The Parables Of Jesus

by Don Hite

The parables of Jesus account for nearly 1/3 of the gospels by Matthew, Mark and Luke.

A parable is basically a short brief story given to illustrate a moral lesson and Jesus used them quite often.

The parables of Jesus (and their purpose) even seemed to confuse those closest to Him.

When the disciples of Jesus asked him why he spoke to the people in parables he replied in Matthew 13:10-17 that they knew the secrets of heaven but the people did not so in effect he was speaking of the secrets of heaven in easy to understand terms that the people could understand by providing common examples.

He also told them that it was to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 6:9-10 – NIV

"He said, Go and tell this people: " 'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.'

Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed."

The parables of Jesus appear in all of the New Testament Gospels with the exception of the Gospel of John. Throughout the Gospels parables are sprinkled in here and there but many are not referred to as Parables such as Mark 13:32-34. Provided below are the NIV references to the Parables of Jesus for your reference:

Matthew 13:1-23 The Parable of the Sower
Matthew 13:24-30 The Parable of the Weeds
Matthew 13:31-35 The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast
Matthew 13:44-46 The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl
Matthew 13:47-52 The Parable of the Net
Matthew 18:10-14 The Parable of the Lost Sheep
Matthew 18:21-35 The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
Matthew 20:1-16 The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
Matthew 21:28-32 The Parable of the Two Sons
Matthew 21:33-46 The Parable of the Tenants
Matthew 22:1-14 The Parable of the Wedding Banquet
Matthew 25:1-13 The Parable of the Ten Virgins
Matthew 25:14-30 The Parable of the Talents

Mark 4:1-20 The Parable of the Sower
Mark 4:26-29 The Parable of the Growing Seed
Mark 4:30-34 The Parable of the Mustard Seed
Mark 12:1-12 The Parable of the Tenants

Luke 8:1-15 The Parable of the Sower
Luke 10:25-37 The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Luke 12:13-21 The Parable of the Rich Fool
Luke 13:18-21 The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast
Luke 14:15-24 The Parable of the Great Banquet
Luke 15:1-7 The Parable of the Lost Sheep
Luke 15:8-10 The Parable of the Lost Coin
Luke 15:11-32 The Parable of the Lost Son
Luke 16:1-15 The Parable of the Shrewd Manager
Luke 18:1-8 The Parable of the Persistent Widow
Luke 18:9-14 The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
Luke 19:11-27 The Parable of the Ten Minas
Luke 20:9-19 The Parable of the Tenants