The Metaphors Jesus Used

A metaphor is defined as "an expression, often found in literature, that describes a person or object by referring to something that is considered to have similar characteristics to that person or object, for example, "It was as though he had a heart of stone." A metaphor often includes some universally recognized symbol to aid the listener or reader to quickly understand the emotional or intuitive meaning behind the idea being presented.

Many teachers, writers and speakers also use a simile to reinforce their metaphor. A simile is "an expression comparing one thing with another, always including the words 'as' or 'like.'"

Teachers and story-tellers have always used metaphor and simile to instruct youth and their students in the wisdom of their culture, and to give them practical advice on how to live life in accord with their culture's collective wisdom. Jesus used these devices when speaking to the simple, usually very poor and uneducated common people who came to hear him. As a teacher, he was unparalleled in his ablity to make the kingdom of heaven a familiar place and to make God personally available to them as their Father in heaven. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. – Luke 12:32.

A good way to approach studying the truths that Jesus taught is to consider him as your personal teacher and your very best friend. Study the parables that he taught together with the metaphors he used and you will find that he often mixed metaphor and simile with the parables. Imagine that you are with him, listening to him speak. Be aware that whenever he said something like, "The kingdom of heaven is like ...," he was about to speak metaphorically.

Edna Lister said, "Every Bible verse has a psychological, metaphysical, scientific, philosophical and mystical interpretation. Each letter has twenty-two different meanings and significations. Reading the Bible as a history of humanity is only a first step. The Bible's Author has filled it with allegories and parables. Taken as a whole, the Bible serves as a metaphor for the experiences of all living souls."

Lilies of the Field Metaphor

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knows that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. – Matthew 6:28-33.

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