Text: Matthew 13:13 "Therefore speak I to
them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not,
neither do they understand."
In the translation of J.N. Darby it is written
like that.
What is mentioned in this scripture is the purpose of parables.
Why does Jesus use parables when he talks to people? Why does God write parables in the Bible? Why is this book so full of parables? What is the reason for all this?
Someone said God uses parables to make us comprehend biblical truth more clearly. But, this scripture hardly agrees with that statement. Instead, it said that God wants the people not to understand biblical truths or mysteries. For this purpose, God uses parables. In other words, God wants to make a distinction among God's children and divide them into two. That is to say, God makes people "seeing see not, and hearing they hear not" and makes disciples to understand the mystery of kingdom of heaven. This distinction is made by parables.
Both disciples and people are the same on the point that both have the same Bible and hear the same words of Jesus. But, it is not permitted for the people to know the mystery of the kingdom of heaven. How is it possible for God to make a distinction between them through the same Bible? God says this distinction is made by parables. So, we can find some facts from this scripture.
One is that God does not want to reveal the mystery of the kingdom of heaven to all people. That is to say, if people, not disciples, read the Bible, God makes them "seeing see not; and hearing they hear not". This is done through parables. So, the wonder of a parable is this: everybody touches the scriptures equally, but yet there is a clear distinction.
Secondly, as a parable is given to distinguish people, it is basically difficult to understand. They are not easy to understand. But if we think otherwise, perhaps it is because we really don't understand them and are not even aware of our misunderstanding. Some parables seem easily understood in a glance. However, they have probably been misunderstood. We can understand them rightly only when the Lord gives us wisdom and help. If it is not given, we face a high possibility of being separated from understanding the parable.
For example, there are many parables in Revelation i.e. the beast with seven heads and 10 horns or the harlot Babylon. They are not a true animal nor a real person, but instead are figures of something. But, it is very difficult to interpret them. When we read a commentary of Revelation, their interpretations are various and different. Revelation is written in parable and the Lord's will is to reveal its word to his disciples, but not to every one.
It will never happen that every parable or mystery in Revelation will be revealed to every Christian. Instead, it will be revealed to a limited number of disciples, and will not be revealed to others at the end of the world. Because they are parables. The age of Jesus' second coming is similar to the age of his first coming. Although the Israelites, especially the Pharisees and the Scribes, have studied much and gained knowledge of the Bible, yet, they could not understand the prophecies and parables correctly. Therefore, they could not accept Jesus and as a consequence they received judgment from God. About 300 old testament prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus' life. But they did not understand them. Actually their eyes "seeing see not."
What was the reason of their mistake? Was their Bible study not effective? No, but, there was one important reason. The reason was they were not Jesus' disciples. Therefore, they could not understand the parables of the Bible. In other words, they were distinguished by a parable. I'd like to repeat this over again. Parables are not used to make stories comprehensible. Instead, they are used for distinguishing believers. It is also true for parables in Revelation.
Thus, the Bible clearly indicates the importance of understanding parables. But many people do not recognize their meaning. Even though the scribes and the Pharisees are earnest about their Bible studying, they are not Christ's disciples, so they do not understand parables.
At Jesus' first coming, their Bible study never saved them from judgment. They could not accept the messiah rightly but received judgment. So, we have this clear example and warning, so it is important for us to know the mysteries told through parables.
We can find many passages in Bible on where parables distinguish disciples from the people. For example, the apostle Paul proceeded from his understanding of parables among the disciples of Jesus. When we read his epistles, we can know the way to understand parables in the Bible.
Paul had a dispute with the brothers who came down from Jerusalem to the church of Antioch. This dispute centered about "the faith over against the law." ( For more details, see Acts 15 and Galatians). Both Paul and these Jews read the same Bible. However, each party came to completely different opinions and insisted on them. How did this difference take place? This is the difference between one who understands parables and one who does not. Interestingly enough about these Jews who insisted on "righteousness by the law," the Bible never calls them as "disciples," even though they are Christians. Because they had made such a journey to Antioch from Jerusalem for the sake of teaching, this could be evidence of their earnestness as Christians. But, they were not "disciples," but rather "the outer people" from parables.
In responding to their insistence of keeping circumcision or keeping the law, Paul replied to them with an understanding of biblical parables. For example, he understands the parable written within the description of the 2 sons of Abraham. He understands the parable of the son of liberty as the liberty found in Christ and the parable of the son of a slave as slave status under the law.
Concerning parables, there is one important thing. It is permissible for disciples to know the mystery of the kingdom of heaven and truth. But, this fact does not mean that disciples can understand the mystery of the kingdom of heaven without effort. Instead, he needs discipline.
Jesus rebuked his disciples when they could not deliver the evil spirit from the child. The authority to deliver evil spirits is given to disciples. But, when they are lacking in faith, prayer and fasting, this authority does not work effectively. Their discipline has been insufficient. Therefore, the Lord rebuked his disciples. Likewise, there needs to be an exercise in understanding of parables. If this exercise is insufficient, Lord will rebuke us as well with the same words of "and how then will ye know all parables?"
Therefore, it is important for us to continue training to understand parables. In the age of Jesus the disciples and the people are divided by parables. It is true even in this age. Many parables are hidden in the Bible, but these are revealed only to disciples who have enough training in parables. But, for the other people, it will be "hearing they hear not, neither do they understand."
Let's seek for the understanding of parables in the will of God.
end.