PARABLES OF JESUS
What is a Parable?
Jesus’ parables are recorded in the Bible for us to read and study. A parable is a story used as an illustration, often comparing a spiritual truth with an object. Parables were a common way of teaching in Judaism, so the people in the time of Jesus were familiar with their use.
Jesus used parables to keep certain truths hidden from the listeners who cared more about entertainment than they did about learning about who Jesus was. Those who understood Jesus’ purpose, could discern the truth behind Jesus’ parables. This means that not everyone understood Jesus’ message through these parables. Jesus often took the 12 disciples aside to explain what the parable meant. Read and study the parables of Jesus to gain greater understanding of the truths that Jesus taught. I am including a list of parables with the reference for each.
The following is an alphabetized list of Jesus’ parables and where you can read them:
1. Alert Servants – Mark 13:33-37
2. Barren fig tree (Repent or Perish) – Luke 13:6-9
3. Bread of Life – John 6:31-38
4. Children – Matthew 11:16-19; Luke 7:31-35
5. Dishonest Manager – Luke 16:1-13
6. Divided Kingdom – Matthew 12:24-30; Mark 3:22-27 Luke 11:14-23
7. Evil Spirit – Matthew 12:43-45; Luke 11:24-26
Faithful and Unfaithful Servants – Matthew 24:45-51, Luke 12:35-48
Feast Invitations – Luke 14:12-14
Friend at Midnight – Luke 11:5-13
Good Samaritan – Luke 10:25-37, Matthew 22:34-40, Mark 12:28-31
Great Banquet – Luke 14:15-24, Matthew 22:1-10
Great Physician – Matthew 9:10-13; Mark 2:15-17; Luke 5:29-32
Growing Seed – Mark 4:26-29
Hidden Treasure – Matthew 13:45-46
How to be a Guest – Luke 14:7-11
Jesus and Fasting – Matthew 9:14-15; Mark 2:18-20; Luke 5:33-35
King’s War – Luke 14:31-33
Lamp on a Stand – Matthew 5:14-16; Mark 4:21-23; Luke 8:16-18
Leaven – Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:20-21
Lesson from a Fig Tree – Matthew 24:32-35; Mark 13:28-32; Luke 21:29-33
Lost sheep – Luke 15:4-7, Matthew 18:12-14
Mustard Seed and Yeast – Matthew 13:31-32; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19
New and Old Treasures – Matthew 13:52
New Cloth – Matthew 9:16; Mark 2:21; Luke 5:36
New Wine – Matthew 9:17; Mark 2:22; Luke 5:37-39
Net of Fish – Matthew 13:47-50
Official who Refused to Forgive – Matthew 18:21-35
One Coin – Luke 15:8-10
Renters of a Vineyard – Matthew 21:33-46; Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-18
Shepherd and His Flock – John 10:1-18
Workers in Vineyard – Matthew 20:1-16
Wedding Banquet – Matthew 22:1-14, Luke 14:16-24
Persistent Widow – Luke 18:1-8
Pharisee and Tax Collector – Luke 18:9-14
Rich fool – Luke 12:16-21
Rich man and Lazarus – Luke 16:19-31
Salt and Light – Matthew 5:13; Mark 9:50; Luke 14:34-35
Servant’s Duty – Luke 17:7-10
Sheep and Goats – Matthew 25:31-46
Sign from God – Matthew 12:38-42; Luke 11:29-32, Mark 8:12
Two Debtors – Luke 7:41-43
The Farmer – Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23; Mark 4:3-20; Luke 8:4-15
The Lost Son – Luke 15:11-32
Ten Servants – Luke 19:11-27, Matthew 25:14-30
Two Sons – Matthew 21:28-32
Ten Talents – Matthew 25:14-30, Luke 19:12-27
Ten Virgins – Matthew 25:1-13
True Vine – John 15:1-17
Unprepared Builder – Luke 14:28-30
Weeds Among Wheat – Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Wise and Foolish Builders – Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:47-49
Wise Steward – Luke 12:42-48
