Parable

lit. denotes "a placing beside" (akin to paraballo, "to throw" or "lay beside, to compare"). It signifies "a placing of one thing beside another" with a view to comparison (some consider that the thought of comparison is not necessarily contained in the word). In the NT it is found outside the Gospels, only in Hebrews 9:9; 11:19 . It is generally used of a somewhat lengthy utterance or narrative drawn from nature or human circumstances, the object of which is to set forth a spiritual lesson, e.g., those in Matthew 13 and Synoptic parallels; sometimes it is used of a short saying or proverb, e.g., Matthew 15:15; Mark 3:23; 7:17; Luke 4:23; 5:36; 6:39 . It is the lesson that is of value; the hearer must catch the analogy if he is to be instructed (this is true also of a proverb). Such a narrative or saying, dealing with earthly things with a spiritual meaning, is distinct from a fable, which attributes to things what does not belong to them in nature.

denotes "a wayside saying" (from paroimos, "by the way"), "a byword," "maxim," or "problem," 2—Peter 2:22 . The word is sometimes spoken of as a "parable," John 10:6 , i.e., a figurative discourse (RV marg., "proverb"); see also John 16:25,29 , where the word is rendered "proverbs" (marg. "parables") and "proverb."