The Parables of Jesus are a collection of parables told by Jesus that embody much of his teaching and are recorded in the four Gospels. They are the best known examples of stories referred to as parables, and so form the prototype for the term parable.

Occurrence

Each of the four canonical Gospels contains parables of Jesus unique to that Gospel, with two of the best known, the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan, both being among those that occur only in the Gospel of Luke.

Only two parables occur in the Gospel of John, and both are unique to that Gospel.

A few parables appear in more than one of the synoptic Gospels, with three of them occurring in all three of these gospels (The Parable of the Lamp), and another two (some say three, on the grounds that the parables of the Talents and the Pounds are essentially the same story) in both Matthew and Luke. But no parable is common to the Gospel of Mark and either Matthew or Luke but not both; That is, if a parable occurs in Mark and also somewhere else, then it appears in all three. This observation is one of those used to try to identify and analyse the sources used by the gospel writers, see Q document.

Parables also exist in the Old Testament and in many other writings, see parable.

Themes and examples

Jesus' parables

• The coming of the Kingdom.
• The character of God.
• Morality and justice.

Some of the parables focus exclusively on one of these, others on several.

The titles in the lists below link to articles, if they exist; The bible references are external links to the full texts.

The coming of the Kingdom

• The Wise
  
  
  
  and the Foolish Builders, also known as The house built on the rock or The house built on the sand and variations of those, .
• The Sower, .
• The Tares,
• Mustard Seed, .
• The Leaven, unusual in the leaven is used here as a positive symbol, where everywhere else in the Bible it is a symbol of evil. , .
• The Hidden Treasure or The treasure in the field, .
• The Pearl of Great Price, .
• Drawing in the Net, .
• The Laborers in the Vineyard, .
• The Wicked Husbandman, , , .
• The Marriage of the King's Son, , also known as the Wedding feast.
• The Leafing Fig Tree, .
• The Ten Virgins, or The wise and foolish virgins, .
• The Ten Talents, .
• The Sheep and the Goats, .
• The Seed Growing Secretly or The Growing Seed, .
• Man Going On a Far Journey, .
• The Servants Waiting for Their Lord, .
• The Great Supper, .
• The Vine, .

Why did Jesus Christ teach with parables?

• To help His Disciples learn from previous experiences.

"This type of 'apperceptive' teaching results in clarity of understanding, interest and a sense of relevancy. 'Apperception' is defined as 'the process of understanding something perceived in terms of previous experience.' This means that if we have something difficult to teach, such as honesty or reverence or love, we should begin with the experience of the student and talk about the things he already knows. Then when we make a transfer or comparison with what we want him to know, he will perceive the meaning."

• To conceal principles of Truth from those not spiritually ready to receive them.

In Jesus explains why he speaks in parables: And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. (King James Version). See also , .

• To protect and shield from persecution the apostles and early church members.

"Withholding the information may also have been for the protection of the disciples, to shield them from the envy of the Pharisees and from consequent persecution that might have arisen had there been plain speaking at that particular stage of the ministry."

• To maintain interest and help his listeners understand how the principle can be applied in daily living.

Guidelines for studying the parables

When one begins to study the Parables of Jesus, following a few guidelines will augment one's understanding of the parable.

1. Identify the circumstances under which the parables was given (context).
2. Identify the symbolic comparisons within the parable. Listing the comparisons in a side-by-side format helps in quickly identifying the interpretation of the parable. Be careful not to push the comparison of the parable too far; some elements of the parable may not apply.
3. Identify the spiritual truth or principle taught by the parable. The purpose of a parable is to teach a principle. In the case of the parables taught by Jesus, the truths taught are spiritual in nature.
4. Study scripture cross references and explanations by biblical scholars. Much research has already been done about the parables of Jesus. Use other's knowledge and experience as a supplement to your study.
5. Pray for inspiration and ponder the parable and its personal application in daily life. One reason the Lord taught in parables was to help us understand how to apply the principles of the Gospel in our lives. Without applying the lessons learned, there is no reason to study the parables of Jesus.

See also

• Parable
• List of New Testament stories#Parables told by Jesus for a complete list more clearly showing corresponding passages in the different Gospels, and with links to the full texts.

References

• Packer, Boyd K. Teach Ye Diligently, p. 20
• Matthews, Robert J. The Parables of Jesus, pp. 5-6