Understanding Jesus’ Parables Through the Clear Lens of Midrash
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To fully understand and appreciate the depth of Jesus’ parables it is important to understand how they functioned within the framework of Jewish tradition, the tradition Jesus was born and raised in. By doing this, we can gain deeper insight into the messages He conveyed.
Midrash is a Jewish interpretative tradition which takes us into the depths of scripture, exploring layers of meaning that extend far beyond what we see on the surface. Understanding Midrash can deepen our appreciation of Jesus’ teachings and actions, which are firmly grounded in Jewish thought and interpretive traditions.
In this post, we will explore what Midrash is and how it not only enriches our understanding of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh or what Christians know as the ‘Old Testament‘) but also brings to life the teachings of Jesus within their Jewish context.
Be sure to grab your free study and reflection questions at the end of the post!
What is Midrash?
The word “Midrash” comes from the Hebrew root דרש (“drash”), which means “to seek” or “to inquire” or “to investigate”. This method involves critically interpreting and explaining scripture to reveal the layers of insight that extend far beyond the literal meaning (Peshat) of the words on the page to explore what the text might suggest or imply (Derash).
Midrash encourages us to engage with Scripture in a way that promotes our seeking, questioning, and discovering connections and helps us uncover the deep and profound wisdom embedded in the texts.
Midrash is categorized into two primary types:
- Midrash Halakhah focuses on the legal interpretation of the Torah, in order to offer practical applications for the commandments (mitzvot) specified in the scriptures. This form of interpretation supported many aspects of Jewish law (Halakhah concerns that which is mandatory), providing a framework for living out the Torah in daily life.
- Midrash Aggadah involves the use of stories, fables, parables, and moral teachings to offer an understanding of the Scriptures’ characters, events, and ethical aspects. It is essentially the rabbis’ commentary on Scripture. While Halakhah concerns itself with what’s mandatory, Aggadah does not.
Understanding Jesus’ Parables Through Midrashic Methods
Yeshua’s teachings often use Midrashic methods, which, as I said, involve storytelling and deep interpretations to demonstrate spiritual truths. He frequently used parables (meshalim which is the plural of mashal)—short stories with moral lessons—and metaphors to explain complex ideas, much like the Aggadic Midrashic tradition. This technique is seen in many of His parables that use familiar symbols and stories to convey messages about God’s Kingdom.
David Stern, in his book Parables in Midrash, defines parables this way:
“A parable suggests a set of parallels between an imagined fictional event and an immediate “real” situation confronting the parable’s author and his audience.” (Stern)
For example, in Matthew 13, Yeshua tells the parable of the mustard seed. He describes how a tiny seed grows into a large tree, symbolizing how God’s Kingdom can start small and expand into something great. This mirrors the Midrashic style of drawing spiritual insights from everyday experiences and nature, highlighting how something seemingly insignificant can have great potential.
He presented to them another parable, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 It’s the smallest of all seeds; yet when it’s full grown, it’s greater than the other herbs. It becomes like a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”
Matthew 13:31-32 TLV
What is a Parable – Breaking it Down
A parable has two aspects, the mashal and the nimshal. I will explain them and how they come together.
In Jewish literature, particularly in the context of parables, the terms mashal (משל) and nimshal (נמשל) have specific roles and meanings. Here’s the distinction:
Mashal (משל)
- Definition: A mashal is a parable, allegory, or illustrative story. It is the narrative or metaphorical component used to convey a deeper lesson or principle.
- Function: The mashal serves as the vehicle for the teaching. It is typically a simple, relatable story drawn from everyday life that helps illustrate complex or abstract ideas.
- Example: A common example of a mashal is the story of the poor man and the rich man, which is used to teach a moral lesson about humility and generosity.
Nimshal (נמשל)
- Definition: The nimshal is the lesson, interpretation, or underlying message of the parable. It is the moral or spiritual takeaway that the mashal aims to convey.
- Function: The nimshal provides the real-life application or the deeper meaning behind the story told in the mashal. It is the reason the parable is told, explaining the significance of the story in practical or theological terms.
