Topical Encyclopedia
The use of parables in the teachings of Jesus Christ is a significant aspect of His ministry, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and demonstrating His role as the Messiah. Parables, as a method of teaching, were prophesied in the Hebrew Scriptures and were employed by Jesus to reveal truths about the Kingdom of God to those with ears to hear, while concealing these truths from those who were spiritually blind.
Old Testament PropheciesThe prophetic anticipation of the Messiah teaching in parables is found in
Psalm 78:2, which states, "I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old." This verse, attributed to Asaph, is a clear foretelling of the Messiah's use of parables as a teaching tool. The psalmist speaks of revealing hidden truths through parables, a method that Jesus would later employ extensively in His ministry.
Fulfillment in the New TestamentThe fulfillment of this prophecy is explicitly acknowledged in the New Testament. In the Gospel of Matthew, it is recorded that Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, fulfilling the words of the prophet.
Matthew 13:34-35 states, "Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables. He did not tell them anything without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: 'I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.'"
Jesus' use of parables served multiple purposes. It was a means of revealing the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven to His disciples while simultaneously concealing these truths from those who were not open to His message. This dual purpose is highlighted in
Matthew 13:10-13 , where the disciples ask Jesus why He speaks to the people in parables. Jesus responds, "The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them... This is why I speak to them in parables: 'Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.'"
Significance of Parables in Jesus' MinistryThe parables of Jesus are a profound element of His teaching, illustrating moral and spiritual lessons through simple, relatable accounts. They cover a wide range of themes, including the nature of God's Kingdom, the importance of readiness and vigilance, the value of forgiveness, and the call to genuine discipleship. Parables such as the Sower, the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, and the Mustard Seed are among the most well-known and have been the subject of extensive theological reflection and interpretation.
The use of parables also served to fulfill the Messianic role of Jesus as the ultimate teacher and revealer of divine truth. By teaching in parables, Jesus not only fulfilled the specific prophecy of
Psalm 78:2 but also demonstrated His authority and wisdom as the Son of God, who came to reveal the hidden mysteries of God's redemptive plan.
In summary, the prophecy concerning the Messiah's use of parables was fulfilled in the ministry of Jesus Christ, as He taught profound spiritual truths through simple yet powerful accounts. This method of teaching not only fulfilled Old Testament prophecy but also underscored the depth and accessibility of His message to those who were willing to listen and understand.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Matthew 13:34,35All these things spoke Jesus to the multitude in parables; and without a parable spoke he not to them:
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
The Hebrew Prophecies.
... common denominator for this collection of prophecies.". ... several interesting critical
inquiries respecting the component ... him in insisting, that Christ could not ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter v the hebrew prophecies.htm
Subject Index
... the history of symbolical, [1290]492. Isaiah, his prophecy respecting the virgin ...
Israel. Christ is King of, [1292]267. applied to Christ, [1293]262. ...
/.../irenaeus/fragments from the lost writings of irenaeus/subject index.htm
The Greater Prophets.
... Respecting the authenticity of this narrative there has been much ... (4.) Christ himself
recognizes ... refers to the future fulfilment of one of his prophecies as a ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm
The Gospels in General
... clear teaching contained in this Gospel respecting the divinity ... each one portraying
the life of Christ in his ... It is filled with prophecies that await fulfilment ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the gospels in general.htm
An Analysis of Augustin's Writings against the Donatists.
... So is their affirmation that Scripture prophecies about the ... on the part of the Donatists
respecting the restriction ... the Church, as the body of Christ was not ...
/.../chapter ii name analysis of.htm
The Historical Books. 1 the New Testament...
... to establish in accordance with the prophecies of the ... to show that Jesus is the Christ,
the Son ... consisted essentially in false views respecting our Saviour's ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxix the historical books.htm
An Essay on the Scriptural Doctrine of Immortality.
... almost be regarded as an epitome of these prophecies. ... that Noah, by "the spirit of
Christ" which was ... We are farther informed respecting Noah's preaching, which ...
/.../an essay on the scriptural.htm
On the Interpretation of Scripture
... about the authorship, as, for example, that respecting St ... who maintain that the roll
of prophecies is completed ... Paul, Christ died.' A confusion of the heart and ...
/.../on the interpretation of scripture.htm
part i
... them enter into his heart, which Jesus Christ alone ought ... words of the God of glory
are fulfilled every time ... becomes jealous of the glory of His righteous, ever ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part i.htm
part ii
... hope, has saved me. But you, my brethren, have you all faith in Christ,
in His Gospel? Where is your evangelical life? Who of you ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm
Resources
How can I identify messianic prophecies in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.orgHow many prophecies did Jesus fulfill? | GotQuestions.orgWhat biblical prophecies were fulfilled in AD 70? | GotQuestions.orgProphecies: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
