A serious question: Why did Jesus of Nazareth give parables instead of direct, straightforward answers?

A little history :Teaching in parables was common practice in Judiasm. They where very bold, rich in charatcer, symbolism, form. In this way they stood out and where eaisier to remember.

This is why he spoke in parables:

He knew there would be those who would not believe, if He taught plainly and directly and they rejected Him they would be condeming themselves.

So He taught in parables. Those that believed the truth of Him would understand the parables and the ways of God would be revealed to them.

WHY..? Because He did not come to condom the people, but to save them.

The following verses are in the Book of John, from the Bible:

God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

This is what I think:

Illustration was the best way to clearly communicate a message to a mass crowd. Also, it seems that Illustration is more easily remembered then the meatless facts. Parables seem to stick out in my mind while I can't necessarily remember those straightforward commands and statements that Jesus made.

So, to sum it up, illustration would have been the most easily understood, especially by the common people, and parables are more easily remembered.

Truth is, Jesus did both.

Parables and allegories do a great job of imparting a clear message without having it get caught up in the minutae of expressing it exactly.

For instance, there are many short parables that describe how a man should honor his word with another man when they agree to some sort of a transaction. The parable imparts a clean, simple message that everyone "gets" when they hear or read it.

Meanwhile, to express the same message in a "direct and orderly fashion," we see elaborate 5 to 300-page contracts that describe exactly how one man will honor his word to another man in the context of some transaction.

Parables, stories, allegories, etc. are more effective in many situations when you're trying to impart concepts. I and many others have used them to great effect when teaching or at public speaking engagements.

By the way, I thought it was funny how you said, "I'm a resolute atheist, but I'm asking this respectfully though." Does that mean that normally you ask disrespectful questions of Christians? :)

God bless you.

Jesus did both.

While He was preaching in parables people did not yet realize He was God.

Also parables are easier to understand for most people.

Jesus parables translate well into all languages.

If you have some direct questions, I'm available to answer.

I've read everything Jesus has said on every topic.

I've been answering questions like this for over 35 years and there are very few new questions.

The rabbis and priests were not of the seed of Jacob mostly. Jesus knew that the people most critical of Him were not even of the Jacobite (Israelite) geneology. Jesus was sent to gather the poor in spirit among others. His analogies were not strange to all. Many of the poor understood Jesus parables but the influential and powerful priests considered Jesus to be a threat because his influence with His people was significant. His parables were strange to them (the priests) and they are strange to us because those priests were not truly sanctioned by God nor were they of the seed of the Levites and we didn't live in those days therefore we don't understand what was clear to them in those days.

Matthew 13 explains the answer to this. First it was prophesied that he would teach this way (vs 14). Second, those that truly wanted to know his teachings would continue to ask until they received the answer (vs 36) this would weed out those that had just a surface interest that was not motivated by a heartfelt desire to learn.

Many people today use illustrations to get a point across. If I am not mistaken that is one of the main points taught in many speech classes.

Something worth having is worth working for.

I disagree that it dances around the question. On the contrary; the parables give very clear illustrations of the points He was making; far clearer than mere rhetoric would have done. Consider His audience. Most of the people were not educated in philosophy or religious theory. Most of the people could scarcely read or write. He spoke to them on their level, without being insulting to them.

Adults, like children, have different learning styles. To some people Jesus answered quite directly, to others he used parables. I think it was whatever helped people understand the best. Also, in the culture of the time, storytelling to make a point was quite a valid method of teaching.

When you are simple given an answer, you soon forget about and it has no further direct meaning in your life. When you are given parables, however, it causes you to reflect on them personally, and it can of a more direct influence in your life. the best things in life are earned by hard work and dedication. why should knowledge be any different? When you take the time to reflect on things, the become of more importance and value in your life.

keep in mind, many questions Christ was asked where questions people asked trying to get Christ to contridict himself. Christ wasn't trying to 'dance around the question', he was trying to get these people to stop and think about their own questions.

Because a strangely-worded answer can be interpreted in many different ways, which would allow him to appeal to a much broader range of followers, even if they only believe in what they think the message means. It all boils down to taking advantage of various people's differing perceptions instead of targeting only a certain audience.