France zitiert in seinem Markuskommentar eine schöne Illustration von C.F.G. Moule, die Gleichnisse zu begreifen hilft (France 2002, 183f.; Zitat aus C. F. D. Moule, in E. E. Ellis and M. Wilcox (ed.), Neotestamentica et Semitica, 96–97):
- „A parable is like a modern political cartoon. A good cartoon presents an interpretative analogy, and it is for the viewer to work out its meaning, first by understanding it, then by reacting to it critically and, finally, by taking action accordingly. If the viewer is half-witted or stupid or so shallow as to be virtually incapable of being educated, no doubt he will see nothing but the mere picture, and he will not get further than saying that he likes it or dislikes it. But anyone with a grain of intelligence will respond in one way or another. He will say “Yes, of course that is exactly what is happening. I hadn’t seen it so clearly before, but now I know that I mustn’t vote Conservative [or whatever it may be] again”. Or perhaps he will say, “Yes, I see what the cartoonist is getting at, but I don’t think his interpretation is fair. He is being cruel to X, who isn’t really doing what the hog in the picture is doing.” The moment the viewer is responding in one way or another, he and the cartoonist have entered into a partnership in creating something; education is proceeding.“
Das Wort in Markus: 3:23; 4:2.10.11.13.30.33.34; 7,17; 12,1.12; 13,28
Definition bei Blight 2012, An Exegetical Summary of Mark 1–8, Dallas, S. 179: „This noun denotes a relatively short narrative with symbolic meaning“