Parables of the Prisoner of War
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The concept of a prisoner of war is not directly addressed in the parables of Jesus, yet the themes of captivity, redemption, and spiritual warfare resonate throughout His teachings. The parables often illustrate the spiritual bondage of sin and the liberation offered through Christ, drawing parallels to the physical and emotional captivity experienced by prisoners of war.

Spiritual Captivity and Redemption

In the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), the younger son finds himself in a form of captivity, not through physical chains, but through the consequences of his own choices. His journey to a distant country and subsequent destitution symbolize the spiritual exile and bondage that sin brings. The son's eventual return to his father and the father's gracious reception illustrate the redemption and freedom available through repentance and reconciliation with God. This parable echoes the plight of a prisoner of war who longs for freedom and restoration.

The Strong Man and Spiritual Warfare

The parable of the Strong Man (Mark 3:27) speaks to the necessity of overcoming spiritual forces to achieve liberation. Jesus states, "Indeed, no one can enter a strong man’s house to steal his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house." This imagery suggests a battle against spiritual captors, akin to the struggle faced by prisoners of war. The "strong man" represents the forces of evil that hold individuals in bondage, and Christ is the one who binds these forces, offering deliverance and victory.

The Unforgiving Servant

In the parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:21-35), the servant's refusal to forgive a fellow servant results in his own imprisonment. This parable highlights the spiritual captivity that results from an unforgiving heart. Just as a prisoner of war may be held captive by external forces, individuals can be held captive by internal sins such as unforgiveness. The parable underscores the necessity of forgiveness as a means of spiritual liberation, reflecting the broader biblical theme of freedom through Christ.

The Good Samaritan

While not directly about captivity, the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) addresses the theme of compassion and aid to those in distress. The beaten and robbed man, left for dead, can be seen as a metaphor for those who are spiritually or physically captive. The Samaritan's actions demonstrate the call to assist and liberate those who are bound by circumstances beyond their control, much like the call to aid prisoners of war.

The Lost Sheep

The parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:3-7) illustrates the shepherd's relentless pursuit of the one sheep that has gone astray. This pursuit mirrors the divine initiative to rescue those who are lost and captive to sin. The shepherd's joy upon finding the sheep reflects the heavenly celebration over one sinner who repents, emphasizing the value of each soul and the lengths to which God will go to secure their freedom.

Conclusion

The parables of Jesus, while not explicitly about prisoners of war, convey profound truths about spiritual captivity and the hope of redemption. Through these accounts, Jesus reveals the nature of sin as a form of bondage and the power of His grace to liberate and restore. The themes of forgiveness, compassion, and divine pursuit resonate with the experiences of those who have faced captivity, offering a message of hope and freedom through Christ.
Nave's Topical Index
1 Kings 20:39-41
And as the king passed by, he cried to the king: and he said, Your servant went out into the middle of the battle; and, behold, a man turned aside, and brought a man to me, and said, Keep this man: if by any means he be missing, then shall your life be for his life, or else you shall pay a talent of silver.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Christ Teaching by Miracles
... from them, as we did with the parables in the ... into the powder magazine on board the
man-of-war. ... room held their breath, declared that the prisoner was guilty. ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/christ teaching by miracles.htm

Christ Teaching Humility
... we have another of our Saviour's parables in which ... he allowed himself to be taken
prisoner, though he ... During the war of the American Revolution, the commander ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/christ teaching humility.htm

The Mystery
... is applied to doctrine, as Psalm 78.v.2. "I will open my mouth in parables, I will ...
"And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and departed to make war with the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the mystery 2.htm

1 Cor. xiii. 4
... accomplishes her good things, and without war and battle ... boast of this matter, and
call thyself a prisoner? ... must also account as lies all parables and figures ...
/.../homily xxxiii 1 cor xiii.htm

The Epistle of St. James
... Which sums up the teaching of parables like those of Matthew ... of my mind and makes
me a prisoner'; Peter spoke of the passions of the flesh that wage war on the ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the epistle of st james.htm

Jacob Boehme's Influence in England
... Nature will be an open Book of Parables in which he ... in 1658, and for many years a
prisoner for his ... the German mystic's account of the eternal war between the ...
/.../chapter xii jacob boehmes influence.htm

The Sixth vision "On Earth"
... His confederates (their war "with the Lamb"). ... reckon it one year (2 Kings 24:8),
when Nebuchadnezzar came against Jerusalem, and sent him a prisoner to Babylon ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision on earth.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... disobedience' (Ephesians 2:2). These reminiscences are alluded to in the
prologue of the Holy War:". 'When Mansoul trampled upon ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

[Endnotes]
... "Exposition of the Parables," Vol. i.[p.2. [23:2] Isaiah 35:5, 6. [23:3] See John
5:13, ix.1, 6, 25, 36. [23:4] Mark 2:6, 7, 10, 11, iii.5, 22. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/endnotes.htm

part i
... It is plainly proved by the actual state of some sinners and by the nature of sin
itself"to keep the man its prisoner and to close every outlet to him. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part i.htm

Resources
What is the meaning of the Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the parables of fasting at the wedding feast, the old cloth, and the wineskins? | GotQuestions.org

