htp://www.indieskrifig.org.za Open Access In die Skrifig / In Luce Verbi ISSN: (Online) 2305-0853, (Print) 1018-6441 Page 1 of 7 Original Research Read online: Scan this QR code with your smart phone or mobile device to read online. Author: Francois P. Viljoen 1 Afliaton: 1 Unit for Reformatonal Theology and the Development of the SA Society, Faculty of Theology, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa Corresponding author: Francois Viljoen, viljoen.francois@nwu.ac.za Dates: Received: 23 July 2019 Accepted: 27 Sept. 2019 Published: 26 Nov. 2019 How to cite this artcle: Viljoen, F.P., 2019, ‘Why Jesus spoke in parables’, In die Skrifig 53(1), a2523. htps://doi.org/10.4102/ids. v53i1.2523 Copyright: © 2019. The Authors. Licensee: AOSIS. This work is licensed under the Creatve Commons Atributon License. Introducton Although each of Jesus’ parables is a self-contained story, 1 it is only accessible to modern interpreters through written texts. Gerhardsson (1991:325) warns that ‘modern expositors can increase their hermeneutic freedom immensely, when they cut the narrative meshalim out of their frames’. In many cases, the parables are framed by introductions (προμηθία – forethoughts) and conclusions (ἐπιμηθία – afterthoughts) that provide evaluations and interpretations. Though some of these introductions and conclusions may have formed part of an original story, others were added by the evangelists. Such additions determine the interpretation of the story. Comparative frames such as ‘as it is [with the situation in the parable], so is it with the kingdom of God / heaven’ often form part of such settings. The parallel passages in Matthew 13:10–17 // Mark 4:10–12 // Luke 8:9–10 and in Matthew 13:34– 35 // Mark 4:33 form significant interpretive frames, not only for the parable of the sower and Jesus’ explanation of the parable, but to a certain extent for all of Jesus’ parables. This article investigates these passages that provide an explanation of why Jesus spoke in (a) parable(s). While it seems that the term parable in this context primarily refers to the parable of the sower, the principle applies to similar stories that meet the requirements of the form-critical definition of a parable. The broader context indicates that the term also includes other figurative forms of speech that Jesus used. 2 The reason for speaking in parables The textual setng of Jesus’ explanaton The explanation of why Jesus spoke in parables follows the parable of the sower in all three Synoptic Gospels (Mt 13:1–9; Mk 4:1–9; Lk 8:4–8). This parable begins Jesus’ ministry of proclaiming the Word. The parable tells the story of how seed is sown in different kinds of soil. 1.John included none of these parables. Instead he portrays Jesus as making use of παροιμία [fgures], for example the image of the sheepfold (Jn 10:1–6), the door of the sheepfold (Jn 7–10), the good shepherd (Jn 10:11–18) and the vine and the branches (Jn 15:1–8). Besides the Synoptc Gospels, two non-canonical texts are known to also preserve parables of Jesus, namely the Gospel of Thomas and the Secret Book of James. 2.The evangelists did not identfy parables in the exact same way. Proverbs, similes, similitudes and narratves are all sometmes described as parables (cf. Hedrick 2004:8). Scholars most commonly consider parables to be short narratve fcton dramatsing a common human experience or some incident from nature to convey a spiritual message (cf. Snodgrass 2008:7–9). In the Synoptic Gospels, listeners ask Jesus about the purpose of his parables. These Gospels provide two parallel accounts of this discussion (Mt 13:10–17 // Mk 4:10–12 // Lk 8:9–10 and Mt 13:34–35 // Mk 4:33). The version in Mark 4:10–12 particularly raises problems related to a sharp distinction between the ‘mystery’ that the ‘insiders’ understand, and ‘parables’, which are intended ‘so that’ the ‘outsiders’ would not understand, repent and be forgiven. Mark’s reference to Isaiah 6:9–10 differs from the Masoretic Text (MT) and Septuagint (LXX) versions, but corresponds with the Aramaic Targum, which reads ‘they may be forgiven’ instead of ‘and I would heal them’. It seems that the Markan Jesus deliberately uses parables to prevent ‘those on the outside’ from understanding, repentance and forgiveness. Luke retains the ‘so that’, but does not distinguish between the two groups that sharply, as he refers to ‘others’ and not ‘those on the outside’. He omits Mark’s apparent offensive phrase about the prevention of repentance and forgiveness. Matthew smooths out some of these difficulties by changing the ‘so that’ to ‘because’. According to Matthew, Jesus speaks in parables because the people do not see, hear and understand. The reason for their inability to comprehend, is their rejection of Jesus. This article investigates these parallel passages to decipher the meaning within their textual context. The argument of this article is that these parallel statements should be read within the context of the parable of the sower to grasp their meaning. Keywords: Parable; Mystery; Insider; Outsider; Teacher; Jesus; Parable of the sower. Why Jesus spoke in parables Read online: Scan this QR code with your smart phone or mobile device to read online.