>
Parables, Types, and Illustrations | Dr. Randy White

More Episodes
1:
Taos FBC Missionary of the month of October 2021
2:
Dr. Daniel Nessim: Antisemitism and the Holocaust
3:
Guest Speaker Corban Jimenez
4:
Guest Speaker Noah Wilkerson
5:
Guest speaker Geoff Crosson
6:
Test Broadcast No Content
7:
Guest speaker Geoff Crosson
8:
Celebrating Thanksgiving With the Lord's Supper
9:
The Basics of Faith, Part 1 | Guest Roger Feenstra
10:
The Basics of Faith, Part 2 | Guest Roger Feenstra
11:
Getting To Know King Herod
12:
In The Fullness Of Time
13:
Christmas Day Worship 2022
14:
The Bible In One Sermon (2023 version)
15:
Love For Gods Words
16:
In the Beginning
17:
Ernie & Jason Couch In Concert
18:
Guest Speaker Trent Jandrin
19:
Philippians 1:9-11 | Paul’s Prayer
20:
Understanding Job | Dr. Randy White
21:
Test Broadcast no content
22:
Lessons From The Last Supper
23:
Sunday November 26th
24:
Test broadcast no content
25:
test broadcast no content 3
26:
Unpacking the Nativity: Insights into the Birth of Jesus
27:
Test Broadcast no content 3
28:
The Word Became Flesh | John 1:14 | Dr. Randy White
29:
The Star of Bethlehem
30:
The Star of Bethlehem new
31:
Test Broadcast no content rwm
32:
test broadcast no content rwm
33:
Guest Preaching: Trent Jandrin
34:
Sunday worship, March 24, 2024: The Ordination of Trent Jandrin
35:
The Death, Burial, And Resurrection of Jesus Christ
37:
Cremation or Buiral?
38:
Test Broadcast no content rwm
39:
John Rich And His Poor Rapture Theology
40:
test broadcast no content rwm
41:
Test Broadcast no content rwm
42:
What Is The Gospel of Christ? | Dr. Randy White
43:
What Is The Gospel of Christ? Part 2 | Dr. Randy White
44:
Four Types of Dispensationalism | Dr. Randy White
45:
Test Broadcast no content rwm
46:
No Content
47:
Guest Preacher Geoff Crosson | November 3, 2024
48:
THE FULLNESS FOUND IN CHRIST ALONE | COLOSSIANS 2:6-10
50:
Colossians 1:15-20 | Christ’s Preeminence | Dr. Randy White
51:
Thankful For The Cross | November 24, 2024
52:
Epaphras: The Faithful Minister | Colossians 1:7-8, 4:12-13 | Dr. Randy White
53:
The One Great Requirement of the Word: “Rightly Dividing” It | Dr. Randy White
54:
Charity or Love? | 1 Corinthians 13:1 | Guest Speaker Geoff Crosson
56:
Crucified With Jesus | Guest Speaker Geoff Crosson new
57:
Guest Speaker Paul Miles
58:
Joel in One Sermon | Pastor Mark Baze
59:
Introduction to 1 Thessalonians | Dr. Randy White
61:
Why My Preaching Is Different | Dr. Randy White
Watch On Biblify

by Randy White Ministries Sunday, Aug 17, 2025

Interpreting Parables Correctly



Parable, Illustration, or Type?



Order the free booklet here: https://dispensationalpublishing.com/product/parables-illustrations-types/

  • A parable…

  • …is a story or that could be true but the truth of the story is not the point.

  • …has a truth about the work of God that is hidden from view and requires interpretation.

  • An illustration is a picture of a stated

  • Example: Matthew 7:24-27.

  • A metaphor or figure is an illustration (Mt. 5:13-16).

  • A type is an historical person or even that mirrors a future event.

  • Key: every detail must match.

  • Example: Moses strikes the rock.

  • Example: Job represents the Jewish remnant of the end times.

  • Because of confusion of terminology and interpretation, no two lists of “the parables of Jesus” are identical.

The Chief Subject of Parables | Matthew 13:10-17

  • It may come as a surprise to many that parables (all of them) are very limited in subject matter, and that subject is the Kingdom of God.

  • This truth is clearly stated in the summary of the first parable found in the New Testament: Matthew 13:10-17.

  • Verse 10 – Though the question is only definitively related to this particular parable, the question is related to parables (plural) in general. We must therefore take the answer to be conclusive of all Jesus’ parables, unless otherwise stated.

  • Verse 11 – the purpose of parables is to reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. Those who take parables for every mystery known to man, or every practical application needed for today, will invariably miss the mysteries that are actually revealed.

  • Verse 12 – this verse is a total mystery to those who do not take it in context.

  • The words are explained more fully in the parallel passage, Mark 4:24-25, where we are told that it is unto you that hear shall more be given.

  • What is taken away from them that do not have? Their hearing, understanding, and knowledge of mysteries related to the Kingdom.

  • Verse 13 – Parables are given when there is an enemy in the midst, as there was with Jesus. Parables are not meant to easily display information but to conceal information from those who will not take the time to study (compare John 3:19-20).

  • Verses 14-15 - Jesus quotes from Isaiah 6:9-10, the context of which is in a time of Tribulation (compare v. 11).

  • Matthew 13 is about the days of the Tribulation (that is, the days approaching the arrival of the Kingdom of God).

  • KJV note: the word gross meant fat or big in 1611, related to the word when it is used of quantity (a gross=12x12=144).

  • Verse 16 – Jesus honored those who did see and hear. This comment was directed to the disciples (v. 10) rather than to the great multitude (v. 2).

  • Verse 17 – The prophets and righteous men wanted to see those things which ye see. Jesus used a word for see which is to perceive. The matters which they wanted to see and hear were the mysteries of the kingdom, which will only now be revealed in the parables.

Mistakes made in interpreting parables

  • Making a parable like an illustration.

  • From Wikipedia: “A parable is a succinct, didactic story, in prose or verse that illustrates one or more instructive lessons or principles.”[1]


[1] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable)

  • Note that this definition makes a parable to be a type of illustration but a parable shared hidden truth and an illustration highlights stated truth.

  • When you make a parable into an illustration…

  • …you begin to find hidden meanings that are not actually there.

  • …you remove the potential of reality that is not required in parables (for example: the story of the Prodigal Son (Lk 15:11-32) or the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:29-37)).

  • Making a parable into a type, thus finding meaning in details where the details are not relevant.

  • For example, using the parable of the lost sheep (Lk. 15:3-7) to make meaning out of the use of sheep for followers of Christ.

  • Making a parable apply to irrelevant issues.

  • If a parable is about the Kingdom, it is not about the church, or the family, or the current administration, etc.

  • A parable is a juxtaposition of two things.

  • The Greek παραβολή [parabole] is a combination of para (along-side) and ballo (to throw), thus “to throw alongside.” In a parable, two things are being thrown alongside one another for comparison or contrast.

  • Oxford English Dictionary: Juxtaposition: “The action of placing two or more things close together or side by side, or one thing with or beside another”

  • A juxtaposition requires comparison or contrast. Two irrelevant things will destroy the parable or juxtaposition.

  • For example, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like…” where Kingdom is set beside the matter within the parable.

New on Worshify