In Matthew 13:34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable.” Matthew 13:35 goes on to say, *” So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: ‘I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.'” Jesus frequently taught using parables. But what exactly is the significance of these parables, and why did He use them? A parable is a simple story used to illustrate a deeper spiritual truth. Theologically, parables serve to make the mysteries of the Kingdom of God more accessible to those willing to learn, while also concealing these truths from those who are unwilling to seek them (Matthew 13:11). Jesus used parables to describe the Kingdom of God, the heart of His message. Most of His teachings were communicated through parables, showing their central role in His ministry. They are not just stories but vehicles for profound theological teaching that unveils divine truth in layers. Parables as Revelations of the Kingdom of God Parables reveal the nature of God’s Kingdom. In Matthew 13:24-30, Jesus tells the parable of the wheat and the weeds, illustrating the coexistence of good and evil in this world until the final judgment. This parable emphasizes that God’s judgment will come at the end of time, separating the righteous from the wicked. Jesus also explains in Matthew 13:31-32, using the parable of the mustard seed, that the Kingdom of God starts small but grows into something expansive and mighty, much like a mustard seed grows into a large tree. In Matthew 13:34-35,it’s made clear that Jesus spoke in parables to fulfill the prophecy of Psalm 78:2: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world .” This verse speaks to how Jesus’ parables were not merely creative storytelling but were divine revelations that pointed to mysteries hidden throughout history—truths about God’s Kingdom that were revealed only through Jesus, the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17). Parables as Spiritual Testing In Matthew 13:10-17, the disciples asked Jesus why He spoke to the crowds in parables. He responded that He used parables both to reveal and to conceal. To those whose hearts were open and seeking, the parables clarified the truths of the Kingdom of God. But for those who were hardened, like the religious leaders (Pharisees, Sadducees) and those with hardened hearts, the parables concealed deeper truths from them. Jesus quoted Isaiah 6:9-10, saying, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” This refers to how the Gospel of Jesus, although plainly offered, would be rejected by many. Theologically, this demonstrates the concept of divine revelation, where spiritual truths are made clear only to those whom God has chosen to reveal them (Matthew 11:25-27). It reflects God’s sovereignty in revealing His will. Example of the Parable of Unforgiveness Consider the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant in Matthew 18:21-35. Jesus uses the story of a servant who owes his master a massive debt (10,000 talents) and is forgiven by the master, but refuses to forgive a fellow servant who owes him a small amount (100 denarii). This parable highlights the divine principle of forgiveness. Theologically, it shows that God forgives the immense debt of sin that we owe to Him (Matthew 6:12, Luke 7:47), and as recipients of this grace, we are expected to forgive others (Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13). The unforgiving servant’s fate serves as a stark warning: those who do not forgive will face judgment (Matthew 18:35). Parables and the Hidden Mysteries of the Kingdom The parables Jesus told were not simply moral lessons; they were revelations of God’s mysterious plan of salvation. For example, in the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-9), Jesus illustrates how the message of the Gospel is received differently by various people. Some hear the Word but reject it immediately (the hard ground), some receive it with joy but fall away in times of trouble (the rocky ground), and some are distracted by worldly cares and wealth (the thorny ground). Only those who hear the Word, understand it, and bear fruit are likened to good soil. This teaches the theological principle of the different responses to God’s Word and the necessity of true discipleship. The Purpose of Parables: Revealing and Concealing Truth Jesus used parables for two main purposes: To Reveal Truth: Parables reveal deep spiritual truths about God’s Kingdom to those with a heart to understand. To those who were open, the parables provided clear insights into God’s will. For example, the Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:3-7) demonstrates God’s love for the lost and His desire to seek and save sinners, illustrating the heart of God’s mission through Jesus. To Conceal Truth from the Hardened Heart: To those whose hearts were closed, such as the religious leaders who rejected Jesus, parables served as a form of judgment. They concealed truths