About Him – The Word
Insights From Parables and Allegory in the Bible
Introduction
The Word is written in a way that has many layers of meaning
“All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them,” Matthew 13:34
- Parables are simple memorable stories that carry a deeper meaning within them once you see it
- The parable of the prodigal son…the kingdom celebrates and welcomes repentant sinners back.
- Allegory uses people or things to model and represent important themes or ideas
- Light and Darkness = Truth illuminates falsity, Slavery and Freedom = Bondage to sin, Set free
- Similitudes are a type of allegory where simple every day things explain how more complicated things work.
- “The word of God is like a seed spread, some take root in good soil, others wither and die on the ricks”
- Exemplars are stories about People’s behavior in a situation which set a good example for others to follow
- There was good Samaritan who helped a stranger at his own great expense…
The paradox of parables is that by giving messages in an indirect manor they result in a more effective engagement and response from an audience interested in understanding them.
Key Parables, Allegory, Similitudes and Exemplars
Each bible parable reveals one or more truths or guiding principles.
Read the story, discern the inner meaning, and reflect on your life to see how well you are applying the message.
| Parable | Lesson | Reference (Click To go) |
| The Sower | The Kingdom advances based on heart receptivity to God’s word | Matthew 13:3–23 |
| The Wheat and the Tares | The Kingdom grows amid opposition until final judgment | Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43 |
| The Mustard Seed | The Kingdom starts small but grows beyond expectation | Matthew 13:31–32 |
| The Leaven | The Kingdom transforms from within, invisibly but powerfully | Matthew 13:33 |
| The Hidden Treasure | The Kingdom is worth total surrender | Matthew 13:44 |
| The Pearl of Great Price | True seekers recognize the supreme value of the Kingdom | Matthew 13:45–46 |
| The Dragnet | Final separation is inevitable; not all who mix belong | Matthew 13:47–50 |
| The Ten Virgins | Readiness and perseverance matter for Kingdom entry | Matthew 25:1–13 |
| The Talents | Faithfulness with what God entrusts determines accountability | Matthew 25:14–30 |
| The Sheep and the Goats* | Final judgment reveals true allegiance through lived obedience | Matthew 25:31–46 |
| The Good Samaritan | Kingdom love crosses boundaries and costs something. Have mercy and help others | Luke 10:29-37 |
| The Rich Fool | Earthly security without God leads to ruin | Luke 12:16–21 |
| The Prodigal Son | Repentance restores relationships, self-righteousness resists grace. | Luke 15:11-32 |
| Allegory | Lesson | Reference (Click To go) |
| The Rich Man and Lazarus | Learn and apply the Bible messages while there is time | Luke 16:19-31 |
| The True Vine | God is the source of everything, You can do nothing alone, Follow him to bear fruit | John 15: 1-8 |
| The Lost Sheep | God cares about each of His lost children | Matthew 18:10-14 |
| The Two Sons | Believe and actually start to follow God, don’t wait | Matthew 21:28-32 |
| The Pharisee and The Tax Collector | Be humble and Confess your sins | Luke 18:9-14 |
| The Lost Coin | Heaven celebrates each person that confesses sins and repents | Luke 15:8-10 |
| The Persistent Widow | Be persistent in Faith and in Prayer | Luke 18:1-8 |
| The Invited Guests | Focus your resources on those that need help | Luke 14:7-14 |
| The Unforgiving Servant | Forgive others the way God forgives you | Matthew 18:23-35 |
| The Heart of Man | Watch what you say… words come from your heart | Matthew 15:10-20 |
| The Lamp | You need to do be a visible model serving His kingdom | Matthew 6:14 |
The Garden as a Simile
- All good things take time – Sow, Nurture, Mature, Blossom, Fruit, Harvest
- The Mustard Seed – All big things start small but will grow if you nurture them – (Matthew 13:31-32)
- You reap what you sow – (Galatians 6:7)
- The Generous giver – Sow Generously to Reap Generously – (2 Corinthians 9:6)
- The Sower – Nurture things if you want them to grow – Faith, Gifts, etc – (Matthew 13:3-23)
- The Growing Seed – God works invisibly inside you once you start to follow him – (Mark 4:26-29)
- Sow into Flesh to yield destruction. Sow into Spirit for life – (Galatians 6:8)
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