Parable
From BibleWiki
(Gr. parabole), a placing beside; a comparison; equivalent to the Heb. mashal, a similitude. In the Old Testament this is used to denote (1) a proverb (1Sam 10:12; 1Sam 24:13; 2Chr 7:20), (2) a prophetic utterance (Num 23:7; Ezek 20:49), (3) an enigmatic saying (Ps 782; Prov 1:6). In the New Testament, (1) a proverb (Mk 7:17; Lk 4:23), (2) a typical emblem (Heb 9:9; Heb 11:19), (3) a similitude or allegory (Mt 15:15; Mt 24:32; Mk 3:23; Lk 5:36; Lk 14:7); (4) ordinarily, in a more restricted sense, a comparison of earthly with heavenly things, "an earthly story with a heavenly meaning," as in the parables of Jesus.
Instruction by parables has been in use from the earliest times. A large portion of Jesus' public teaching consisted of parables. He himself explains his reasons for this in his answer to the inquiry of the disciples, "Why speakest thou to them in parables?" (Mt 13:13ff; Mk 4:11f; Lk 8:9f). He followed in so doing the rule of the divine procedures, as recorded in Mt 13:13.
The parables uttered by Jesus are all recorded in the Synoptic Gospels. The fourth Gospel contains no parable properly so called, although the illustration of the good shepherd (Jn 10:1f) has all the essential features of a parable. (See List of Parables)
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