The Parables of Jesus — CrossAIHub Reference

"I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world."

Matthew 13:35 · King James Bible

What a parable is

A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Jesus taught in them constantly — to reveal the kingdom to those with ears to hear, and (as he himself says in Matthew 13:13) to hide it from those who would not receive it. About forty parables are preserved in the Gospels, most of them in Matthew and Luke.

Parables of the kingdom

The Sower · Matthew 13:1–23
The Wheat and the Tares · Matthew 13:24–30
The Mustard Seed · Matthew 13:31–32
The Leaven · Matthew 13:33
The Hidden Treasure · Matthew 13:44
The Pearl of Great Price · Matthew 13:45–46
The Dragnet · Matthew 13:47–50
The Growing Seed · Mark 4:26–29
The Labourers in the Vineyard · Matthew 20:1–16
The Ten Virgins · Matthew 25:1–13
The Talents · Matthew 25:14–30
The Wedding Feast · Matthew 22:1–14

Parables of lost and found

The Lost Sheep · Luke 15:3–7
The Lost Coin · Luke 15:8–10
The Prodigal Son · Luke 15:11–32
The Good Samaritan · Luke 10:25–37

Parables of prayer and persistence

The Friend at Midnight · Luke 11:5–13
The Persistent Widow and the Unjust Judge · Luke 18:1–8
The Pharisee and the Publican · Luke 18:9–14

Parables of judgment and stewardship

The Two Sons · Matthew 21:28–32
The Wicked Husbandmen · Matthew 21:33–46
The Unmerciful Servant · Matthew 18:23–35
The Rich Fool · Luke 12:13–21
The Rich Man and Lazarus · Luke 16:19–31
The Barren Fig Tree · Luke 13:6–9
The Sheep and the Goats · Matthew 25:31–46

Parables of the household

The Two Builders · Matthew 7:24–27
The Unfaithful Steward · Luke 12:41–48
The Great Supper · Luke 14:15–24
The Tower and the King going to War · Luke 14:28–33
The Unjust Steward · Luke 16:1–13

For the household

Read one parable a week. Discuss one question: who am I in this story? That single question, honestly answered, is enough to reshape a family over time.

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