Parables (mashal) were not unfamiliar to the Jews, as there had been previous efforts in the Old Testament to convey certain truths through such narratives (Judges 9:7; Exodus 5:1; Ezekiel 13:11, among others), and by this time, the use of parables was common among the rabbis. Their primary feature lies in presenting moral or spiritual truths in a manner that is more vivid than straightforward exposition allows. For this purpose, the teacher invokes familiar phenomena from nature or daily life—elements that vividly illustrate the truth being conveyed and leave an indelible impression in the minds of the listeners.
Essentially, the parable resembles a fable in that it can incorporate fictitious elements; however, it distinguishes itself by maintaining plausibility and refraining from ascribing properties to its characters that are not intrinsic to them. Though inherently simple, parables possess a serious and elevated tone, deriving profound truths from everyday occurrences, thereby embedding them deeply in the listeners' consciousness. The richness of life around provided an endless source for Christ's parables, through which He skillfully conveyed the truths of the kingdom of heaven. The sower on a nearby hillside, the tares in the field, the tiny mustard seed, the leaven mixed into dough, and treasures discovered by plowing—these familiar images offered Jesus opportunities to articulate profound truths that could resonate within the human heart.
While other teachers employed fervent exhortations with varying degrees of success, it was Christ alone whose use of the parable achieved a truly divine and majestic quality, making it one of the most powerful instruments for imparting the greatest truths of God’s kingdom into the hearts of humanity. After departing from Simon the Pharisee’s house, Jesus was followed by a throng of individuals eager to hear His heavenly message. He made His way to the lakeshore, where the crowd pressed in on Him, limiting His ability to speak freely. To remedy this, He entered a boat, similarly to what He had done before. From the elevated stern, like a pulpit, He began to teach the multitude on the shore through parables. The first of these remarkable teachings was the Parable of the Sower, illustrating the initial stages of the sowing of God’s word in human hearts. In a region such as Galilee, the images and scenes depicted in this parable were both familiar and easily understood; the sower could have been seen by all, casting seeds in a freshly plowed field on a nearby hill that sloped toward the lake.
THEOSIS