Allegory, Allegories (Allegorical Interpretation)

Allegory, Allegories (Allegorical Interpretation)

Meaning
An allegory is a word picture meant to convey a spiritual truth. And the term “Allegorical Interpretation” refers to interpreting the Bible either in part or in its entirety as an allegory. While there are parts of the Bible, which are given as an allegory the Bible consist of many different types of writing. The Bible has allegories, poetry, historical accounts as well as God’s commandments and precepts.

It is important to understand that in most cases when an allegory is used in scripture, it is almost always followed up with an explanation of the allegory. A perfect example of this is the parable Jesus told about the sower. Jesus later explained to His disciples why the different seeds which were sown represented different responses people have to hearing the word of God.

“For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children, but the Jerusalem above is free, which is our mother.” (Book of Galatians 4:22-26)

“Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: ‘Behold, a sower went out to sow. “And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear'” (Gospel of Matthew 13:3-9)

“And the disciples came and said to Him, ‘Why do You speak to them in parables? Therefore hear the parable of the sower: ‘When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.'” (Gospel of Matthew 13:10, 18-23)