Why Did Jesus Preach in Parables?

Jesus preached with parables throughout the gospels.

What are parables?

Parables are short, didactic stories that express a moral lesson or principle. The parables use allegory to express important truths about the Kingdom of God.

The Parables in the Bible

There are a lot of different parables in the gospels. The content of the stories relate to a number of familiar settings in the lives of the crowds to whom Jesus preached.

He shared stories about farmers, shepherds, workers, landowners, servants, kings, rich men, moneylenders, widows, judges, families, virgins, bridegrooms, and even a Samaritan. These were all familiar roles, images, and experiences, but they were placed within stories that challenged conventional wisdom of the time.

Why did Jesus preach in parables?

The disciples asked Jesus this very question:

“The disciples approached him and said, ‘Why do you speak to them in parables?’” (Mt 13:10).

So, why does Jesus preach to the crowds of people in parables? He answers, “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted” (Mt 13:11).

The parables teach people who have not yet become disciples what God is like. They express what it will take to become a disciple.

Rather than demanding people follow him, Jesus explains in stories how much God loves them and what they should do in response.

Jesus didn’t teach in parables; he proclaimed salvation in
parables. Each parable conveys something essential about the
kingdom of God.


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