Parables of the Bible

Stories & Illustrations by Jesus

Jesus was a storyteller. The stories and illustrations He told were called parables and there is something unique about them that made them stand out.

Throughout the more than 40 parables that Jesus taught throughout the Bible, He used parables to influence and challenge the thinking of the original audience and to help people consider a different perspective about Himself and the kingdom of God.

Parables can do the same for us today as they did for the original audience. They can give us a fresh perspective on Jesus’ ministry and understanding that God offers His kingdom to EVERYONE. They show us that by choosing Christ, we are putting Jesus first instead of status, money or success.

Check out this list of parables spoken by Jesus in the Bible.

List of Parables of the Bible

 
  PARABLES
  MATTHEW
  MARK
  LUKE
 
  Salt of the
  Earth
  Matthew
  5:13
  Mark
  9:50
   
  Lamp Under a
  Bowl
  Matthew
  5:14-16
  Mark
  4:21-22
  Luke
  8:16, 11:33
 
  Wise and
  Foolish Builders
  Matthew 7:24-27
   
  Luke 6:47-49
 
  New Cloth on
  an Old Coat
  Matthew 9:16
  Mark 2:21
  Luke 5:36
 
  New Wine in
  Old Wineskins
  Matthew 9:17
  Mark 2:22
  Luke 5:37-39
 
  The Two
  Debtors
   
  Luke 7:40-43
 
  The Sower
  Matthew 13:1-23
  Mark 4:1-20
  Luke 8:4-15
 
  The Good
  Samaritan
   
  Luke 10:25-37
 
  The Friend at
  Midnight
   
  Luke 11:5-13
 
  Growing Seed
   
  Mark 4:26-29
   
  The Rich Fool
   
  Luke 12:13-21
 
  The Watchful
  Servants
   
  Mark 13:35-37
  Luke 12:35-40
 
  Unfruitful
  Fig Tree
   
  Luke 13:6-9
 
  The Weeds
  Matthew 13:24-30,
  36-43
   
  The Seed
  Matthew 13:31-32
  Mark 4:26-30
  Luke 13:18-19
 
  Yeast
  Matthew 13:33
   
  Luke 13:20-21
 
  The Concealed
  Treasure
  Matthew 13:44
   
  The Pearl
  Matthew 13:45-46
   
  The Casting
  of the Net into the Sea
  Matthew 13:47-50
   
  Owner of a
  House
  Matthew 13:52
   
  The Lost
  Sheep
  Matthew 18:12-14
   
  Luke 15:3-7
 
  The
  Unforgiving Servant
  Matthew 18:23-35
   
  The Vineyard
  Workers
  Matthew 20:1-16
   
  Lowest Seat
  at the Feast
   
  Luke 14:7-14
 
  The Great
  Feast
   
  Luke 14:16-24
 
  Cost of
  Discipleship
   
  Luke 14:28-33
 
  The Lost Coin
   
  Luke 15:8-10
 
  The Prodigal
  Son 
   
  Luke 15:11-32
 
  The Shrewd
  Manager
   
  Luke 16:1-13
 
  The Rich Man
  and Lazarus
   
  Luke 16:19-31
 
  Master and
  His Servant
   
  Luke 17:7-10
 
  Persistent
  Widow
   
  Luke 18:1-8
 
  The Two Sons
  Matthew 21:28-32
   
  The Vineyard
  Owner
  Matthew 21:33-44
  Mark 12:1-11
  Luke 20:9-18
 
  The Marriage
  Feast
  Matthew 22:1-14
   
  Fig Tree
  Matthew 24:32-35
  Mark 13:28-31
  Luke 21:29-33
 
  Faithful and
  Wise Servant
  Matthew 24:45-51
   
  Luke 12:42-48
 
  The Pharisee
  and the Tax Collector
   
  Luke 18:9-14
 
  Ten Virgins
  Matthew 25:1-13
   
  The Talent
  Matthew 25:14-30
   
  Luke 19:11-27
 
  The Sheep and
  the Goats
  Matthew 25:31-46

Check out The Parables Bible Study to learn how to specifically study Parables, or the CHARA Bible Study Guide to learn how to study the Bible overall.

List of Parables of the Bible

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