- Example: In the parable of the poor man and the rich man, the nimshal might be a teaching about the importance of humility, the dangers of pride, or the value of generosity.
Relationship Between Mashal and Nimshal
- Complementary Roles: The mashal and nimshal work together to create a complete teaching. The mashal captures attention and makes the lesson memorable, while the nimshal reveals the intended wisdom or moral.
- Structure: In rabbinic literature, a teacher might first present the mashal to engage the audience and then provide the nimshal to elucidate the lesson. This method is effective in teaching complex ideas in an accessible way.
Example from Scripture
- Mashal: A king had a vineyard which he leased to some tenants. When the time came for harvest, he sent his servants to collect the produce. The tenants mistreated the servants, and finally, the king sent his son, thinking they would respect him, but they killed him too.
- Nimshal: This parable could be interpreted (as in some rabbinic and Christian texts) to represent God’s relationship with Israel, where the king is God, the vineyard is Israel, the tenants are the leaders of Israel, the servants are the prophets, and the son is the Messiah. The lesson emphasizes the rejection of the prophets and the Messiah.
So, the mashal is the illustrative story or parable, and the nimshal is the interpretation or moral of that story. Together, they form a powerful tool in interpretation and teaching.
How Yeshua Used Midrashic Methods
Rav Carl Kinbar, a notable scholar in Messianic Jewish studies and one of my own teachers (specifically in the area of Rabbinical Writings), provides valuable insights that, when we consider them, allow us to see how Yeshua’s teachings align with Midrashic methods.
In his article “This Is My God: Midrash and Multiple Interpretations,” Kinbar explores how Midrash presents various interpretations of a single text, each offering a unique perspective. (Kinbar, 2021). Yeshua similarly engaged His listeners with multiple layers of meaning in His teachings, inviting them to seek and discover deeper truths.
Yeshua’s dialogue with the religious leaders of His time often involved interpreting and reinterpreting the Torah in ways that resonated with the Midrashic tradition. In the Sermon on the Mount, Yeshua expands upon the commandments given in the Torah, providing deeper ethical and spiritual applications (Matthew 5-7).
Rather than doing away with Torah, as some believe He did, in actuality He is placing a “fence around Torah“; establishing a boundary to keep a person from the very thing that could tempt them and cause them to sin in the first place.
“You have heard it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever commits murder shall be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be subject to judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca’ shall be subject to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be subject to fiery Gehenna.”
matthew 5:21-22 tlv
Midrash and the New Testament
Understanding Midrash can significantly enrich our reading of the New Testament. The New Testament writers were deeply rooted in Jewish thought and tradition and often used Midrashic techniques to express their messages. For example, Paul regularly uses Midrashic methods to interpret the Hebrew Scriptures through the lens of Yeshua’s revelation.
In Galatians 4:21-31, Paul interprets the story of Hagar and Sarah in an allegorical way to illustrate the connection between the Sinai Covenant and the Covenant in Yeshua and the present Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem above.
This method, which digs in and finds deeper meanings in the story (or what I like to call “nuggets of wisdom”), is a classic example of Midrashic interpretation. By using this technique, Paul helps the community better understand faith in Yeshua through the lens of these familiar biblical stories.
Now these things are being treated allegorically, for these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, giving birth to slavery—this is Hagar. 25 But this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery along with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free—she is our mother.
galatians 4:24-26 tlv
The Role of Midrash in Messianic Judaism
As a Messianic Jew, Midrash is particularly significant for me, and the Messianic Jewish community, because it bridges Jewish tradition with the teachings of Yeshua. As Rav Carl discusses in his writings, engaging with Midrash helps Messianic Jews connect more deeply with their heritage and understand how the teachings of Yeshua fulfill and expand upon the Torah and the Prophets.
Kinbar’s article, “I Will Dwell Among Them”: The Shekhinah and the People of God in Midrash,” explores how Midrash illuminates the concept of the Shekhinah, or Divine Presence, and its relationship with the community of Israel. He explains that the promise of God’s presence among followers of Yeshua can be understood through the lens of Midrash in the image of the Shekhinah dwelling with Israel (Kinbar, 2020).
