Early Christian Beliefs About Jesus’ Parables
Early Christians said Jesus taught in parables and explained them privately to His disciples. Matthew, Mark, and John are the main Bible passages here, and writers like Hermas, Clement of Alexandria, Irenaeus, Origen, Tertullian, and Archelaus repeat that view. Some also said parables hid truth from people who would not hear it plainly. A few writers debated whether some sayings were parables or similitudes, but the core teaching stays the same.
92 early-church witnesses · 169 source quotations · compared with Scripture
What did early Christians believe about the Parables of Jesus?
Early Christian writers said Jesus really used parables and that He often explained them to His disciples in private. Matthew, Mark, and John are directly echoed by Hermas, Clement of Alexandria, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Origen, Tatian, and Archelaus, who treat parables as a normal and important part of Jesus’ teaching.
The evidence is broad across the 1st to 3rd centuries, and it also shows a common view that parables could hide truth from the unbelieving crowd while giving fuller meaning to the disciples. There is some variation in how writers classify certain sayings as parables or similitudes, but the main belief is clear and steady. Many more early Christian quotations, Bible passages, and source links are gathered below so you can study the evidence for yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus taught many of His listeners by parables and explained them privately to His disciples.
- Hermas, Clement of Alexandria, Irenaeus, Origen, Tertullian, and Archelaus all treat parables as a normal part of Jesus’ teaching.
- Early Christians often linked parables with hidden meaning, private explanation, and the need for a receptive heart.
Questions Answered by the Sources
Why did Jesus speak in parables?
The strongest sources say Jesus taught the crowds in parables and that this matched the Scripture quoted in the Gospels. Some writers connect the use of parables with a difference between the crowds and the disciples.
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Matthew 13:34 Direct teaching
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:
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Mark 4:2 Direct teaching
Then He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in His teaching:
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Matthew 13:3 Direct teaching
And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow.
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Tatian, The Diatessaron Direct teaching
Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables, as they were able to hear. And he did not speak to them without parables, so that the word of the Lord spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled:
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness
The apostles accordingly say of the Lord, that He spoke all things in parables, and without a parable spoke He nothing unto them;
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness
... mysteries simply, so that they could be easily understood by all and sundry, but expressed them in parables. Accordingly, the apostles say of the Lord that "He spoke all things in parables, and without a parable He spoke nothing to them," Matthew 13:34. And if all things were made by Him, and without Him not one thing was made that was made, John 1:3, then prophecy and the law also were by Him, and were spoken by Him in parables. But "all things are right," says the Scripture, "before those who understand," Proverbs 8:9. That is, before those who receive and observe, according to the ecclesiastical rule, the explanation of the Scriptures as explained by Him. And the ecclesiastical rule is the concord and harmony of the law and the prophets in the covenant delivered at the coming of the Lord. Knowledge is then followed by practical wisdom, and practical wisdom by self-control. For it may be said that practical wisdom is divine knowledge, and exists in those who are deified. But self-control is mortal, and exists in those who practice philosophy and are not yet wise. But if virtue is divine, then the knowledge of it is also divine, while self-control is a kind of imperfect wisdom
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book II Supporting witness
... marriage-chamber. Since, therefore, the entire Scriptures, the prophets, and the Gospels, can be clearly, unambiguously, and harmoniously understood by everyone, even though not everyone believes them; and since they declare that only one God, excluding all others, created all things by His word, whether visible or invisible, heavenly or earthly, in the water or under the earth, as I have shown from the very words of Scripture; and since the very system of creation to which we belong testifies, through what we observe, that one Being made and governs it,—those persons will truly seem foolish who close their eyes to such a clear demonstration and refuse to see the light of the announcement made to them; but they place chains upon themselves, and each of them imagines, through their obscure interpretations of the parables, that they have discovered a God of their own. For there is nothing openly, expressly, and without controversy stated in any part of Scripture regarding the Father conceived of by those who hold a contrary opinion, as they themselves testify when they claim that the Saviour privately taught these same things not to everyone, but to only certain disciples who cou
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Tertullian, Against Marcion Supporting witness
On the subject of parables, let it suffice that it has been once for all shown that this kind of language was with equal distinctness promised by the Creator.
