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The word parable by derivation means a placing of one thing beside another, from which has arisen the idea of comparison, although the idea is not essentially involved in the meaning of the word. Precise definition of the word is not easy, as may be seen by comparing the attempts
that have been made to define it, and by the differences of opinion whether certain sayings should be classified as parables, or as some other figure of speech. The Shorter Oxford Dictionary gives the following meaning: "A comparison, a similitude, any saying or narration in which something is expressed in terms of something else, an allegory, an apologue. Also, any kind of enigmatical or dark saying".

In the following pages eighty sayings and stories of Jesus have been considered. some of these might be excluded by a too rigid definition of the word "parable", but we think all are either proper parable, or saying containing the germ of a parable, and therefore capable of being expanded into one. As figures of speech used by Jesus we think readers will approve their inclusion.