Kingdom Parables
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M. M. NINAN<br />
Thus in general the biblical parables have a threefold purpose depending<br />
on the parable under consideration.<br />
1. To reveal and to explain. It becomes a tool for instruction<br />
2. To conceal. When under certain occasion if the truth is to be hidden<br />
from common eyes a parable can be employed. It becomes decipherable<br />
only if the code is known.<br />
3. To perpetuate to future generations. It then becomes a storehouse<br />
of knowledge and can be opened with the key if given. Most religions<br />
employ this form of transmission of knowledge.<br />
Chrysostom of the early church had enjoined that in interpreting<br />
parables one should not push matter too much. Our aim should be to<br />
find the meaning. We have such allegoric teachings on the parable of the<br />
Good Samaritan by none other than St. Augustine which stretches the<br />
imagination beyond reason.<br />
Until the late 1800's the allegorical method dominated parable<br />
interpretation.<br />
For an example here is the parable of Good Samaritan as allegorized by<br />
St. Augustine.<br />
A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho = Adam<br />
Jerusalem = the heavenly city of peace, from which Adam fell<br />
Jericho = the moon, and thereby signifies Adam's mortality<br />
thieves = the devil and his angels<br />
stripped him = namely, of his immortality<br />
beat him = by persuading him to sin<br />
and left him half-dead = as a man he lives, but he died spiritually,<br />
therefore he is half-dead<br />
The priest and Levite = the priesthood and ministry of the Old Testament<br />
The Samaritan = is said to mean Guardian; therefore Christ himself is meant<br />
bound his wounds = means binding the restraint of sin<br />
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