In the context of biblical study, the term "illustrate" refers to the use of accounts, parables, metaphors, and examples to convey spiritual truths and moral lessons. The Bible is replete with illustrations that serve to illuminate the teachings of God, making them accessible and relatable to its readers.

Parables of Jesus

One of the most prominent uses of illustration in the Bible is found in the parables of Jesus. Parables are simple, metaphorical accounts that convey deeper spiritual truths. Jesus often used parables to teach His followers about the Kingdom of God, human behavior, and divine principles. For instance, the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9) illustrates the different responses to the Word of God, using the imagery of seeds falling on various types of soil. Jesus explains, "The seed sown on good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it" (Matthew 13:23).

Metaphors and Similes

The Bible frequently employs metaphors and similes to illustrate complex ideas. In Psalm 23:1, David writes, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want" , using the metaphor of a shepherd to describe God's guidance and provision. Similarly, Jesus refers to Himself as "the bread of life" (John 6:35), illustrating His role as the sustainer of spiritual life.

Old Testament Illustrations

The Old Testament is rich with illustrations that convey God's character and His relationship with His people. The account of the Exodus, for example, serves as a powerful illustration of God's deliverance and faithfulness. The crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22) is a vivid depiction of God's power and protection, symbolizing the liberation from bondage and the journey towards the Promised Land.

Prophetic Illustrations

Prophets in the Bible often used symbolic actions and vivid imagery to illustrate their messages. The prophet Ezekiel, for instance, was instructed to perform symbolic acts to convey God's impending judgment on Israel (Ezekiel 4:1-3). These illustrations served to capture the attention of the people and underscore the seriousness of the prophetic message.

Illustrations in the Epistles

The epistles of the New Testament also contain numerous illustrations to explain theological concepts. The Apostle Paul frequently uses the metaphor of the body to describe the Church, as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 . He writes, "For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also is Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:12). This illustration emphasizes the unity and diversity within the body of Christ.

Conclusion

Illustrations in the Bible serve as powerful tools for teaching and understanding. They bridge the gap between the divine and the human, making spiritual truths tangible and memorable. Through parables, metaphors, and symbolic actions, the Bible communicates its timeless messages in ways that resonate with believers across generations.1. (v. t.) To make clear, bright, or luminous.

2. (v. t.) To set in a clear light; to exhibit distinctly or conspicuously.

3. (v. t.) To make clear, intelligible, or apprehensible; to elucidate, explain, or exemplify, as by means of figures, comparisons, and examples.

4. (v. t.) To adorn with pictures, as a book or a subject; to elucidate with pictures, as a history or a romance.

5. (v. t.) To give renown or honor to; to make illustrious; to glorify.

6. (a.) Illustrated; distinguished; illustrious.

3877. parakoloutheo -- to follow closely, to investigate
... from 3844 , "from close-beside" and 190 , "follow") -- properly, follow closely,
especially through a ; follow after closely to resemble (illustrate, play out ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3877.htm - 7k

What Peculiarly Tends to Illustrate and Recommend to us the ...
... Divine Election and Reprobation Article 15 What peculiarly tends to illustrate
and recommend to us the eternal and unmerited grace of? ...
/.../various/the canons of dordt/article 15 what peculiarly tends.htm

Parallels from the Prophets to Illustrate Christ's Teaching in the ...
... Jesus is the Christ of the Creator. Chapter XXIX."Parallels from the Prophets to
Illustrate Christ's Teaching in the Rest of This Chapter of St. Luke. ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxix parallels from the prophets.htm

I Cannot More Illustrate the Sense, or Extol the Judgment...
... Address 80: I cannot more illustrate the sense, or extol the judgment?
I cannot more illustrate the sense, or extol the judgment ...
/.../address 80 0 0 i cannot more.htm

Three Similes to Illustrate the Word's Relation to the Universe.
... Against the Heathen. Section 43. Three similes to illustrate the Word's
relation to the Universe. And for so great a matter to be ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 43 three similes to.htm

This Presupposed Truth and the Historical Accounts Mutually ...
... IN GENERAL. Section 3. This presupposed Truth and the Historical Accounts
mutually confirm and illustrate each other. But as man's ...
/.../section 3 this presupposed truth.htm

The Case of the Thief and of David, and of Our Call in Order to ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter XI. The case of the thief and of David, and of our
call in order to illustrate the grace of God. For if we ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xi the case of.htm

The Divine Commands which are Most Suited to the Will Itself ...
... A Treatise on grace and free will, Chapter 4."The Divine Commands Which
are Most Suited to the Will Itself Illustrate Its Freedom. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 4 the divine commands which.htm

Third Proposition of Arminius
... The first theory is this, that God determined from eternity to illustrate his own
glory by mercy and justice: and as these could be exercised in fact only in ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/third proposition of arminius.htm

China Inland Mission Normal Training College, Hwochow, Shansi
... St. John which illustrate the statement: "He knew what was in man.". ... Oblongata?
Explain the process of "Hearing." Illustrate with diagrams. ...
/.../china inland mission normal training.htm

Idea of the Parable. --Distinction Between Parable, Fable, and ...
... to a lower (eg, those of men to brutes); while in the former, the lower sphere is
kept perfectly distinct from the higher one which it serves to illustrate. ...
/.../the life of jesus christ in its historical connexion/section 68 idea of the.htm

Illustrate (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Illustrate (1 Occurrence). Mark 4:30 He said, "How will
we liken the Kingdom of God? Or with what parable will we illustrate it? ...
/i/illustrate.htm - 7k

Parable (52 Occurrences)
... ordinarily signifies an imaginary story, yet one that in its details could have
actually transpired, the purpose of the story being to illustrate and inculcate ...
/p/parable.htm - 38k

Eve (5 Occurrences)
... Paul used this account to illustrate woman's inferiority to man, and he undoubtedly
accepted it at its face value without any question as to its historicity. ...
/e/eve.htm - 16k

Prayers (99 Occurrences)
... Thus the three prayers on the cross not only reveal the intimate relation of our
Lord to the Father, but they also illustrate prayer such as man may offer. ...
/p/prayers.htm - 51k

Imputation
... He introduces the subject of Adam's relation to the race to illustrate his doctrine
of the justification of sinners on the ground of a righteousness which is ...
/i/imputation.htm - 39k

Zeruiah (25 Occurrences)
... of the last two reasons may be the correct one, and plenty of parallels from the
village names of boys today can be produced to illustrate both explanations. ...
/z/zeruiah.htm - 17k

Needle (4 Occurrences)
... be accepted in the same sense as Matthew 23:24, "Ye blind guides, that strain out
the gnat, and swallow the camel!" Christ used them to illustrate absurdities. ...
/n/needle.htm - 10k

Ostraca
... The texts of some 2,000 of these have been published, principally by Wilcken
(Griechische Ostraka, 2 volumes, 1899), and serve to illustrate in unexpected ways ...
/o/ostraca.htm - 10k

Jailer (8 Occurrences)
... by habit, and also disposed to despise the Jews, who were the bearers of the message
of the gospel," is one of those cases which illustrate its universality ...
/j/jailer.htm - 9k

Leaven (24 Occurrences)
... Its secretly penetrating and diffusive power is referred to in 1 Corinthians 5:6.
In this respect it is used to illustrate the growth of the kingdom of heaven ...
/l/leaven.htm - 21k

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