Introduction
Last week we looked at the prophecies that the Messiah would be revealed to a people not seeking him. Additionally, the Old Testament tells us that the Messiah would teach in parables. Due to the large number of parables used by Jesus and recorded in the New Testament, I have not included every instance of teaching in parables below.
Old Testament Prophecy
I will open my mouth in parables,
I will utter hidden things, things from of old- [Psalm 78:2 NIV]
He said, “Go and tell this people: ” ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” [Isaiah 6:9-10 NIV]
New Testament Fulfillment
This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “ ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ [Matthew 13:13-15 NIV]
Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.” [Matthew 13:34-35 NIV]
He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, “ ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’ [Luke 8:10 NIV]
Return to the Monday Morning Prophecy index page.
Image courtesy of Abby Reed