What is a rhetorical strategy?
Again he began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” And he said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that “they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.” And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold."
Key Facts
Term Name
Rhetorical Strategy
Term Type
Literary Device
Purpose
To convey spiritual truths through engaging storytelling and provoke reflection.
Biblical Example
Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-20)
Key Takeaways
- Rhetorical strategies use storytelling and questions to convey spiritual truths.
- They shape how divine truths are received through language and structure.
- Understanding context is key to interpreting these strategies accurately.
What is a rhetorical strategy?
Rhetorical strategies in Scripture are purposeful methods that shape how divine truths are received and understood.
These strategies involve deliberate choices in language, structure, or form to persuade, teach, or provoke thought. For example, Jesus employed parables as a central rhetorical strategy, as noted in Matthew 13:34-35: 'He told them everything in parables, so he was obligated to speak to them in parables, for he could not speak to them except in parables.' This approach cloaked spiritual truths in everyday stories, inviting listeners to engage with deeper meaning. Similarly, Jesus used rhetorical questions to challenge assumptions, such as in Luke 10:25-28, where he responds to the expert in the law with a series of questions that lead to the revelation of the Great Commandment.
By embedding teachings in relatable narratives or strategic inquiries, biblical authors and speakers addressed their audiences' needs while guiding them toward reflection. This method underscores the importance of context and human engagement in communicating divine messages.
Examples of Rhetorical Strategies in Scripture
Scripture employs rhetorical strategies to engage audiences through narrative and irony, as seen in Jesus' parables and Paul's polemical techniques.
In Luke 15:3-32, Jesus uses three interwoven parables - the lost sheep, lost coin, and prodigal son - to address spiritual restoration and divine generosity. By embedding important truths in relatable stories, he invites listeners to reflect on God’s character while subtly critiquing Pharisaic attitudes toward sinners. The parables’ structure escalates emotional resonance, culminating in the father’s extravagant welcome of the prodigal, which challenges listeners to reconsider their own hearts toward repentance. This layered narrative strategy both teaches and provokes ethical response.
Paul’s rhetorical irony in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 exposes false apostles by mimicking their deceptive tactics. By hyperbolically imitating their self-aggrandizing rhetoric, he discredits their authority while affirming genuine apostolic humility. This strategic use of irony forces the Corinthian church to discern truth through contrast, aligning with his broader argument for authenticity in ministry.
How to Read Rhetorical Strategies Correctly
To read biblical rhetorical strategies accurately, focus on the speaker’s intent, cultural context, and the text’s original audience.
Jesus’ explanation of parables in Mark 4:10-13 - “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables” - reveals their purpose: to disclose divine truth to insiders while concealing it from outsiders. This underscores the need to recognize how first-century audiences would have understood stories, questions, and symbols within their cultural frameworks. Ignoring this risks misreading layered meanings as simplistic or literal.
Avoid overextending allegory by anchoring interpretations in the text’s historical purpose. Mark 4:10-13 itself warns against reducing parables to mere metaphors without grasping their intentional narrative function. Next, we will explore how these strategies shape ethical and theological reflection in Scripture.
Going Deeper
To deepen your understanding of rhetorical strategies in Scripture, consider exploring related literary forms and scholarly resources that contextualize these techniques.
Examining terms like 'parable' and 'allegory' through commentaries such as 'The Rhetoric of the Gospel of Luke' by Joel B. Green or 'Biblical Rhetoric: A Reader' edited by David A. McDonald can illuminate how these methods shape theological communication and audience engagement in the Bible.
Further Reading
Key Scripture Mentions
Mark 4:1-20
Jesus uses the parable of the sower to illustrate responses to the Gospel.
Matthew 13:34-35
Jesus explains his use of parables to reveal spiritual truths.
Luke 10:25-28
Jesus employs rhetorical questions to reveal the Great Commandment.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
Paul uses rhetorical irony to expose false apostles.
Related Concepts
Parable (Terms)
A narrative device used to illustrate spiritual truths through relatable stories.
Allegory (Terms)
A symbolic narrative method that conveys deeper spiritual meanings.
Rhetorical Question (Terms)
A question used to provoke thought rather than elicit an answer.