because the listeners’ hearts were not open to God’s revelation. As Matthew 13:12 states, “Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.” This speaks to the idea that those who are open to God’s teachings will receive more, but those who reject Him will find themselves further alienated. The Parable Method Continues Today Even today, Jesus continues to teach through His Holy Spirit, and He still uses parables to reveal God’s will to those who are truly seeking Him. If a person has a genuine desire to know God, He will teach them through both the written Word and real-life examples, helping them understand His will more clearly. However, if a person is not open to hearing the truth, they will remain in darkness, unable to grasp the deeper meaning of the Scriptures. Jesus’ teachings are not for intellectual curiosity but for those who seek spiritual understanding and relationship with God (John 14:6, John 16:13). Conclusion Parables are a divine method of teaching that simultaneously reveal and conceal the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. They help us understand spiritual truths through simple stories while also challenging us to examine our hearts. As believers, we must approach the teachings of Jesus with a humble, seeking heart, ready to understand His truth. If we do, we will receive the full revelation of God’s will, leading us into a deeper relationship with Him. Let us pray for a sincere desire to know God, as He reveals Himself only to those who seek Him in truth. The Bible is not meant to be understood by everyone, but by those who earnestly seek God, the “poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3). Shalom.
Question:In 1 Samuel 17:49, we read that David killed Goliath, but in 2 Samuel 21:19, the Bible mentions another man named Elhanan who killed Goliath. So, who actually killed Goliath—David or Elhanan? Answer: Let’s first look closely at the two passages: 1 Samuel 17:49-50 (ESV):“And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone and struck the Philistine and killed him, but David had no sword in his hand.” Here, it is clear that David, as a young shepherd boy, defeated and killed Goliath, the giant Philistine warrior, with just a sling and a stone. This event marks a pivotal moment in Israel’s history, highlighting God’s power working through a seemingly insignificant person to defeat a formidable enemy (1 Sam 17:45-47). 2 Samuel 21:19 (ESV):“There was again war with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim, the Bethlehemite, struck down Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.” This verse tells us that Elhanan, not David, killed a man named Goliath from Gath, described as a giant whose spear shaft was very large. At first glance, this appears to contradict the earlier account. How do we reconcile this? Goliath was a title, not a unique name:The name “Goliath” likely referred to a class or title of Philistine giants or warriors rather than a single individual. This is similar to how “Pharaoh” referred to successive Egyptian kings. So, David’s Goliath and Elhanan’s Goliath were different people. Different battles, different contexts:The event of David killing Goliath occurred earlier in Israel’s history (before David became king), while Elhanan’s feat took place later, during ongoing wars with the Philistines. These were distinct confrontations involving different enemies. Theological significance:David’s victory over Goliath is a key theological moment demonstrating God’s sovereignty and the triumph of faith over brute strength. It prefigures Christ’s ultimate victory over evil by the power of God working through humility and obedience (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). Meanwhile, Elhanan’s victory highlights that God raised many warriors to defend Israel, not only David. The Bible also speaks of other giants and warriors who opposed Israel (e.g., 2 Samuel 21:20-22), emphasizing the ongoing spiritual and physical battles God’s people faced. Summary: David killed the famous Goliath of 1 Samuel 17 — the giant who taunted Israel and was defeated by faith in God. Elhanan killed a different Goliath from Gath as recorded in 2 Samuel 21:19. The Bible records multiple giants (descendants of the Rephaim) who fought Israel; the name “Goliath” was likely a common name or title among them. Both stories affirm God’s power working through His chosen warriors to deliver His people. Further Reflection: This teaches us that God raises many “Davids”—heroes of faith who overcome the “giants” in their lives by trusting in God’s strength rather than their own. It’s also a reminder that Scripture can contain multiple layers and accounts that require careful study and understanding of historical and cultural context. If you’re interested, I can also share about the 37 warriors of David who defeated giants and how their stories reveal God’s faithfulness and power in Israel’s history. May the Lord bless you richly.