The Parables of Jesus
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The Parable of the Sower
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Sower 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Kingdom of God / Heaven; Reception of the Word; Spiritual Growth and Fruitfulness 4. Parable Summary The Parable of the Sower presents a sower scattering seed across four types of ground: the path, rocky…
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The Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds (Tares)
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds (Tares) 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Kingdom of God / Heaven; Coexistence of Good and Evil; Final Judgement 4. Parable Summary Jesus tells of a man who sowed good wheat seed in his field. While he…
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The Parable of the Mustard Seed
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Mustard Seed 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Kingdom of God / Heaven; Small Beginnings and Great Expansion; Divine Sovereignty 4. Parable Summary Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a mustard seed — a seed known for its minute size…
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The Parable of the Leaven
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Leaven(also known as The Parable of the Yeast) 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Kingdom of God / Heaven; Hidden Transformation; Spiritual Influence 4. Parable Summary Jesus likens the Kingdom of Heaven to leaven (yeast) that a woman takes and mixes…
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The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Hidden Treasure 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Kingdom of God / Heaven; Joyful Discovery; Costly Discipleship; Eternal Value 4. Parable Summary Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to treasure hidden in a field. A man finds it, hides it again,…
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The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price(also known as The Pearl of Great Value) 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Kingdom of God / Heaven; Sacrificial Discipleship; Recognition of True Worth 4. Parable Summary Jesus tells of a merchant in search of fine pearls…
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The Parable of the Growing Seed
1. Introduction The Parable of the Growing Seed, found only in Mark’s Gospel (Mark 4:26–29), is one of Jesus’ shortest and most under-discussed parables. Yet it offers profound insights into the nature of God’s Kingdom as a divine process that operates beyond human comprehension. The image of a seed growing…
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The Parable of the Dragnet
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Dragnet(also known as The Net) 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Kingdom of God / Heaven; Final Judgment; Separation of the Righteous and Wicked 4. Parable Summary Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a dragnet that is cast into the…
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The Parable of the Ten Virgins
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Ten Virgins(also known as The Wise and Foolish Virgins) 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Judgment and Eschatology; Readiness for Christ’s Return; Wisdom and Watchfulness 4. Parable Summary Jesus tells of ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to…
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The Parable of the Talents
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Talents(related but distinct from The Parable of the Minas in Luke 19:11–27) 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Judgment and Eschatology; Stewardship; Faithful Service; Eternal Reward or Loss 4. Parable Summary Jesus tells of a man going on a journey who…
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The Parable of the Minas
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Minas(also called The Ten Servants or The Pounds) 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Stewardship; Accountability; Leadership; Reward and Judgment; Kingdom Delay 4. Parable Summary As Jesus approaches Jerusalem, He tells a parable to correct the mistaken belief that the Kingdom…
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The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats(also known as The Judgment of the Nations) 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Judgment and Eschatology; Compassion and Justice; Kingdom Ethics 4. Parable Summary Jesus describes a future scene where the Son of Man comes in His…
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The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders(also known as The Two Foundations) 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Judgment and Eschatology; Obedience; Discipleship; Spiritual Foundations 4. Parable Summary Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount (or the Sermon on the Plain in Luke) with…
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The Parable of the Faithful and Unfaithful Servants
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Faithful and Unfaithful Servants(also known as The Wise Manager or The Two Servants) 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Judgment and Eschatology; Leadership Accountability; Preparedness and Stewardship 4. Parable Summary Jesus speaks of a master who appoints a servant over his…
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The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Judgment and Eschatology; Divine Patience; Repentance and Fruitfulness 4. Parable Summary Jesus tells of a man who planted a fig tree in his vineyard and came looking for fruit on it for…
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The Parable of the Lost Sheep
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Lost Sheep 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Grace, Mercy, and Forgiveness; Divine Pursuit; Joy in Repentance 4. Parable Summary Jesus tells of a shepherd who has one hundred sheep. When one goes astray, he leaves the ninety-nine in the open…
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The Parable of the Lost Coin
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Lost Coin 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Grace, Mercy, and Forgiveness; Divine Pursuit; Joy in Repentance 4. Parable Summary Jesus tells of a woman who has ten silver coins and loses one. She lights a lamp, sweeps the house, and…
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The Parable of the Prodigal Son
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Prodigal Son(also known as The Lost Son) 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Grace, Mercy, and Forgiveness; Repentance; Restoration; Divine Fatherhood 4. Parable Summary Jesus tells of a man with two sons. The younger demands his inheritance early, leaves home, and…
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The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Grace, Mercy, and Forgiveness; Accountability; Reciprocity in Mercy 4. Parable Summary Jesus tells of a king who wishes to settle accounts with his servants. One servant owes an enormous debt (ten thousand talents)…
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The Parable of the Two Debtors
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Two Debtors 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Grace, Mercy, and Forgiveness; Love; Gratefulness; Spiritual Awareness 4. Parable Summary Jesus is dining at the house of Simon the Pharisee when a woman known as a sinner anoints His feet with her…
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The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard(also known as The Labourers in the Vineyard) 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Grace, Mercy, and Forgiveness; Divine Generosity; Kingdom Reversal 4. Parable Summary Jesus tells of a landowner who hires workers at various times throughout the…