Applying Midrashic Insights Today
Engaging with Midrash can deepen our spiritual journey and enhance our understanding of both the Tanakh and the New Testament. In the Galilean Jewish community, sages and their disciples engaged in lifelong study of the Tanakh and Midrash, often dedicating significant portions of their day to this practice.
The Beit Midrash was the central place for such intensive study, which included research, discussion, and debate among scholars. Galilean Judaism of the time was a blend of Torah-based practices and local customs. This environment would have shaped Jesus’ own practice and understanding.
Now, you may not want to study Midrash itself (it’s not the easiest and takes quite some time) but you may want to learn more about the method. Using the definitions and information I gave on the mashal and nimshal can be applied when you are reading a parable.
There are also some simple ways you can incorporate the Midrashic method into your own studies. Here are some ways to do so!
- Explore Layers of Meaning: When reading the Scriptures, consider the various layers of meaning that might be present. Look for connections between different parts of the Bible (connections to other verses are often noted in the text) and think about how the text speaks to various aspects of life and faith.
- Engage with Some Jewish Commentaries: Broaden your study by incorporating some of the traditional Jewish commentaries and Midrashic literature to gain insight into how the sages have interpreted the Scriptures through the centuries. This can provide you with a deeper understanding of the text and its applications. Rabbinic Stories, which was one of our texts in my graduate Rabbinic Writings class with Rav Carl, and Parables in Midrash are great books to deepen your study. They are not the easiest reads but if you enjoy those kinds of books, these are amazing.
- Participate in Group Study: Midrash is often a communal activity, encouraging dialogue and discussion with others. Engage with other people in studying the Word, sharing insights, and learning from each other’s perspectives. We have a Bible Study group on Facebook you are welcome to join and study the Word with us! We also have a Discord group where you can find others to study with. You can email me at diane@worthbeyondrubies.com to request access to Discord. I regularly do free studies in each of them.
- Reflect on Yeshua’s Teachings: Consider how Yeshua’s parables and teachings align with Midrashic methods. Reflect on the deeper spiritual truths He conveys and how they connect with the broader narrative of God’s work in the world. Find those “little nuggets” in life. I wrote a blog post on my experience with a cup of coffee. A cup of coffee generated a spiritual message! That is the kind of thing you want to look for as you go through your day! Go nugget hunting!
Midrash opens up a world of rich interpretation and deeper understanding of the Scriptures. For non-Jewish followers of Yeshua, it can help connect you deeply to the Jewish foundation of your faith and offers profound insights into Yeshua’s teachings. By learning more about Midrashic methods, we can uncover the layers of meaning within the Bible and apply its timeless truths to our lives.
Rav Carl Kinbar’s writings on Midrash provide a valuable resource for exploring these connections. His articles, available on Kesher Journal, offer a thoughtful and very scholarly approach to understanding Midrash and its significance for the body of Messiah.
Exploring the depths of Midrash allows us to participate in a longstanding tradition of uncovering divine wisdom in the Scriptures. This practice brings us closer to God and enhances our faith journey in Yeshua.
I will be doing some posts on individual parables of Jesus so keep an eye out for those or better yet, subscribe to our email list so you can be notified when those posts are available!
Want to study the parables more using this method? Download your FREE Parables of Jesus Study & Reflection Questions here!
Tree of Life (TLV) – Scripture taken from the Holy Scriptures, Tree of Life Version*. Copyright © 2014,2016 by the Tree of Life Bible Society. Used by permission of the Tree of Life Bible Society.
References
- Kinbar, C. (2021). This Is My God: Midrash and Multiple Interpretations. Kesher Journal.
- Kinbar, C. (2020). “I Will Dwell Among Them”: The Shekhinah and the People of God in Midrash. Kesher Journal.
- Kinbar, C. (2019). The Sages of Galilee and the Formation of Community. Kesher Journal.
- Stern, D. (1991). Parables in Midrash: Narrative and Exegesis in Rabbinic Literature. Harvard University Press.