What is a parable and how do we interpret it?

Luke mentions many parables, some that are the most familiar are only recorded by him. We shall use the well-known parable of the sower as an example.

Parables like the sower are familiar but are not easy to interpret. There is a lot of mystery that surrounds even the most commonly referenced parable. Luke records an interpretation for this parable but, on closer inspection, it seems to raise more queries than answers.

About one third of Jesus' recorded teaching was in parables. He regularly used parables when speaking to crowds. At the time he was the latest sensation and drew a large number of inquisitive people. The people would be familiar with parables as they were often used by teachers at that time.

Parables differ from allegories. In allegories each detail or metaphor has significance. An example of an allegory is in Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus where he compares the protection that God provides to a suit of armour. Here, each piece of armour represents something. Parables are different. In parables there is one simple metaphor, a single comparison of importance.

Parables are straight-forward natural stories that are easily understood. They involve a simple drama where something happens. They are concise with no unnecessary descriptions, only one plot, one viewpoint. What is stressed at the end is usually of greatest importance. The listener will be able to relate to it, reflecting on their experience or thinking. It draws a response by raising a question in the hearer’s mind. They will usually identify with the main character and, by applying it to their own life, it brings a challenge.

An Old Testament example is where Nathan challenged David after his terrible actions. The important point is at the end causing David to be angry and Nathan to be able to say "You are the man". The parable was a means to make David aware of the impact of his actions.

Kingdom of God

We are still in the section of the gospel where Jesus is explaining the Kingdom of God. The parables are sometimes referred to as parables of the kingdom, a means by which Jesus describes the Kingdom of God to people. They require an involvement that needs more than mere listening. Similarly, when we read them, they require study and thought.

Example Parable of the Sower

Therefore, using the principles about understanding parables, by identifying ourself with the main character, it is saying that if we sow the seeds of the kingdom, even though some will be lost at the edges, we will reap a miraculous harvest.

However, the explanation that Luke includes gives meanings to the different types of soil, which is to be expected in an allegory but not a parable. On first reading you could assume that the explanation was spoken by Jesus at the time. However, on closer inspection, the explanation is likely to have been added later reflecting some thinking in the early church and not directly from Jesus e.g. a phrase like "word of God" is more likely to have come from someone in the early church, but not Jesus himself. The early church was influenced by Greek thinking which tended towards allegories as opposed to the Hebrew thinking about parables. This does raise a question of how to view the allegorical application to parables. We still approach the bible having essentially been brought up within a framework of Greek thinking and are more comfortable with interpreting allegories rather than parables. As these allegorical comments are in the bible they will have some relevance but perhaps not as significant as the main meaning of a parable. The inclusion of an interpretation in this passage does not therefore add clarity but gives an allegorical overlay that can result in the original meaning of the parable being obscured.

When interpreting parables we should primarily use the rules, the framework of parables, i.e. identify with the main character, and find one metaphor usually linked to the ending and apply this to our lives.  Allegories may sometimes be considered but should be viewed as secondary points of interest with limited application. In this passage it is understandable that the early church suffering persecution and rejection included allegories for the seeds that fell on stony ground etc. and compared the good seed with holding fast and perseverance. However, the seed producing a miraculous harvest is the main insight into the Kingdom of God, and this applies to all ages and circumstances.