Jesus Speaks In Parables

The ministry of Jesus Christ was often characterized by the miracles He performed. These miracles were performed to prove that Jesus was the Messiah. Such wonders done by Jesus had never happened before in the midst of the Israelites. The prophets and the high priests had never done such great miracles. No one can do such works accept the Lord is with Him (ref. John 3:2).

The ministry of Jesus Christ was not only known for His miracles but also for the parables that He uttered in His teaching. In the four gospels, Jesus spoke in parables frequently to convey the message that He received from the Father. Parables were the most effective way for Him to declare the truth. Some of the parables might be easy to understand but some might not. Nevertheless such ministry was not accidental but had been planned by God the Father.

In the Old Testament there is a prophecy given to the people of Israel concerning the ministry of Jesus Christ. Asaph recorded in Ps. 78:2-4 saying, “I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: which we have heard and known, and our father have told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praise of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.” When Matthew recorded the ministry of Jesus Christ, he did emphasize that the parables spoken by Christ to the multitudes were the fulfillment of the prophecy given by Asaph. Although many scholars might not agree to this truth, Matthew did. He showed the prophecy of Asaph as the absolute truth that Christ spoke parables. “That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet” (Matt. 13:35). Lenski rightly said, “Aside from inspiration, the honest assumption would be that Matthew made no mistake such as this: and another equally strong assumption would be that; if he had, those about him would have detected and at once corrected it.” Hendriksen further said, “by the inspiration of the Spirit, Matthew sees in this use of parables as fulfillment of prophecy, once focusing the attention upon Jesus as being indeed the Messiah who was to come.” In other words, Asaph was a type of Christ.

The parables spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ would remain unsolved riddles to those who do not believe in Him but are “highly illuminating illustrations for those having or receiving the solution (believers).” The ministry of Jesus Christ is well recorded in the Old Testament that He would speak in parables to the multitudes. To them who believe in Him, His parables would be a light, on the other hand it would be unsolved riddles or mysteries to those who reject Him.