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness
...g it, were persecuted and killed. The Lord Himself also, in explaining the Scriptures to them, used parables. His disciples did the same, preaching the word like Him and subsequently to His life. From this also Peter, in his Preaching, says, speaking of the apostles: "But we, unrolling the books of the prophets which we possess, which name Jesus Christ partly in parables, partly in enigmas, partly expressly and in so many words, find His coming and death, and cross, and all the rest of the tortures which the Jews inflicted on Him, and His resurrection and assumption to heaven before the capture of Jerusalem. As it is written, These things are all that He ought to suffer, and what should be after Him. Recognizing them, therefore, we have believed in God because of what is written respecting Him."
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Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Supporting witness
... "A little while ago I told you that you were clever and stubborn in asking for explanations of the parables. But since you are so persistent, I will explain to you the meaning of the parables of the field, and of all the others that follow, so that you may make them known to everyone. Listen now," he said, "and understand them. The field is this world. And the Lord of the field is He who created, completed, and strengthened all things. And the son is the Holy Spirit. And the slave is the Son of God. And the vines are this people, whom He Himself planted. And the stakes are the holy angels of the Lord, who keep His people together. And the weeds that were pulled out of the vineyard are the sins of God's servants. And the dishes that He sent him from His table are the commandments that He gave His people through His Son. And the friends and fellow-counselors are the holy angels who were created first. And the Master's absence from home is the time that remains until His appearing." I said to him, "Sir, all these things are great, wonderful, and glorious. Could I, then," I continued, "understand them?" "No," he said, "nor could any other person, even if he were extremely wise." "M
Did Jesus explain the parables to his disciples privately?
Several writers say the disciples received private explanations while the crowds heard the parables without the same unveiling. This is one of the clearest repeated claims in the supplied evidence.
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Mark 4:10 Direct teaching
And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables.
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Matthew 13:10 Direct teaching
And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
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Mark 4:34 Direct teaching
But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.
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Luke 8:9 Direct teaching
And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?
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Matthew 15:15 Direct teaching
Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.
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Archelaus, Disputation with Manes Supporting witness
For this reason the Lord spoke in parables to those who were incapable of hearing, but to His disciples He explained these parables in private.
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Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness
And if you come to the books written after the time of Jesus, you will find that those multitudes of believers who hear the parables are, as it were, without, and worthy only of exoteric doctrines, while the disciples learn in private the explanation of the parables.
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Origen, Commentary on Matthew Supporting witness
...lained all things to His own disciples privately, Mark 4:34. And for this reason the writers of the Gospels concealed the clear exposition of the parables, because the things signified by them were beyond the power of the nature of words to express. And every solution and exposition of such parables was of such a kind that not even the whole world itself could contain the books that should be written, John 21:25, in relation to such parables. But it may happen that a fitting heart is found, and because of its purity it is able to receive the letters of the exposition of the parable, so that they could be written in it by the Spirit of the living God. But someone will say that perhaps we act with impiety, because of the secret and mystical import of some of the Scriptures that are of heavenly origin, when we wish them to be symbolic and try to expound them, even though it might seem ex hypothesi that we had an accurate knowledge of their meaning. But to this we must say that, if there are those who have obtained the gift of accurate apprehension of these things, they know what they ought to do. But as for us, who acknowledge that we fall short of the ability to see into the depth
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Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Supporting witness
...ll have seen for no purpose, because I do not understand its meaning. In the same way, if you speak parables to me and do not explain them, I will have heard your words in vain.” He answered me again, saying, “Everyone who is the servant of God and has his Lord in his heart asks Him for understanding and receives it, and explains every parable. And the words of the Lord that are spoken in parables become known to him. But those who are weak and lazy in prayer hesitate to ask anything from the Lord. But the Lord is full of compassion and never fails to give to all who ask Him. But you have been strengthened by the holy Angel, and have received from Him such intercession, and are not lazy. Why, then, do you not ask the Lord for understanding and receive it from Him?” I said to him, “Sir, since I have you with me, I must ask you questions, because you show me all things and speak with me. But if I were seeing or hearing these things without you, then I would ask the Lord to explain them.”
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Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Supporting witness
and the words of the Lord become known to him which are spoken in parables.
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Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Supporting witness
In like manner, also, if you speak parables to me, and do not unfold them, I shall have heard your words in vain.
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Clement of Rome, Connection to Mark 4:34 Supporting witness
Wherefore also He explained to His disciples privately the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.
How did early Christians think parables should be interpreted?
The sources show a careful interpretive approach: clear passages should help explain parables, and interpreters should not force parables into ambiguous readings. Some writers also say parables can be spiritually meaningful and require insight.
