Parables from the New Testament

"Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables, and he did not tell them anything without a parable," - Matthew 10:34 (CSB)

PARABLE — a short, simple story designed to communicate a spiritual truth, religious principle, or moral lesson; a figure of speech in which truth is illustrated by a comparison or example drawn from everyday experiences.

Parables are excellent tools that Jesus used during much of His teaching in order to teach His followers. My youth pastor taught me that a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Matthew 10: 34-35 tells us "Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables, and he did not tell them anything without a parable, ³⁵ so that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: 

I will open my mouth in parables; 

I will declare things kept secret 

from the foundation of the world."

Reflect:

Review this list of parables and pick a couple them that interest you. Read it and send me a note which one you select. I might have to create a sermon series using your responses one day.

The Parables of Jesus

Parables that appear only in the Gospel of Matthew

The Wheat and the Tares (13:24-30)

The Hidden Treasure (13:44)

The Pearl of Great Price (13:45-46)

The Dragnet (13:47-50)

The Unforgiving Servant (18:21-35)

The Workers in the Vineyard (20:1-16)

The Two Sons (21:28-32)

The Wedding Feast (22:1-14)

The Wise and Foolish Virgins (25:1-13)

The Talents (25:14-30)

Parables that appear only in the Gospel of Mark

The Growing Seed (4:26-29)

The Watchful Doorkeeper (13:32-37)

Parables that appear only in the Gospel of Luke

The Creditor Who Had Two Debtors (7:40-47)

The Good Samaritan (10:25-37)

The Friend Who Came at Midnight (11:5-8)

The Rich Fool (12:13-21)

The Faithful Servant and the Evil Servant (12:35-48)

The Barren Fig Tree (13:6-9)

The Unfinished Tower (14:25-34)

The Lost Coin (15:8-10)

The Lost Son (15:11-32)

The Unjust Steward (16:1-13)

The Condescending Master (17:7-10)

The Persistent Widow (18:1-8)

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector (18:9-14)

The Minas (19:11-27)

Parables that appear in Matthew and Luke

The Two Builders (Matt. 7:24-27; Luke 6:47-49)

The Leaven (Matt. 13:33; Luke 13:20-21)

The Lost Sheep (Matt. 18:10-14; Luke 15:1-7)

Parables that appear in Matthew, Mark, and Luke

The Lamp and the Lampstand (Matt. 5:15-16; Mark 4:21; Luke 8:16)

New Cloth on Old Garments (Matt. 9:16; Mark 2:21; Luke 5:36)

New Wine in Old Wineskins (Matt. 9:17; Mark 2:22; Luke 5:37-39)

A House Divided Against Itself (Matt. 12:25-29; Mark 3:23-27; Luke 11:17-22)

The Sower and the Seed (Matt. 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-20; Luke 8:4-15)

The Mustard Seed (Matt. 13:31-32; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19)

The Wicked Vinedressers (Matt. 21:33-41; Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-18)

The Fig Tree (Matt. 24:32-35; Mark 13:28-31; Luke 21:29-33)

Parables that appear only in the Gospel of John

The Bread of Life (John 6:32-58)

The Shepherd and the Sheep (John 10:1-18)

The Vine and the Branches (John 15:1-8)

 Youngblood, Ronald F., F. F. Bruce, and R. K. Harrison, Thomas Nelson Publishers, eds. Nelson’s new illustrated Bible dictionary 1995: n. pag. Print.