Parabolic Hearing / Parable
-
📖 Introduction. An understanding of parables is essential if one is to understand the teaching of Jesus, since the parables make up approximately 35 percent of his recorded sayings. At no point are the vitality, relevance, and appropriateness of his teaching so clear as they are in his parables. While the parable form is not unique to Jesus, he was certainly a master at using parables as a way of teaching. The parables are not merely illustrations for Jesus’ preaching; they are the preaching, at least to a great extent. Nor are they simple stories; they have been truly described as both “works of art” and “weapons of warfare.” How one interprets the parables is not as easy a task as one might think. The way one understands the nature of a parable and the essence of Jesus’ message obviously will determine the method and content of interpretation. 1Elwell, W. A., & Beitzel, B. J. (1988). Parable. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 2, p. 1606). Baker Book House.
Both hearing – but only one understands 📖 The parables of Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels are similes or metaphors, sometimes extended into narratives, which involve everyday life and objects and typical events of households, farms, and royal courts. They are a primary means of Jesus’ teaching, closely connected to the main focus of his teaching, the coming of the kingdom of God. 2Myers, A. C. (1987). PARABLE. In The Eerdmans Bible dictionary (p. 793). Eerdmans.
That’s a nice concise definition. However, it doesn’t get into why Jesus used parables. We must include that as well.
📖 The primary purpose of the parables is to reveal some aspect of the coming of the kingdom of God in the person and teaching of Jesus. But Jesus also intended that the parables conceal his teaching while being a vehicle for it (Mark 4:11–12). Even the disciples of Jesus did not understand the parables without fail (v. 13). But their adherence to Jesus caused them to seek (v. 10) and to receive (vv. 14–20) understanding of the parables. Understanding is made subject to whether a listener is willing to identify with Jesus or wishes to remain “outside” (i.e., to hold Jesus and his claims at arm’s length). The disciples’ inquiry arose from commitment and was itself hearing (Matt. 13:16), which was in contrast with others’ failure to hear (vv. 14–15). 3Myers, A. C. (1987). PARABLE. In The Eerdmans Bible dictionary (p. 794). Eerdmans.
Parabolic Hearing, as when Jesus told parables
Much is written about the use of parables in the Bible. Such as this compilation from four different books.
❓ What is “Christ’s parabolic ‘hearing’ formula” and why is it called parabolic?
🤖✨ Christ’s parabolic “hearing” formula refers to his use of symbolic communication that operates with a dual purpose.1 2 The term “parabolic” describes both the method and its function: the formula indicates that Christ’s message will enlighten some but blind others3, mirroring how parables inherently work.
When Jesus uses this phrase through John in Revelation, he signals that what follows will be parabolic or symbolic in nature3. The parabolic aspect is closely linked to Isaiah 6:9–10’s hardening commission and functions as one means by which people are blinded4. However, the formula carries redemptive intention alongside judgment: parables are intended to have a jolting effect on the remnant who have become complacent among the compromising majority, and may even awaken pseudo-believers to genuine conversion4.
The formula is “parabolic” because the symbolic visions of Revelation 4–21 are parabolic portrayals of the more abstract, propositionally expressed exhortations, warnings and promises of the letters1. Symbolic parable appears whenever ordinary warnings are no longer heeded, and no warning will ever be heeded by people who are spiritually callous and intent on continuing in disobedience4. Rather than straightforward instruction, Christ shifts to enigmatic imagery—beasts, dragons, horsemen—designed to penetrate spiritual lethargy.
Since the church has become compromising and spiritually lethargic with idolatrous allegiances, the parabolic method reveals to believers the horrific, beastly nature of the idolatrous institutions they’re tempted to identify with3. The formula thus announces that meaning-making requires spiritual discernment—true hearing—not mere auditory reception.
1 G. K. Beale, John’s Use of the Old Testament in Revelation, ed. Stanley E. Porter, Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement Series (Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1998), 166:315–316.
2 G. K. Beale, The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, Cumbria: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 1999), 239.
3 G. K. Beale and David H. Campbell, Revelation: A Shorter Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2015), 58.
4 G. K. Beale, “Revelation (Book),” in New Dictionary of Biblical Theology, ed. T. Desmond Alexander and Brian S. Rosner (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000), 361.
Parabolic Hearing / Parables in Revelation
So we see, while we generally think of the parables as being the symbolic / “parabolic” type of teaching, scholars point out that Revelation chapters 4 through 21 are largely similar writing. The big difference, if course, is that with Jesus’ parables, people in His time knew exactly what the parable was about – at least from the straightforward simple obvious point of view.
As we’re told in Isaiah though, those same people didn’t truly understand the intended, deeper, parabolic meaning of the words.
Isaiah’s Commission – Isaiah
...
Isa 6:9 He said, “Go and tell this people:
“ ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding;
be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’
Isa 6:10 Make the heart of this people calloused;
make their ears dull
and close their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts,
and turn and be healed.”
...
Now, believers have the Holy Spirit to understand the deeper meaning.
And yet, I can’t help but wonder, how much of the deeper meaning can we actually relate to if we don’t take the time to understand the simple meaning? Here’s what I mean. The people in Jesus’ time got the point of something like the parable of the sower, from the image above. That’s because most, if not all of them, planted things. And so, they could relate, at least to some extent, to the deeper meaning.
But today, most people don’t plant things. So, if we don’t understand the core base of Jesus’ message, how much can we really carry forward to our lives today, when we don’t know what’s involved in growing things in the ground? And if we can’t do that, how much meaning can we truly relate to the deeper message? And, if we don’t take the time to learn about things like context, language differences, culture, etc., how much do we lose?
I dare say, we lose a lot. My own experience, going from the more “standard American consumer” of the Bible, to someone who loves to get into what Jesus Jewish listeners would have heard and known – I know how much more I get from reading the Bible now. I know how much I would’ve missed.
No – I’m not saying 100% understanding is needed to be saved. Even a mustard seed sized faith is commended. And I don’t know about rewards in Heaven – especially when Paul talks about crowns, and yet the elders lay their crowns at Jesus’ feet. But I do know how much more I get in this life – feeling God’s kind of love, peace, joy – the fruit of the Spirit. Just the feeling of doing God’s will, with His strength, it’s amazingly different from before. It’s transformation on so many levels.
So – I do wonder, how much do we miss out on by just assuming we get it, and we’re happy with that?
So – what is a parable?
At its core, a parable is one set of words that tell two stories. One that can be understood with life experience alone – assuming we have that experience, or at least know about it. But the other one, it cannot be understood without the Holy Spirit.
Unlike the people in Jesus’ time, we do have the opportunity to have the Holy Spirit in us. That began in the Book of Acts – with Pentecost.
I find it interesting that in Jesus’ time, the people couldn’t understand, no matter how much they wanted to. But now, so many don’t seem to feel that much of a need to understand.
Footnotes:
- 1Elwell, W. A., & Beitzel, B. J. (1988). Parable. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 2, p. 1606). Baker Book House.
- 2Myers, A. C. (1987). PARABLE. In The Eerdmans Bible dictionary (p. 793). Eerdmans.
- 3Myers, A. C. (1987). PARABLE. In The Eerdmans Bible dictionary (p. 794). Eerdmans.
Discover more from God versus religion
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.