The Parable's of Jesus

"In Christ's teaching the unknown was illustrated by the known; divine truths by earthly things with which the people were most familiar."
                                                                                                                              
Christ's Object Lessons, page 17

A parable is an illustration using either a story, something seen, or something known to teach a lesson.  Illustrations stay with us longer and so Jesus used illustrations to teach the people about God the Father, about the Kingdom of Heaven and even to teach us something about Himself.  Much more can be learned from these parables than can be written here, but you should find this web site contains many links to information that can help you dig deeper into these parables and their meanings.

Jesus wanted us to know what God was really like.  He wanted us to know what kind of character God has.  By studying these parables we can come to know our Creator better and come to love Him more.  (To understand His purpose better read Teaching in Parables.)

In the days when Jesus was on the earth, there were some who really wanted to know the truths that He taught.  These people understood what Jesus was saying.  There were others that were not interested in knowing truth, but were looking for something that they could use against Him.  These spies did not understand what was being said and so Jesus was also protecting Himself until the time of His death was close.  In fact, many of the parables that Jesus spoke were given in the last 6 months before He died on the cross.  (See the Ministry of Jesus Timeline.)

Matthew
13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

 

Here is a list of parables Jesus used to teach us about our Father:

Parable Matthew Mark Luke John
Alert servants      13:33-37    
Barren fig tree       13:6-9  
Bread of life         6:31-38
Budding fig tree   24:32-35 13:28-32 21:29-33  
Children in market   11:16-19   7:31-35  
Christian light    5:14-16 4:21-23 8:16-18  
Dinner guests        14:15-24  
Divided kingdom    12:24-30 3:22-27 11:14-23  
Feast invitations        14:12-14  
Friend at midnight       11:5-13  
Good Samaritan        10:25-37  
Good shepherd          10:1-18
Great physician    9:10-13 2:15-17 5:29-32  
Groom's attendants    9:14-15 2:18-20 5:33-35  
Growing seed      4:26-29    
Hidden treasure    13:44      
Householder     13:52      
Humbled guest        14:7-11  
King's war plans       14:31-33  
Laborers in vineyard   20:1-16      
Landowner     21:33-46 12:1-12 20:9-18  
Leaven     13:33   13:20-21  
Lost coin        15:8-10  
Lost sheep        15:4-7  
Marriage feast    22:1-14      
Mustard seed    13:31-32 4:30-32 13:18-19  
Net of fish   13:47-50      
New cloth    9:16 2:21 5:36  
New wine    9:17 2:22 5:37-39  
Pearl of great price  13:45-46      
Pharisee and Tax Collector      18:9-14  
Prodigal son        15:11-32  
Rich man & Lazarus      16:19-31  
Rich fool        12:16-21  
Salt without taste  

5:13

9:50 14:34-35  
Servant's duty        17:7-10  
Sheep and goats   25:31-46      
Sign of Jonah   12:38-42   11:29-32  
Tares in field (1st part) 13:24-30      
Tares in field (2nd part) 13:36-43      
Ten Minas        19:11-27  
Ten talents    25:14-30      
Ten virgins    25:1-13      
The Sower (1st part)  13:3-9 4:3-20 8:4-15  
The Sower (2nd part)  13:18-23      
Two debtors        7:41-43  
Two sons    21:28-32      
Unclean spirit    12:43-45   11:24-26  
Unjust judge        18:1-8  
Unjust steward        16:1-13  
Unmerciful servant    18:21-35      
Unprepared builder        14:28-30  
Vine and branches         15:1-17
Watching servants        12:35-40  
Wise builder    7:24-27   6:47-49  
Wise servant    24:45-51      
Wise steward        12:42-48  

For a study of many of these parables read:

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