The Parables of Luke 10-16 In Luke chapters 10-16, there are many stories that share common characteristics that help to classify them as parables. Perhaps the most common trait is the headings. In most Bibles, there are usually headings that show what the next section of scripture will address. Many of the parables in these chapters have the word “parable” in their preceding heading. However, just because the heading for a passage does not contain the word “parable,” that does not necessarily mean the passage is not a parable. Another common quality found in parables is that there is a lesson contained in them. Every single one of the parables that Jesus told had a lesson that was either clearly stated or implied. The lesson was not only …show more content…
Even after only reading a few chapters, it is evident that Jesus loves to use rhetorical questions in His ministry. He uses rhetorical questions to prove the lesson He is trying to show because He already knows how the person will answer the questions. This characteristic goes along with another one, which is that Jesus knows the heart, the thoughts and the motives of the people He is talking to. Several times Luke shows that Jesus knows what people are thinking without them saying a single word. An example of this is found in Luke 11:37-54 when Jesus denounces the Pharisees and the Lawyers. Another common theme found in parables is dialogue. Parables are not necessarily dialogue driven, but there are usually different characters interacting with each other in some way, shape or form. The next characteristic about parables is that they often include similes. Jesus is constantly comparing one thing to another or saying one thing is like something else. One example of this is found in Luke 10:34 when Jesus says, “Your eye is the lamp of your body.” Similes are very common and Jesus uses them to simplify what He is saying so we can understand it easier. Another characteristic that is found in parables is repetition. Jesus often used …show more content…
The first and perhaps most important reason is that Jesus is using this passage to teach a lesson. Another characteristic that shows that it is a parable is the dialogue in it. There is also a lot of repetition of certain names and themes. An additional feature that points to it being a parable is the Jewish background information. The parable abounds with many prominent Jewish figures. There is also an extremely unlikely outcome. Just through a worldview perspective, the rich man should be the one who is in heaven, not Lazarus, but this only shows stronger Jesus’ lesson of the parable. It is important that this passage be interpreted as a parable and not a real life account for several reasons. The first is that it is impossible to talk to the dead in a real life scenario. Talking to dead people is often associated with the devil and not God. The second reason is because if this passage were interpreted literally, it could be possible to have a second chance at salvation even after death, which is not biblical at