Parables: How Do You Correctly Interpret Them?
Many people are a little intimidated by parables when they stumble accross them in the word of God, particularly in the New Testament. Some say that they are hard to understand, others don't want to really take the time to seek the Lord for His intended meaning regarding them. However, today, we want to provide you with a few tips to help you correctly interpret parables so that you will enjoy and gain life from the amplification of the doctrinal passages of the Bible.
So, just what is a parable? Dictionary.com defines a parable as a short allegorical story designed to illustrate or teach some truth, religious principle, or moral lesson. Jesus often used parables in His teachings for many purposes:
5 Purposes Jesus used parables: (non-exhaustive)
1.) Reveal truth to believers
2.) Hide truth from unbelievers
3.) Make known mysteries by comparison with known things
4.) To add truth to thos who wanted truth
5.) To fulfil prophecy
In the Old Testament, parables are categorized into three classes:
1.) Story Parables - for example, see Judges 9:17-15
2.) Sermon Parables - for example, see Isaiah 5:1-7
3.) Symbolic Parables - for example, see Ezekiel 37:15-22
In the New Testament, the word parable takes on a varying form and is not confined to the categories aforementioned. Widely known as Christ parables, they offer a little more flexibility not always containing all of the perequisites necessary in the old testament to be named a parable.
So, how do you interpret them? We should first warn that it is by way of the spirit of God that all Scripture is interpreted properly. No systematic way of interpretation allows for the forfeiture of praying and studying while seeking God for His revelation. However, here are few tips we learned from Kay Arthur's book, How to Study Your Bible(1) to aid you as you seek Him!
1.) Determine the occasion of the parable. Since parables clarify or emphasize a truth, search out the Why or What of the parable. Why was it told? What prompted it? (1)
2.) Look for the explanation of the meaning of the parable. This can be done by really looking at the context o the parable, specifically the interpretation of the parable that Jesus gave to the hearers. (1)
3.) Identify the central or focal idea of the parable. Every parable has a central theme or idea to be learned. (1)
4.) Since a parable has one central point of emphasis, you must identify the relevant details and the irrelevant details. Relevant details always reinforce the central point, as all the details in a parable do not have significance. (1)
5.) Interpret parablesin the context of the culture of Bible times rather than the culture of today. A book on the customs of Bible times or a good Bible dictionary can help shed light on many of these traditions. (1)
6.) Parables should never be the primary or only source for establishing doctrine. Parables amplify or affirm doctrine, rather than establish it, because parables are more obscure than clear doctrinal passages. (1)
It is our prayer that you will study the parables of the Bible with a new understanding and a fresh perspective.
Source:
(1) Arthur, Kay. How To Study Your Bible. Eugene: Harvest House,1994.