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34. ἐν παραβολαῖς. In reference to the teaching by parables it may be remarked, (1) that the variety in the subject-matter not only gives great vivacity and fulness to the instruction, but the several illustrations would interest specially particular classes and persons—the fisherman on the lake, the farmer and the merchant would each in turn find his own pursuit furnishing a figure for divine things, even the poor woman standing on the outskirts of the crowd learns that her daily task is fruitful in spiritual lessons. (2) As descriptive of the kingdom of heaven they set it forth as incapable of definition, as presenting many aspects, as suggested by a variety of external things, though not itself external. (3) For the general effect on the imagination and for variety comp. the series of images by which Homer describes the march of the Achæan host. Il. II. 455–484.