FREE ESSAY ON NEW TESTAMENT PARABLES

NEW TESTAMENT PARABLES

1. Topic: Parables of Jesus in the Gospels. Mt 13:10-15, Mk 4:10-12, Lk 8:9-10 (The
Purpose of Parables); Mt 13:31-32, Mk 4:30-32, Lk 13:18-19 (The Parable of the Mustard
Seed); Mt 25:14-15 (The Parable of the Talents); Mk 13:33-37 (Need for Watchfulness); and
Lk 19:12-13 (The Parable of the Ten Gold Coins). 
2. Context: The context for Matthew's parables is that they come right after the section
on mounting hostility to Jesus and his mission (in which Jesus establishes that every one
of His followers and who does the will of God is his brother and sister) and right before
more of Jesus' miracles and teachings outside Galilee. In Mark's Gospel, the preceding is
the same, but it is followed by more works in Galilee. Luke's parables also follow the
telling of Jesus' works and miracles. They are followed by His journey to Jerusalem. 
3. Relevant Footnotes: Matthew 13:11 - A parable is figurative speech and there is more
to it than just the story. One has to reflect on the story to understand its meaning. God
grants the gift to understand to his disciples but not to the crowds. This fulfills
Isaiah's prophecy. Matthew 13:31-33 - This illustrates how small the kingdom of God
starts out with the preaching and healing ministry of Jesus, and how big it will
eventually expand to. Matthew 25:14 - The interpretation is that one who uses his gifts
wisely will see the kingdom, but laziness will lead to exclusion. Mark 4:11 - The reason
for Parables, in Marks' view, is so the commoner, or disbelieving crowd, will not
understand the meaning and teachings of Christ, but only his disciples will, who
interpret it and can understand because of their faith. 
4. Comparison: The purpose of the parables is common to the three synoptic gospels. In
all three the same message is conveyed. However, Matthew's view or interpretation is much
subtler. He does not say that it is Jesus' purpose to confuse the crowds or keep the
meaning hidden. The Parable of the Mustard Seed is the same throughout all three gospels.
The third passages of each group are indeed different. The Parable of the Talents in
Matthew tells us that we should use our talents to their full extent to help others and
ourselves. This, and not laziness, will lead us into heaven. The Need for Watchfulness in
Mark conveys the message that we should always be ready for the coming of the Father. In
other words, we should try to be sin free at all times, because we do not know when it is
our time to go on to our next life, either in heaven, hell, or purgatory. The Parable of
the Ten Gold Coins in Luke has similar meaning as that of the Parable of the Talents, but
in a different context - gold coins instead of talents. It also tells about the conduct
of faithful and productive servants. 
5. Old Testament Cross-references: Matthew 13:14 - There is a reference to a prophecy by
Isaiah which says, "You shall indeed hear but not understand, you shall indeed look but
never see. Gross is the heart of this people, they will hardly hear with their ears, they
have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and
understand with their heart and be converted and I heal them." Matthew 13:32 - this can
be traced back to Ezekiel 17:23 which says basically the same thing, "on the mountain
heights of Israel I will plant it. It shall put forth branches and bear fruit, and become
a majestic cedar. Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it, every winged thing in the
shade of its boughs." A tree of the Lord will represent a dwelling for His people. Mark
4:12 and Luke 8:9 have the same reference as Matthew to Isaiah. Luke also has the same
reference to Ezekiel as Matthew. The rest of the passages have no Old Testament
cross-references. 
6. Commentary: Meaning of Parables -- Barclay says that for the meaning for the parables,
that the Greek word for secret is musteria. This originally meant to the New Testament
society, "something which was unintelligible to the outsider but crystal clear to the man
who had been initiated" (Barclay). In other words, Christianity can only be understood
from the inside, through a personal experience. So Jesus spoke in parables because
common, outsider, men could not see the truth in any other way. This was a deliberate act
of God. There was great despair felt for all the followers, but faith was the key to long
term happiness. Parable of the Mustard Seed - the mustard seed was not the smallest seed
in Palestine, but it was epitome of smallness. But at the same time, this little seed,
did turn into something like a tree. The kingdom of God starts as something very small
but will end with the following and gathering of many nations. "It is a fact of history
that the greatest things must always begin with the smallest beginnings" (Barclay). The
Parable of the Talents (Ten Gold Coins) - God says that you can have no religion without
adventure and a shut mind is useless. Every man is unique in the gifts that he receives.
The only thing that God asks is that these gifts be used to their full extent - one has
to at least try their hardest. The reward of a job well done is still more work. If a man
has a talent and uses it, his skill will increase. On the contrast, if a man has a talent
and does not use it, it will leave him. Be on the Watch - Jesus does not know exactly the
day of the Second Coming or the end of the world, for some things are still left up to
His Father. The parable simply tells us that we should live in a way that it does not
matter when the end comes. Everyday we must be ready to meet God face to face, and that
life is simply preparation for this. Further, we must never become obsessed with earthly
things and never forget God.