Parables in Johns Gospel
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Before parables can be selected from Johns Gospel and from Matthews Gospel, it is necessary to define what a parable is. Several sources consulted for this paper suggest that in the strictest sense of the word, Johns Gospel has no parables (Barry 1; Lang, Link), while others used the word in their commentaries (Mulhall, Brown, R.E.). It is necessary to examine the root word for parable and attempt a definition for what is meant by a parable.
Parable means placing something alongside something else in order to throw light on the latter. (Abingdon Bible Commentary, 914)
The English word parable is from the Greek ppr"c, whose root connotation involves the placing of things side by side for the sake on comparison; it was a technical term for a figure of speech in ancient oratory (Brown, R.E., 984)
This Greek word, parabole, does not occur in Johns Gospel. There is a similar word, paraimia (pp) used in John...