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Tertullian, On the Resurrection of the Flesh Supporting witness
This is enough evidence from the prophetic Scriptures. I now appeal to the Gospels. But here too I must first answer the same sophistry put forward by those who argue that the Lord, like the prophets, said everything by way of allegory, because it is written, “Jesus spoke all these things in parables, and without a parable He did not speak to them,” Matthew 13:34, that is, to the Jews. Now the disciples also asked Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” And the Lord gave them this answer: “Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing, they do not see, and hearing, they do not hear,” according to the prophecy of Isaiah. But since it was to the Jews that He spoke in parables, it was not then to all men. And if not to all, it follows that it was not always and in all things parables with Him, but only in certain things, and when speaking to a particular class. But He addressed a particular class when He spoke to the Jews. It is true that He sometimes spoke even to the disciples in parables. But notice how the Scripture tells such a fact: “And He spoke a parable to them.” It follows, then, that He did not usually speak to them in parables. Because if He always did so, spe
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Archelaus, Disputation with Manes Supporting witness
...y of the Godhead. And again, it does not say, "He has blinded their minds lest they should hear the Gospel," but rather, "lest the light of the glory of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ should shine to them." For hearing the Gospel is something given to all, but the glory of the Gospel of Christ is shared only with the sincere and genuine. For this reason the Lord spoke in parables to those who were unable to hear, but to His disciples He explained these parables privately. For the illumination of the glory is for those who have been enlightened, while the blinding is for those who do not believe. These mysteries, which the Church now declares to you who have been moved from the group of catechumens, it is not her custom to declare to the Gentiles. For we do not declare the mysteries concerning the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit to a Gentile. Nor do we speak of the mysteries plainly in the presence of the catechumens. Instead, we often speak in a hidden way, so that the faithful who have understanding may grasp the truths being referred to, while those who do not have that understanding may receive no harm.
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Archelaus, Disputation with Manes Supporting witness
Nay, has not Jesus Himself also said: Therefore speak I to them in parables: that seeing, they may not see?
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness
Wherefore, says the Lord, I speak to them in parables: because seeing, they see not;
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Supporting witness
1. “But,” say they, “God hardened the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants.” Those, then, who allege such difficulties, do not read in the Gospel that passage where the Lord replied to the disciples, when they asked Him, “Why speakest Thou unto them in parables?”—“Because it is given unto you to know the mystery of the kingdom of heaven;
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book II Supporting witness
...in knowing them, making understanding easier through daily study. These things are those that are clearly observable and unambiguously expressed in the Sacred Scriptures. Therefore, parables should not be adapted to unclear expressions. If this isn’t done, both the one who explains them will do so safely, and the parables will receive a consistent interpretation from all, keeping the body of truth intact, with a harmonious arrangement of its parts, and without any conflict. But applying unclear expressions to interpret the parables, based on individual inclinations, is unreasonable. This way, no one will have the standard of truth; instead, there will be as many interpretations of truth as there are people explaining the parables, resulting in conflicting doctrines, much like the debates among Gentile philosophers.
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book II Supporting witness
And therefore the parables ought not to be adapted to ambiguous expressions.
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Tertullian, On Modesty Supporting witness
We, however, who do not make the parables the sources whence we devise our subject-matters, but the subject-matters the sources whence we interpret the parables, do not labour hard, either, to twist all things (into shape) in the exposition, while we take care to avoid all contradictions.
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Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Background
For you know,” continued I, “that the Holy Spirit oftentimes announces such events by parables and similitudes;
Common Questions
Did early Christians think Jesus taught in parables on purpose?
Yes. They said Jesus spoke in parables to the crowds and explained them privately to His disciples.
Did early Christians think parables were meant to hide truth?
Many of them said parables hid truth from people who would not hear, while giving understanding to the disciples.
Did early Christians think Jesus explained parables?
Yes. Several writers say Jesus explained the parables to His disciples in private.
Source Index for the Parables of Jesus
The guided sections above show the strongest quotations. This compact index highlights 157 ranked source links from 169 compiled sources for deeper study.
Source index 157 ranked links shown
Early Christian Writings 80 shown of 92
Primary-source quotations from early Christian writers and church documents.
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Unknown, Unknown Work
Bible Passages 77 included
Related Bible passages saved for comparison with the early Christian quotations.
Related Resources
Course Lesson
Kingdom Parables of Jesus
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