SwoleMan

I have not seen this being discussed here before, but if it has, feel free to delete this thread. Anyway:

Jesus has just been speaking in parables to his audience, and the reason for this is as follows: "And he said unto them, Unto you (his disciples) it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them." (Mk 4:11-12)

So if I am unable to interpret Jesus' parables correctly, then I will not be taking part of his insightful thoughts, and therefore I will still be a skeptic risking eternal damnation. Ok, so I had better start thinking then. Hmm, let me see...

But hey, wait a minute! In the following verses Jesus interprets his parables for me! WTF? Why do I and every other reader of the Gospels get to know exactly what his parables means, and not some of his audience in the story? Is this not a little unfair?

SwoleMan

Could I not get at least one little comment?

Toto

Jesus is interpreting the parables for the in crowd, including you, dear reader.

Compare what Matt 13:13-15 or Luke 8:10, which imply that parables are used for those who don't understand, to help them along.

Link

parables are by which people escape darkness and see

John Kesler

It's possible that Mark's intent was apologetic, to explain why Jesus, or perhaps later Christians, got rejected. Jesus didn't fail; he was intentionally obscure. Later gospel writers put their own spin on Jesus' words:

Notice that Luke agrees with Mark that the parables were purposefully enigmatic, but Luke changes "for those outside" to "others," thus reducing the number of people hindered from understanding. For Matthew, speaking in parables was punishment for, not the cause of, unbelief on the part of the crowd--"those who have nothing." GThomas doesn't provide a narrative (it is, after all, a sayings gospel), but also states that Jesus didn't reveal his message to everyone.

His Noodly Appendage

Jesús a sus discipulos: En verdad os digo, y = x^2
Los discipulos comentan entre si, y dice Pedro: "Maestro, no entendemos..."
Jesus: "Es una parabola, brutos!"

CaliNORML

All his parables point me to one thing; Compassion.

How to use it, how hard it is to act in it, and what would happen if it was used. The followers never did get it, act on it, or use it when the time came.

KMS

WCH

Even the one about lending money to servants and killing them for not generating more?

CaliNORML

To never hoard, compassion in the least form, shares or invests. Money buried and hoarded is like a dragon in its cave, full of riches but bringing no good for there they are useless to all.

The others even gave of the intrest to provide others opportunities, and make others lives a bit better. Not even more lower intrest for anyone borrowing money there, less capitol invested hurts an economy.

You not only have to spend money to make money, but it is invested much deeper in business', jobs and effects other peoples lives as well.

Hoarding and fear should not be used in business, it hurts us all.

KMS

SwoleMan

But if today even a mass murderer will be able to take part of his insights, then why did he shut some of his audience out? Were they even bigger sinners?

I cannot see what you mean here. Could you explain?