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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Matthew 13:3 - 13:3
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3. ἐν παραβολαῖς. Up to this time Jesus had preached repentance, proclaiming the kingdom, and setting forth the laws of it in direct terms. He now indicates by parables the reception, growth, characteristics, and future of the kingdom. The reason for this manner of teaching is given below, Mat 13:10-15.
παραβολή, from παραβάλλειν, ‘to put side by side,’ ‘compare’ (Hebr. mashal) = ‘a likeness’ or ‘comparison.’ The meaning of the Hebrew word extends to proverbial sayings: 1Sa 10:12; Pro 1:1, and to poetical narration, Psa 78:2 (see Dean Perowne’s note). Parables differ from fables in being pictures of possible occurrences—frequently of actual daily occurrences,—and in teaching religious truths rather than moral truths. See below Mat 13:10 and Mat 13:33.