kross Posted September 26, 2008 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 2 Topic Count: 44 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 1,773 Content Per Day: 0.31 Reputation: 51 Days Won: 0 Joined: 08/04/2008 Status: Offline Birthday: 12/27/1957 Share Posted September 26, 2008 For the last 18 years, i have been in a number of Bible studies where the question was asked, Why did JESUS speak in parables"? The same answer was almost always given. Then I read this in the scritures; Matt 13:10-11 "And the disciples came and said to HIM, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" HE answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given." Does this statement coincide with the answer you have been given or taught. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JB Horn Posted September 26, 2008 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 0 Topics Per Day: 0 Content Count: 178 Content Per Day: 0.03 Reputation: 1 Days Won: 0 Joined: 12/29/2006 Status: Offline Share Posted September 26, 2008 De 29:4 But to this day the Lord has not given you a mind that understands or eyes that see or ears that hear. Ro 11:7-8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColleenLovesMischief Posted September 26, 2008 Group: Royal Member Followers: 2 Topic Count: 100 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 2,791 Content Per Day: 0.37 Reputation: 21 Days Won: 0 Joined: 10/21/2003 Status: Offline Birthday: 06/13/1977 Share Posted September 26, 2008 I was taught that He spoke in parables because it dealt with things the people of the time understood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oak Posted September 26, 2008 Group: Senior Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 67 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 503 Content Per Day: 0.09 Reputation: 31 Days Won: 0 Joined: 06/14/2008 Status: Offline Share Posted September 26, 2008 Yes, that is the pat answer that I was given, however to the Apostles it was revealed and thereby reading Christ's explanations, we are linked to the meanings given to the Apostles. Essentially, it was true for that period in history but after the resurrection we certainly are not bound to just the parables. Although, I'm sure Kross, you'll find a flaw in my reasoning. Yours in Christ, Oak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oak Posted September 26, 2008 Group: Senior Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 67 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 503 Content Per Day: 0.09 Reputation: 31 Days Won: 0 Joined: 06/14/2008 Status: Offline Share Posted September 26, 2008 Yes, that is the pat answer that I was given, however to the Apostles it was revealed and thereby reading Christ's explanations, we are linked to the meanings given to the Apostles. Essentially, it was true for that period in history but after the resurrection we certainly are not bound to just the parables. Although, I'm sure Kross, you'll find a flaw in my reasoning. Yours in Christ, Oak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botz Posted September 26, 2008 Group: Royal Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 76 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 4,492 Content Per Day: 0.61 Reputation: 191 Days Won: 18 Joined: 03/29/2004 Status: Offline Share Posted September 26, 2008 For the last 18 years, i have been in a number of Bible studies where the question was asked, Why did JESUS speak in parables"? The same answer was almost always given. Then I read this in the scritures; Matt 13:10-11 "And the disciples came and said to HIM, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" HE answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given." Does this statement coincide with the answer you have been given or taught. Hi Kross. I think we should bear in mind that the method of teaching by using parables at times was well known at the time, and was associated in particular with rabbinical teaching as a legitimate and well tested method of getting a message across. Part of its strength lies in the fact that the meaning is not always immediately obvious, and this means that the listener has to listen really closely, and even then might have to delve further into what is being said to get a better or fuller understanding. Content is often graphic images of everyday life that people can relate to and remember. Naturally the best way to understand is to ask the Rabbi what he means, and this gives the opportunity for the Rabbi to enlarge, elucidate and explain...those who cannot be bothered will remain in ignorance. The same is absolutely true today...we have the Scriptures, and we have the Holy Ghost to guide us, but how many times do we skim the surface of a truth or a teaching, and in the end lose what we attempted to understand in the first place, ...it profits us nothing. (see parable of the sower/Pearl of great price/treasure in a field or James talking about the law of liberty). Proverbs 2:1 My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you, 2 Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding; 3 For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; 4 If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will discern the fear of the LORD And discover the knowledge of God. 6 Proverbs 15:14 The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on folly. Perhaps my favourite is.... Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. Just by way of expansion, here is a typical teaching from the Talmud...sound familiar! Clean Clothes Our rabbis taught: --"...and the spirit returns to the G-d who gave it" (Eccles. 12:7b) (means): Give it to him pure as he gave it to you. This may be compared to a king of flesh and blood who distributed royal garments to his servants. The attentive among them folded them and deposited them in a chest. The foolish among them went and did their work in them. Days later the king asked for his garments. The attentive among them returned them to him all sparkling; the foolish among them returned them to him all soiled. The king was pleased with the attentive, but angry with the foolish. Regarding the attentive he said: -- "Give the garments to the treasurer and let them go to their homes in peace." Regarding the foolish he said: -- "Give the garments to the treasurer and lock them in the prison house." So, the Holy One, blessed be He!, says regarding the bodies of the righteous: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry 2 Posted September 26, 2008 Group: Senior Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 40 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 791 Content Per Day: 0.12 Reputation: 205 Days Won: 0 Joined: 01/29/2007 Status: Offline Share Posted September 26, 2008 For the last 18 years, i have been in a number of Bible studies where the question was asked, Why did JESUS speak in parables"? The same answer was almost always given. Then I read this in the scritures; Matt 13:10-11 "And the disciples came and said to HIM, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" HE answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given." Does this statement coincide with the answer you have been given or taught. Mark 4:10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. Mark 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: Mark 4:12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kross Posted September 26, 2008 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 2 Topic Count: 44 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 1,773 Content Per Day: 0.31 Reputation: 51 Days Won: 0 Joined: 08/04/2008 Status: Offline Birthday: 12/27/1957 Author Share Posted September 26, 2008 I think most of you missed HIS answer. JESUS said HE spoke in parables so they would not understand HIM. If the parables were for them to understand, why did HE have to explain them to the disciples and why did HE do it while they were alone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botz Posted September 27, 2008 Group: Royal Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 76 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 4,492 Content Per Day: 0.61 Reputation: 191 Days Won: 18 Joined: 03/29/2004 Status: Offline Share Posted September 27, 2008 I think most of you missed HIS answer. JESUS said HE spoke in parables so they would not understand HIM. If the parables were for them to understand, why did HE have to explain them to the disciples and why did HE do it while they were alone? Ok tried but could do better...will have another stab at it from a different perspective. Matthew 13:10 And the disciples came and said to Him, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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