The Purpose of Parables
Wednesday Nights 2025 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Wednesdays, 2025.
Emphasis: Study the Word; Grow in the Word!
Mark 4:10-12, Mark 4:33-34.
What were the purposes of parables?
Basic Premise: Those not believing do not understand spiritual things.
Mark 4:10–12 “10 When he was alone, those around him with the Twelve asked him about the parables. 11 He answered them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to those outside, everything comes in parables 12 so that they may indeed look, and yet not perceive; they may indeed listen, and yet not understand; otherwise, they might turn back and be forgiven.””
Matthew 13:10–16 “10 Then the disciples came up and asked him, “Why are you speaking to them in parables?” 11 He answered, “Because the secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given for you to know, but it has not been given to them. 12 For whoever has, more will be given to him, and he will have more than enough; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 That is why I speak to them in parables, because looking they do not see, and hearing they do not listen or understand. 14 Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says: You will listen and listen, but never understand; you will look and look, but never perceive. 15 For this people’s heart has grown callous; their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; otherwise they might see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn back— and I would heal them. 16 “Blessed are your eyes because they do see, and your ears because they do hear.”
Parable (παραβολη) = to throw alongside (a story)
BDAG— (1) something that serves as a model or example pointing beyond itself for later realization; a type or figure (2) a narrative or saying of varying length, designed to illustrate a truth especially through comparison or simile; comparison, illustration, parable, proverb, maxim.
Mystery (μυστηριον) = mystery or secret
BDAG— (1) the unmanifested or private counsel of God, (God’s) secret, the secret thoughts, plans, and dispensations of God which are hidden from human reason, as well as from all other comprehension below the divine level, and await either fulfillment or revelation to those for whom they are intended (used in the Gospels and Pauline writings)
Wuest’s Word Studies in the Greek New Testament Chapter Four
The word mustērion (μυστηριον) as used in Scripture means “the secret counsels of God which are hidden from the ungodly but when revealed to the godly, are understood by them.” The mystery is not in the fact that they are difficult of interpretation, but that they are impossible of interpretation until their meaning is revealed, when they become plain. The disciples had been initiated into these secret things.
To those outside (εκεινοις τοις εξω) = referring to those who are not believers.
On the citation from Isaiah 6:9-10:
The third possibility is to see these stern words in their Old Testament context of Isaiah 6:9–10, where it is plain that it is Israel herself who has obstinately shut her eyes and ears against God’s pleading. Israel’s blind condition is therefore culpable and a judgment which they have brought upon themselves; and so it is inevitable that they should fail to understand. This is probably the best solution to adopt. We can add to this the theological truth that God has willed that those who so refuse to accept his truth shall remain blind: in this sense, it is all within his purpose, and we can justify the so that. (Cole, R. Alan. 1989. Mark: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 2. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)
Mark 4:33–34 “33 He was speaking the word to them with many parables like these, as they were able to understand. 34 He did not speak to them without a parable. Privately, however, he explained everything to his own disciples.”
Matthew 13:33–35 “33 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and mixed into fifty pounds of flour until all of it was leavened.” 34 Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables, and he did not tell them anything without a parable, 35 so that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: I will open my mouth in parables; I will declare things kept secret from the foundation of the world.”
v. 33— explained is from επιλυεν
Wuest’s Word Studies in the Greek New Testament Chapter Four
The verb is epiluō (ἐπιλυω). Luō (Λυω) means “to unloose.” The prefixed preposition epi (ἐπι) is perfective in its force, and makes the composite word mean “to give additional loosening,” so as to explain, make plainer and clearer, the Word of God, even to the point of revelation.
