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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 />

3

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