The Parables Of Christ

What is a Parable?

The Bible dictionary defines a parable as follows:

A parable was to veil the meaning. The parable conveys to the hearer religious truth exactly in proportion to his faith and intelligence; to the dull and uninspired it is a mere story. It reveals the mysteries or secrets of the kingdom of heaven. Only he who seek finds.

Parable is a Greek word meaning setting side by side or comparison. In parables divine truth is presented by comparison with material things.

There is a difference between interpretation of a parable and the application of a parable.

Consider context and setting. The persons, to whom it is addressed, all give a clue to the right interpretation.

The Parable of the Tares (Matthew 13:24-30)

24 ¶Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: (A man who is faithful and obedient)

25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
(Satan and Worldliness)

26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?

28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
(We have the righteous and unrighteous member in our wards in the Church. But also all of us have some "tares" in our own lives. We need to be wise to recognize them and weed them out.)

30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

(We can gather the "tares" in our lives and "burn" or take them out and for doing this we will be gathered up in the wheat (righteousness) and be taken to his barn (kingdom of God).

What are the tares in your life?


We also read this week about the Parable of the mustard seed and the leaven (Matthew 13:31-33), Parable of the gospel net (Matthew 13:47-50), and the Parable of the treasure and the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:44-46)


This week in our assignment we were given an assignment to match up which one of the Parable's that would answer the following questions. Here are the questions with my answers. If you do not agree post your comments.

1. What describes the future growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

----The Parable of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven

2. Why does the Church send out so many missionaries?

----The Parable of the gospel net

3. How do you explain the remarkable growth of the Church, considering that it is fairly new compared to most world religions and started small in the American frontier?
----The Parable of the Gospel Net

4. Why are some members of the Church willing to sacrifice so much worldly wealth and reconition in order to maintain membership in the Church?
----The Parable of the treasure and the pearl of great price

5. Why do some Church member chose to leave the Church?
----Parable of the Tares

Parable of the Treasures and the Pearl of Great Price

44 ¶Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

 45 ¶Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

What sacrifices would you be willing to make to obtain the tresure of the gospel?

I sacrificed the possiblity of loosing my family.  I told my parents 10 years ago this July that I wanted to be baptized and become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  The possiblity of loosing my family held me back from joining the church many years prior.  But I could not deny the promptings of the Spirit and the Truthfullness of the gospel.  I have found the pearl and I will never let go.  This was the hardest,but the best life altering decision of my life.  Because of this decision I have been blessed with a worthy Priesthood holding husband and 4 amazing children in a short 10 years of my conversion. 

Parable of the gospel net (Matthew 13:47-50)

47 ¶Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

 48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.

 49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,

 50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

The gathering of every kind is the missionary work that is taking place throughout the world.  The missionaries will gather all kinds of converts and all will be given the chance to repent and come unto Christ.  Some will be sincere followers and other will not, some may even reject the message.  All will be given a chance, but there will be a day of judgement. 

Thanks for taking the time to look at the Parable's of Christ with me, and hope you learned a little and I hope you will teach me a little as well with your comments.