Page 144 - A Dissertation for Doctor of Philosophy

presents brief definitions and scriptural examples of each figure of speech Jesus used. 176 In this

section, some of representative figures in his list will be discussed.

First, Jesus employed the figure of simile. 177 Simile says, “one thing is like another;” and it

forms a comparison using “like” or “as.” Matt. 23:37 is an example of simile,

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!
How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood
under her wings, and you were not willing!

Second, Jesus employed the use of metaphor, and judging by its frequency, it was one of

Jesus’ favorite forms. 178 Metaphor is usually defined as “an abbreviated simile, omitting the

word of comparison [i.e., ‘like’ or ‘as’].” Robert Tannehill further explains metaphor by

mentioning that “metaphor points to a meaning which lies beyond the conventional significance

of the words, a meaning which cannot be fully spelled out in other terms but which is called to

the hearer’s awareness by the tension within the metaphor.” 179 In Luke 13:32, Jesus utilizes

metaphor when he says, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and

performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work.”

176 Horne, Jesus the Master Teacher, 130-131. The following explanation of Jesus’ figures
of speech is from his book if not footnoted specifically.

177
Matt. 10:16, 17:20-21, 25:31-33, and many of Jesus’ kingdom parables that starts with
“the kingdom of heaven is like . . . ” See also Zuck, Teaching as Jesus, 186-192. He provides
good discussion on the figure of simile and a complete list of it.
178 For the helpful discussion on this topic and a complete list, see Zuck, Teaching as
Jesus, 192-93.

179
Robert C. Tannehill, “The ‘Focal Instance’ as a Form of New Testament Speech: A
Study of Matthew 5: 39b-42,” Journal of Religion 50 (October 1970): 376.// 372-85//