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The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Grace, Mercy, and Forgiveness; Humility; Justification 4. Parable Summary Jesus tells of two men who go to the temple to pray: Jesus concludes that it is the tax collector who…
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The Parable of the Cost of Discipleship
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Cost of Discipleship(also known as The Tower Builder and the Warring King) 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Discipleship and Faith; Commitment; Sacrifice; Prioritisation of the Kingdom 4. Parable Summary Jesus presents two short illustrations to explain the seriousness of following…
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The Parable of the Friend at Midnight
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Friend at Midnight 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Discipleship and Faith; Prayer; Persistence; Boldness in Approach to God 4. Parable Summary Jesus tells of a man who goes to a friend at midnight to ask for three loaves of bread…
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The Parable of the Unjust Judge (Persistent Widow)
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Unjust Judge(also known as The Persistent Widow) 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Discipleship and Faith; Prayer; Perseverance; Divine Justice 4. Parable Summary Jesus tells of a widow who persistently pleads for justice from a judge who neither fears God nor…
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The Parable of the Rich Fool
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Rich Fool 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Discipleship and Faith; Wealth and Materialism; Mortality; Spiritual Priorities 4. Parable Summary Jesus tells of a rich man whose land produces abundantly. He decides to tear down his barns and build larger ones…
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The Parable of the Dishonest Manager
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Dishonest Manager(also known as The Shrewd Steward) 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Discipleship and Faith; Stewardship; Wisdom; Faithfulness with Resources 4. Parable Summary Jesus tells of a manager who is about to be fired for mismanaging his master’s property. Knowing…
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The Parable of the Lamp under a Basket
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Lamp under a Basket(also known as The Lamp on a Stand) 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Discipleship and Faith; Witness; Visibility; Responsibility 4. Parable Summary Jesus compares disciples to a lamp that, once lit, is not meant to be hidden…
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The Parable of the New Cloth and New Wineskins
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the New Cloth and New Wineskins 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Discipleship and Faith; Renewal; Covenant Transformation; Receptivity to Change 4. Parable Summary Jesus compares His message and ministry to new fabric and new wine. He states that: Luke’s account adds:…
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The Parable of the Good Samaritan
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Good Samaritan 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Love and Mercy to Others; Neighbourliness; Compassion; Social Boundaries 4. Parable Summary Jesus tells of a man travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho who is attacked by robbers, stripped, beaten, and left for dead.…
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The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Love and Mercy to Others; Wealth and Justice; Eternal Consequences; Reversal of Fortune 4. Parable Summary Jesus presents a striking contrast between two men: Both men die. Lazarus is carried by…
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The Parable of the Great Banquet
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Great Banquet(also known as The Wedding Banquet) 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Love and Mercy to Others; Divine Invitation; Inclusion and Exclusion; Grace and Responsibility 4. Parable Summary A man (or a king, in Matthew’s account) prepares a great banquet…
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The Parable of the Two Sons
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Two Sons 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Love and Mercy to Others; Obedience; Repentance; Faithfulness in Action 4. Parable Summary Jesus presents a story of a father who asks his two sons to work in the vineyard: Jesus asks, “Which…
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The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Wicked Tenants(also known as The Parable of the Vineyard or The Parable of the Tenants in the Vineyard) 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Love and Mercy to Others; Rejection of God’s Messengers; Accountability; Judgment and Restoration 4. Parable Summary A…
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The Saying: The Salt of the Earth
1. Title of the Saying The Salt of the Earth 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Short Parabolic Sayings / Similitudes; Discipleship; Influence; Integrity; Witness 4. Saying Summary Jesus declares to His disciples: “You are the salt of the earth.” (Matt. 5:13)But He warns that if salt loses its taste,…
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The Saying: Light of the World
1. Title of the Saying The Light of the World 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Short Parabolic Sayings / Similitudes; Witness; Visibility; Mission; Discipleship 4. Saying Summary Jesus tells His disciples: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”“Nor do people…
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The Saying: Eye as a Lamp
1. Title of the Saying The Eye as a Lamp of the Body 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Short Parabolic Sayings / Similitudes; Inner Clarity; Perception; Moral Discernment; Integrity 4. Saying Summary Jesus teaches: “Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole…
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The Saying: The Speck and the Log
1. Title of the Saying The Speck and the Log(also known as The Mote and the Beam) 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Short Parabolic Sayings / Similitudes; Hypocrisy; Self-Examination; Judgment; Humility 4. Saying Summary Jesus asks: “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but…
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The Saying: The Blind Leading the Blind
1. Title of the Saying The Blind Leading the Blind 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Short Parabolic Sayings / Similitudes; False Guidance; Spiritual Discernment; Leadership and Accountability 4. Saying Summary Jesus offers a stark warning: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into…
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The Parable of the Wedding Banquet (Rejection)
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Wedding Banquet (with emphasis on rejection) 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Rebuke or Warning to Religious Leaders; Kingdom Invitation; Judgment; Unworthiness; External vs. Internal Righteousness 4. Parable Summary Jesus tells a story of a king who prepares a wedding feast…
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The Parable of the Rich Fool
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Rich Fool (with application to the Pharisees) 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Rebuke or Warning to Religious Leaders; Greed; Vanity; Misplaced Security; Eternal Accountability 4. Parable Summary Jesus tells a parable about a rich man whose land yields a plentiful…
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The Symbolic Act: The Cursed Fig Tree
1. Title of the Parable The Cursed Fig Tree (Symbolic Act of Judgment) 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Symbolic Rebuke to Religious Leaders; Judgment; Fruitlessness; Hypocrisy; Appearance vs. Reality 4. Parable Summary While not a parable in the traditional narrative form, the cursing of the fig tree is a…