Parables of Jesus
PARABLE MEANING MATTHEW MARK LUKE
Lamp under a bowl Let the light of Jesus shine through you 5:14-16 4:21-22 8:16-17; 11:33-36
Wise and foolish builders Practice the words of Jesus for firm foundation 7:24-27 6:46-49
New cloth on an old garment Jesus didn’t come to patch an old system but renew it 9:16 2:21 5:36
New wine in old wineskins Legalistic religion can’t hold living faith of Jesus 9:17 2:22 5:37-38
Sower and the seeds Let God’s Word take root in your life 13:3-8, 18-23 4:3-8, 13-20 8:5-8, 11-15
Weeds in the field His kingdom will be weeded in the end of the age 13:24-30, 36-43
Mustard seed God’s kingdom grows and knows no boundaries 13:31-32 4:30-32 13:18-19
Yeast God’s kingdom will reach the entire world 13:33 13:20-21
Hidden treasure God’s kingdom is worth everything 13:44
Valuable pearl Nothing is more valuable than God’s kingdom 13:45-46
Net of good and bad fish Angels will come to separate the good and bad 13:47-50
Owner of a house Share your godly wisdom, both old and new 13:52
Lost sheep God seeks out the lost 18:12-14 15:4-7
Unmerciful servant Forgive others as God has forgiven you 18:23-35
Workers in the vineyard Belivers, no matter how long, all receive eternal life 20:1-16
Two sons Promises or intentions are not the same as obedience 21:28-32
Evil tenants God will judge the religious leaders opposed to Jesus 21:33-44 12:1-11 20:9-18
Wedding banquet Many are invited to the kingdom, but few are chosen 22:2-14 14:16-24
Fig tree Fig tree represents Israel, he curses it for its rejection 24:32-35 13:28-31 21:29-33
Faithful and wicked servant Be ready and keep watch for Christ’s return 24:45-51 12:42-48
Ten virgins Anticipate his return 25:1-13
Talents Do well with what you have, no matter the amount 25:14-30 19:12-27
Sheep and goats Believers and nonbelievers will be separated 25:31-46
Growing seed God’s kingdom grows, but harvest is coming 4:26-29
Watchful servants Be alert, Jesus is coming back 13:32-37 12:35-40
Money lender Those forgiven of much, love much 7:41-43
Good Samaritan Show love and mercy to all 10:30-37
Friend in need God hears your prayers, go to him and ask 11:5-8
Rich fool Don’t hoard, be rich toward God 12:16-21
Unfruitful fig tree Bear the fruit of your faith 13:6-9
Lowest seat at the feast Be humble and you will be exhalted 14:7-14
Cost of discipleship Be willing to give up anything to follow Jesus 14:28-33
Lost coin Angels rejoice over one sinner who repents 15:8-10
Prodigal son Repent and return to your Father who forgives 15:11-32
Shrewd manager Who can be trusted with little can be trusted with much 16:1-13
Rich man and Lazarus Rich or poor does not indicate favor from God 16:19-31
Master and his servant Don’t be prideful in obeying God, be humble 17:7-10
Persistent widow Always pray and do not give up 18:2-8
Pharisee and tax collector Who exalts himself will be humbled 18:9-14
