Definition

1. Noun:
   • A simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson: A "parable" is a short, fictional narrative that conveys a deeper truth or ethical principle, often through analogy. This is the most common meaning.
   • (Specifically) A story told by Jesus in the Gospels: In a Christian religious context, a "parable" refers specifically to the illustrative stories told by Jesus Christ to convey spiritual truths about the Kingdom of God.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The teacher used a parable about a farmer and his seeds to explain the importance of perseverance.
  • "The Good Samaritan" is one of the most famous parables from the Bible.
  • Many cultures have parables that teach children about honesty and kindness.

Advanced Usage

• "To speak in parables": To communicate using illustrative stories or allegories, often to make a complex idea more accessible or to provoke thought.
  • The philosopher often spoke in parables, leaving his students to interpret the meaning.

Variants and Related Words

• Parabolic (adj): Having the form of or resembling a parable; of the nature of a parable.
  • The sermon had a parabolic structure, leading to a single moral point.
• Parabolist (n): A teller or writer of parables. (Rare)

Synonyms

• Allegory: A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one. (More complex and extended than a parable.)
• Fable: A short story, typically with animals as characters, conveying a moral. (Often implies fictional, legendary tales, whereas parables are usually about human situations.)
• Teaching story: A narrative designed to impart a lesson.

Related Phrases

• Living parable: A person or real-life event that serves as a powerful example or illustration of a principle.
  • Her life of service was a living parable of compassion.

Related Idioms

• "A parable for our times": Used to describe a story or situation that perfectly illustrates the issues or moral state of the current era.
  • The scandal became a parable for our times about the corruption of power.

Noun

1. (New Testament) any of the stories told by Jesus to convey his religious message
   • the parable of the prodigal son
2. a short moral story (often with animal characters)