Parables

I think it's a little funny how we see the Savior's parables from the New Testament in today's world. We often simply declare them old-fashioned or too cultural to understand, some of which may be true. But the ironic part is the reasoning behind Jesus Christ's propensity to teach in this manner. In Matthew 11:15 he said "he that hath ears, let him hear," or in other words, if you're supposed to understand what I'm teaching than you will.

It has become a part of our modern society to push to the side nearly anything that requires virtually any effort and as such, we often lose much of the celestial wisdom that Jesus Christ brought to this earth, as recorded in the New Testament. These stories were obviously not literal and are intended to teach a point. here are some tips for gaining a better understanding of scriptural parables as found in the Bible Dictionary

(a) Do not force a meaning on subordinate incidents. 

(b) Do not regard as parallel parables that are connected by superficial likeness of imagery.

(c) Bear in mind that the same illustration does not always have the same significance—for example, leaven signifies a principle of good as well as a principle of evil. 

(d) Remember that the comparison in a parable is not complete, does not touch at every point. Thus, the characters of the unjust judge or the unjust steward or the nobleman who went into a far country—possibly referring to the infamous Archelaus—do not concern the interpretation of the parable. The parable draws a picture of life as it is, not as it ought to be, and compares certain points in this picture with heavenly doctrine. 

(e) Observe the proper proportions of a parable, and do not make the episode more prominent than the main line of teaching.

If we can keep some of those things in mind, I think we can maximize what we learn during our study of the New Testament.