What is a parable? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Parables

Parables of a Vine of Egypt

Parables of Aholah and Aholibah

Parables of Lions' Cubs

Parables of the Garment Which Was Torn in Pieces

Parables of the Husbandman

Parables of the Lamb

Parables of the Prisoner of War

Parables of the Skins Filled With Wine

Parables of the Thistle and Cedar

Parables of the Trees

Parables of the Two Eagles

Parables of the Vine

Parables of the Vineyard

Parables of the Woman of Tekoa

Parables: Furnished House

Parables: Parables of Christ: Barren Fig-Tree

Parables: Parables of Christ: Beam and Mote

Parables: Parables of Christ: Blind Leading the Blind

Parables: Parables of Christ: Builder of a Tower

Parables: Parables of Christ: Children of the Bride Chamber

Parables: Parables of Christ: Cloud and Wind

Parables: Parables of Christ: Creditor and Debtors

Parables: Parables of Christ: Faithful, and Evil Servants

Parables: Parables of Christ: Fig-Tree Leafing

Parables: Parables of Christ: Good Samaritan

Parables: Parables of Christ: Good Shepherd

Parables: Parables of Christ: House, Divided Against Itself

Parables: Parables of Christ: Importunate Friend

Parables: Parables of Christ: Importunate Widow

Parables: Parables of Christ: King Going to War

Parables: Parables of Christ: Kingdom, Divided Against Itself

Parables: Parables of Christ: Labourers Hired

Parables: Parables of Christ: Leaven

Parables: Parables of Christ: Lighted Candle

Parables: Parables of Christ: Lost Piece of Silver

Parables: Parables of Christ: Lost Sheep

Parables: Parables of Christ: Man of the House Watching

Parables: Parables of Christ: Man Taking a Far Journey

Parables: Parables of Christ: Marriage-Feast

Parables: Parables of Christ: Meats Defiling Not

Parables: Parables of Christ: Men Bidden to a Feast

Parables: Parables of Christ: Mustard-Seed

Parables: Parables of Christ: Net Cast Into the Sea

Parables: Parables of Christ: New Cloth and Old Garment

Parables: Parables of Christ: New Wine and Old Bottles

Parables: Parables of Christ: Pearl of Great Price

Parables: Parables of Christ: Pharisee and Publican

Parables: Parables of Christ: Pounds

Parables: Parables of Christ: Prodigal Son

Parables: Parables of Christ: Rich Fool

Parables: Parables of Christ: Rich Man and Lazarus

Parables: Parables of Christ: Savour of Salt

Parables: Parables of Christ: Seed Growing Secretly

Parables: Parables of Christ: Sower

Parables: Parables of Christ: Strong Man Armed

Parables: Parables of Christ: Talents

Parables: Parables of Christ: Tares

Parables: Parables of Christ: Ten Virgins

Parables: Parables of Christ: Treasure Hid in a Field

Parables: Parables of Christ: Tree and Its Fruit

Parables: Parables of Christ: Two Sons

Parables: Parables of Christ: Unclean Spirit

Parables: Parables of Christ: Unjust Steward

Parables: Parables of Christ: Unmerciful Servant

Parables: Parables of Christ: Vine and Branches

Parables: Parables of Christ: Wicked Husbandmen

Parables: Parables of Christ: Wise and Foolish Builders

Parables: Remarkable Parables of the Old Testament

Parables: The Athlete

Parables: The Boiling Pot

Parables: The Farmer

Parables: The Gourd

Parables: The Mercenary Soldier

Parables: The Mirror

Parables: The Sheet Lowered Down from the Sky (In Peter's Vision)

Parables: The Two Covenants

Related Terms

Spake (704 Occurrences)

Spoke (799 Occurrences)

Understand (208 Occurrences)

Parable (52 Occurrences)

Speak (855 Occurrences)

Balaam (62 Occurrences)

Debtor (7 Occurrences)

Debt (48 Occurrences)

Farmer (17 Occurrences)

Subtil (3 Occurrences)

Subtlety (3 Occurrences)

Speaking (376 Occurrences)

Subtilty (9 Occurrences)

Subtle (5 Occurrences)

Millennium

Taught (134 Occurrences)

Joy (422 Occurrences)

Matthew (5 Occurrences)

Saying (2162 Occurrences)

Vine (76 Occurrences)

Able (730 Occurrences)

Mark (182 Occurrences)

Mystery (31 Occurrences)

Prophet (315 Occurrences)

According (7613 Occurrences)

Seeing (442 Occurrences)

Round (664 Occurrences)

Rest (831 Occurrences)

Proverb (24 Occurrences)

Paraclete

Vineyard (69 Occurrences)

Vat (7 Occurrences)

Kept (891 Occurrences)

Naphtali (51 Occurrences)

Utter (111 Occurrences)

Understood (63 Occurrences)

Using (88 Occurrences)

Olves

Jotham (26 Occurrences)

Listening (47 Occurrences)

Galilee (73 Occurrences)

Granted (102 Occurrences)

Withdrew (55 Occurrences)

Watchtower (9 Occurrences)

Wealthy (22 Occurrences)

Wealth (340 Occurrences)

World's (21 Occurrences)

Winefat (2 Occurrences)

Winepress (19 Occurrences)

Indeed (628 Occurrences)

Foundation (82 Occurrences)

Finished (157 Occurrences)

Farmers (23 Occurrences)

Fulfill (80 Occurrences)

Fulfilled (143 Occurrences)

Fulfil (60 Occurrences)

Fable

Followers (37 Occurrences)

Twelve (176 Occurrences)

Thence (152 Occurrences)

That'seeing (2 Occurrences)

Tenants (18 Occurrences)

Receiving (72 Occurrences)

Riddles (5 Occurrences)

Rented (4 Occurrences)

Outside (215 Occurrences)

Exquisite

Departed (270 Occurrences)

Dark (234 Occurrences)

Drive (132 Occurrences)

Didn't (734 Occurrences)

Dug (45 Occurrences)

Digged (37 Occurrences)

Multitudes (72 Occurrences)

Message (222 Occurrences)

Meaning (41 Occurrences)

Miss (7 Occurrences)

Mysteries (11 Occurrences)

Perceived (57 Occurrences)

Parables of the Lamb
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