Parables in the Bible, as told by Jesus Christ, invariably have symbolic meaning, containing one or more statements about the true doctrine. They are frequently misused to interpret these parables individually as truthful, in order to bolster one’s own false teachings. Woe betide anyone who points to the true gospel.
Take parables for what they are.
The parables told by Jesus Christ are precisely what they are: not true accounts of facts, but a generally understandable illustration of a situation, intended to explain it not through words, but through a figurative representation. It is therefore pointless to treat a parable as a fact simply to reinforce one’s own narrative or doctrine. This is a method particularly favored by the Roman Catholic Church, as exemplified by the concept of the true body of Jesus at the Eucharist (Info).
Example: Lazarus and the rich man
Another parable, which the Church of Rome likes to interpret literally in order to justify an immortal soul (Info) and an eternally burning hell (Info), is about Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31). In this parable, Jesus describes how the poor Lazarus, covered in sores, begged in vain for food outside the rich man’s house. Lazarus died and was carried by angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and found himself in the fiery realm of the dead.
The rich man whimpered and begged Lazarus to help him out of his distress. Abraham, however, refused the rich man. “Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.” (Luke 16:29)
The rich man asked Abraham to at least warn his five brothers who were still alive. Abraham refused again.
“Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” (Luke 16:29-31)
It’s simply a parable.
The essence of the parable: Take care of your salvation here and now by studying the word of God, recognizing God’s will, and doing it!
Jesus Christ did not use this narrative entirely without calculation, for the Pharisees propagated the idea that the unrighteous dead went to the realm of the dead, while the righteous ended up in Abraham’s bosom. Part of the realm of the dead consisted of the place of torment, the other part was Abraham’s dwelling place. This is recounted by the historian and contemporary witness Josephus Flavius in his work “The Jewish War,” Volume 2. Thus, the Pharisees also espoused a concept of Hades based on Hellenistic philosophy, which, however, has absolutely nothing in common with the Gospel.
Jesus Christ spoke (naturally) in the language of that time in that region. This allowed him to explain his teachings more clearly, without people having to rack their brains over what he actually meant.
The Sadducees, on the other hand, did not believe in a soul, a realm of the dead, or even a resurrection. For them, earthly death was the end of it.
Total rejection of Jesus’ work of salvation
The true nature of the Pharisees is revealed in their reaction after the real Lazarus was raised from the dead by Jesus Christ after four days in the tomb (John 11:1-46). Together with the chief priests, they formed the Sanhedrin and deliberated on how to proceed. The high priest Caiaphas uttered a sentence there that proved groundbreaking and remains relevant to this day:
“Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.” (John 11:50)
Based on this premise, the Pharisees and High Priests brought Jesus Christ to the cross and wanted to kill Him even after His resurrection of Lazarus!
Jesus Christ knew how to answer this and then followed up with actions.
“Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof..” (Matthew 21:43) Furthermore, this provides an important indication of the current state of literal, geographical Israel.
Special treatment is expected
Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin were also the ones who received special treatment at Jesus’ second coming:
“Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” (Matthew 26:64)
“Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.” (Revelation 1:7)
They, along with the righteous, will also receive a resurrection, but only to see with their own eyes that Jesus Christ truly is who He claimed to be. They will be put back to sleep. Yet they condemned Him, essentially as a heretic. Jesus completely contradicted the doctrine of the Pharisees and also challenged their authority.
Parallels to this day
Objectively speaking, there is still an institution today that spreads equally idiosyncratic nonsense as doctrine and responds to any dissent with persecution, imprisonment, torture, and death: the Church of Rome (Info).
Parables should be treated as parables, and not arbitrarily interpreted as literal those that correspond to one’s own doctrines.
Only a small minority truly follow Jesus.
Furthermore, it is repeatedly made clear that only a minority of people follow the true Gospel and not a generally accepted heresy. Accordingly, the few will be bitterly persecuted by the majority, who mistakenly believe they are doing what is good and right. Therefore, anyone who questions whether they have embraced the true faith by following the Christian community (ecumenism) could recognize, even without understanding the true doctrine of salvation, that the prevailing majority opinion is not entirely accurate. Then, their own study of the Bible should follow!
In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
Matthew 26:55
Bible verses from King James Version
