A parable is a simple story that has a deeper meaning to it. The Parables of Jesus were told to teach about the Kingdom of God. This Kingdom exists now as well as in the forever.
This page summarizes how the "Kingdom of God" would be reflected in your values and actions. It is not a review of the stories themselves. The links provided take you to the stories in the scriptures.
The parables are in Matthew, Mark and Luke, some only in one book and others in all three of them. Only one scripture reference is used in this synopsis. To see the other scriptures, click on New Testament Parables - Listing of Scriptures.
No | Verses | Name | In the Kingdom of God….. |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | The Lost Sheep | Humans are like sheep in need of a shepherd. No human wisdom or intellect will overcome this. God made you this way. He wants you following and in relationship with him. | |
2 | The Prodigal Son | God lets you make mistakes, grow and mature without holding it against you - as you acknowledge him. In time, you come to know his ways will always be better than yours. | |
3 | The Mustard Seed | Faith in God starts with a desire to know and trust him. No matter how small your awareness or ability, with time true faith in God blossoms, stands tall and even shelters others. | |
4 | Laborers or Workers in Vineyard | From the moment you ask God to live in you, you receive all the blessings he has to offer. There is no seniority or waiting in line when you ask to enter the Kingdom. | |
5 | Persistent Widow/Unjust Judge | Things are set right as you persist in seeking as this widow did. God steps in as you call on him. Even God is subject to your persistence. | |
6 | The Growing Seed | Believers are given seed to scatter to help others know God. God tells you where the seed is needed but you don’t do everything. You scatter; he brings the seed to harvest. | |
7 | The Two Debtors | The Kingdom of God is populated by those who know they would be nowhere without God’s love and joy. Theirs is a beautiful debt of love they reciprocate to others. | |
8 | The Good Samaratin | Enmity between ethnic, religious, social and political groups runs deep within humanity. In the Kingdom, all are loved and respected and on earth it is expected believers do likewise. | |
9 | The Friend at Night | Persistence means you know it is only a matter of time before something is accomplished. When you persist in seeking God, you show you have faith that he will answer. | |
10 | The Rich Fool | There is nothing wrong with earthly riches, except as depending more upon them than God. True riches come from relationship with the Father. | |
11 | The Wise & Foolish Builders | The teachings of Jesus form a firm foundation for those who follow him. Wisdom is knowing your strength comes from the Father, listening and being in relationship with him. | |
12 | New Wineskins/ Clothes | Coming to Christ, your heart and mind are renewed and changes who you are. What you enjoyed or what worked in the past won’t work with your new heart and mind. | |
13 | The Strong Man | An enemy is only as strong as his stronger or smarter opponent and no one is smarter and stronger than God. He stands beside you, working with you as challenges appear. | |
14 | The Sower | This is a parable about listening to God. Your listening varies by what is important to you. As you are motivated to want to hear God, your “soil” is enriched and you will hear God. | |
15 | The Tares and Harvest/Weeds | The enemy loves to disrupt God’s purposes for you. With your focus on Him, God will see to it the enemy’s intentions are destroyed and you reap his promises. | |
16 | The Barren Fig Tree | Believers are asked to bear evidence of God. Jesus shows you how to do this but you must cooperate. If you don’t, he will respect your decision and leave you alone to your limitations. | |
17 | The Leaven | As with the mustard seed, your faith and understanding might start small but with application, God’s ways spread through your heart and mind like yeast does in bread. | |
18 | The Pearl | Pearls were of great value in Jesus’ time. Attaining one was worth any investment you could muster. In the same way, give all you have to learning and knowing the ways of God. | |
19 | Drawing of the Net | In this fishing setting, the parable shows how the enemy loves to undo your good work. The Lord knows all the damage the enemy does and in time he will clear the enemy out. | |
20 | The Hidden Treasure | The treasures of God are all around you if you look. You do this as you walk in relationship and ask. The search is a daily one and worth your every effort. | |
21 | Counting the Cost | Salvation is free but freedom in Christ requires dedication and a deep desire to have it. No one is promised an easy way but are promised his love, guidance and divine riches. | |
22 | The Unforgiving Servant | God forgives your shortcomings when you ask. At the same time, he wants you to be as merciful to others as he has been to you. When you are in this position, ask him how to do it. | |
23 | The Lost Coin | When you are missing money, you look for it with intense focus and celebrate when you find it. Similarly, if you get lost, God welcomes you back in great celebration. | |
24 | Rich Man & Lazarus | It is the responsibility of each person, rich or poor, to listen to and take God seriously. You can plant a seed but you cannot do this work for others. They must do it themselves. | |
25 | Master & Servant | Earthly servant relationships are evil and illegal. But in the Kingdom of God, you want to serve the one who gives so much to you. Let him develop your heart so you can. | |
26 | The Pharisee & Publican | Every person has more than enough sin and shortcomings to bring to the Father for forgiveness. Bringing undue attention to the sins of others is to avoid the work you need to do. | |
27 | The Two Sons | What you say you will do is of no value unless your actions support it. Honesty and respect for others is at the basis of how you treat others. | |
28 | Vineyard Owner/ Wicked Husbandman | God takes Kingdom gifts away from those who aren’t interested and gives it to those who are. Anyone already having these gifts just get more of them. Those without interest will have less than they already do. | |
29 | The Fig Tree | Many things of this earth make it a place of decay. The coming of Christ into your life is as plants and trees budding in Spring, a time of renewal and new life. | |
30 | The Faithful or Watchful Servant | Living and working in your appointed work and purpose each day shows respect for God and the love and sacrifice of Jesus. | |
31 | The 10 Virgins | Finding earthly matters more irresistible than eternal ones will cause you to miss the peace and opportunities of relationship with God. | |
32 | The Ten Minas/The Talents | God gives you purpose and abilities. If you don’t use what he gives you, he takes them away and gives to those who have already shown their willingness to develop God’s gifts. | |
33 | The Wedding Feast | Earthly honors and social prominence are tempting, but Jesus says to wait in deference and humility for God to show you where you belong, whether you receive earthly honor or not. | |
34 | The Shrewd/Unjust Servant | Using clever ways to wiggle out of dishonor may be intellectually admirable in some ways, but only honesty before God and man is real honor. | |
35 | The Sheep and the Goats | As you help another, you serve Jesus personally. You spread the love of God any time you help - among others - the poor, homeless, lonely, imprisoned, physically sick or mentally ill. | |
36 | The Great Banquet | Throughout their history, the Jews resisted God’s offers and promises, so God extended his invitation to be his chosen to the rest of mankind. Now all are invited to join God’s family. | |
37 | The Lamp Under the Bushel/Bowl | When you enter the family of God, it is expected you take part in the family business of being a light of hope to others. God helps you do this in your own uniqueness. |
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