Horne's Nine Interpretations

Thomas Hartwell Horne, in his work, Introduction to the Critical Study and Knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, presents nine rules to guide in the interpretation of parables. An analysis of these rules can group Horne’s principles into three categories: 1) The purpose of parables; 2) the structure of parables; and 3) the careful interpreting of parables.

According to Horne’s ninth rule, parables, and particularly those of Christ, are to “convey some important moral precepts, of which we should never lose sight in interpreting parables.” This shows that parables are, above all else, means by which moral truths are communicated, even in the case of those parables which point to some future event or state. For example, the Parable of the Wheat

Again with reference to the Wheat and Tares, this parable is explained by Christ as referring to the sowing of “false converts” among the believers in the Kingdom by Satan, and provides within the context of the Kingdom parables in Matthew 13 a solemn warning about this danger.

The third category presented by Horne, the careful interpretation of parabolic imagery, is the focus of rules four through eight. According to rule four, “for the right explanation and application of parables, their general scope and design must be ascertained.” This, as previously mentioned, refers to fitting the parable within its context.

Rules six and eight deal with basic interpretation principles for parables. In rule six Horne writes, “As every parable has two senses, the literal or external, and the mystical or internal sense, the literal sense must be first explained, in order that the correspondence between it and the mystical sense may be more readily perceived.” This involves a clear description of the scene presented in the image of the parable so that the elements essential to presenting the spiritual truth of the internal sense may be clearly

As an example, a good understanding of 1st century Palestinian farming practices will provide invaluable aid in understanding the Wheat and Tares parable as it was seen by Jesus’ hearers.

Along the same lines, Horne’s rule five states, “Wherever the words of Jesus seem to be capable of different senses, we may with certainty conclude that to be the true one which lies most level to the apprehension of his auditors.” By becoming versed in the historical and cultural milieu of the parable’s image, the interpreter will be well armed to discern which sense of Jesus’ words would have been apparent to His