WHAT DOES "PARABLE" MEAN?

(Message by Tanny Keng)

1. What Does “Parable” Mean?

a) The word “parable” comes from the Greek word παραβολη parabolee. In the Greek para means beside, and ballo means to cast or throw. So parable, in a very basic sense, means to cast beside. The word “parable”, in its more developed sense, still retains that underlying meaning.

b) Definition of “Parable”

i) A “parable” is an illustrative story, by which a familiar idea is cast beside an unfamiliar idea in such a way that the comparison helps people to better understand and grasp the unfamiliar idea. A simple story is told, certain features of which are analogous or parallel to the points or principles one wishes to drive home. For example, a blind man tried to guide another blind man, and they both fell into the ditch. This illustrates that while a man leaves his own shortcomings uncorrected, he cannot help others to correct theirs. 

Luke 6:39
39 And He also spoke a parable to them: “A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit?


The End ...

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