Mark 4:2

by parables (i) The Greek word thus rendered denotes (a) a placing beside, (b) a comparing, a comparison. In Hellenistic Greek it became coextensive with the Hebrew mâshâl= similitude. (ii) In this sense it is applied

(1) In the Old Testament, to

(a) The shortest proverbs:as 1 Samuel 10:12, "Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets?" 1 Samuel 24:13, "As saith the proverbof the ancients;" 2 Chronicles 7:20, "I will make it to be a proverband a byword among all nations."

(b) Dark prophetic utterances: as Numbers 23:7, "And he took up his parableand said;" Ezekiel 20:49, "Ah Lord God! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?"

(c) Enigmatic maxims: as Psalms 78:2, "I will open my mouth in a parable;" Proverbs 1:6, "the words of the wise and their dark sayings."

(2) In the Gospels, to

(a) Short sayings: as Luke 4:23, "Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself."

(b) A comparison without a narrative: as Mark 13:28, "Now learn its parableof the fig tree" (see note in loc.).

(c) Comparisons with narratives of earthly things with heavenly, as the Parables of our Lord.