The Meaning of The Parable

Discern the meaning of the parable by studying its characters, points of comparison in the parable and the main
lesson and the lesser lessons.

Parables communicate their meaning through their main character. Recognizing characters’ point of view lead
interpreter to discern the plot of the story. Interpreter needs to identify whom the character is representing by
understanding the dialogue and the point of view of the characters especially the main character.

The parable contains big point that stands out in the parable. The interpreter should seek to identify the big
point of the parable. It is also called the major truth in the parable which points to the spiritual meaning of the
parable. Lesser truths that is in the parable should be connected to the big truth of the parable.

Miracle Stories
The miracle stories in the gospels are not recorded to offer morals or to serve as precedents. Rather, they
function as proof of the person of Jesus and vital illustrations of the power of the kingdom of God breaking in
through Jesus’ ministry. These stories may illustrate faith, fear and failure because of unbelief but this is not
primary function of the miracle stories or one should see this as response to Jesus’ person and power and how
one obtained deliverance both physical and spiritual.

Pronouncement Stories
Pronouncement stories usually are short and self-contained narrative that functions primarily to introduce a key
pronouncement of Jesus. This pronouncement is usually proverbial in nature that is they inculcate wise
generalizations in the form of concise memorable phrases.

Annunciation/Nativity Stories
These stories prove the uniqueness of Christ birth and relate to the prophecy.

Calling Stories
Someone is called to follow Christ or respond to a specific command. Recognition and witness Stories In
recognition stories someone discovers who Christ is. In witness stories someone testifies what He has done. In
both stories Christ is presented as the Savior.

Encounter Stories
Jesus has face-to-face dialogue with an individual. In the end the person accept if reject the claims of Christ.

Conflict Stories
Jesus is confronted by an opposing person or group. These stories tend to be apologetic in nature for these show
how Christ answers His critics and the accusations of His enemies.

Sermons/teaching
These explains something about entering, serving, or proclaiming His Kingdom.

Passion Stories
These are related to the death and resurrection of Christ and all occurred in the last week of Christ’s ministry.

Take note that in handling the different stories in the gospel the interpreter should understand the meaning of
each story by understanding the scene, character and characterization, dialogue, plot of the story, and the
narrator/author’s point of view.
Principles of interpreting gospel

Christ-centered interpretation. The gospel is the good news of God about God--that God has come to us in Jesus
Christ. All gospels point to Jesus as God. In the gospels Jesus is presented as God with us. The objective of the
gospels is to relate what Jesus begun to do and teach. The turning point in all gospels is to present is the
confession of Jesus as the Christ. The climax of all four gospels is the resurrection of Christ, and the resurrection
of Christ accounts for the very existence of the gospel.