended Readings:

• John R. Donahue, S.J. The Gospel in Parable. Philadephia: Fortress, 1988.
• Mary Ann Getty-Sullivan. Parables of the Kingdom: Jesus and the Use of Parables in the Synoptic Tradition. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2007.
• Kevin Perrotta and Amy Welborn. Parables: Stories of the Kingdom. Six Weeks with the Bible. Chicago: Loyola Press, 2003.
• Barbara E. Reid, O.P. Parables for Preachers: The Gospel of Matthew, Year A. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2001.
• Barbara E. Reid, O.P. Parables for Preachers: The Gospel of Mark, Year B. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1999.
• Barbara E. Reid, O.P. Parables for Preachers: The Gospel of Luke, Year C. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2000.
• C. H. Dodd. The Parables of the Kingdom. New York: Scribners, 1961.
• Joachim Jeremias. Parables of Jesus. New York: Scribners, 1954-1972 (various editions).

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