Parables of the Bible

Stories & Illustrations By Jesus

Get the Parables Bible Study

Jesus was a storyteller.

The stories and illustrations He told were called parables and there is something unique about them that made them stand out.

Throughout the more than 40 parables that Jesus taught throughout the Bible, He used parables to influence and challenge the thinking of the original audience and to help people consider a different perspective about Himself and the kingdom of God.

Parables can do the same for us today as they did for the original audience. They can give us a fresh perspective on Jesus’ ministry and understanding that God offers His kingdom to EVERYONE. They show us that by choosing Christ, we are putting Jesus first instead of status, money or success.

Check out this list of parables spoken by Jesus in the Bible.

List of Parables of the Bible

PARABLES
MATTHEW
MARK
LUKE
Salt of the Earth
Matthew 5:13
Mark 9:50
Lamp Under a Bowl
Matthew 5:14-16
Mark 4:21-22
Luke 8:16, 11:33
Wise and Foolish Builders
Matthew 7:24-27
Luke 6:47-49
New Cloth on an Old Coat
Matthew 9:16
Mark 2:21
Luke 5:36
New Wine in Old Wineskins
Matthew 9:17
Mark 2:22
Luke 5:37-39
The Two Debtors
Luke 7:40-43
The Sower
Matthew 13:1-23
Mark 4:1-20
Luke 8:4-15
The Good Samaritan
Luke 10:25-37
The Friend at Midnight
Luke 11:5-13
Growing Seed
Mark 4:26-29
The Rich Fool
Luke 12:13-21
The Watchful Servants
Mark 13:35-37
Luke 12:35-40
Unfruitful Fig Tree
Luke 13:6-9
The Weeds
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-4
The Seed
Matthew 13:31-32
Mark 4:26-30
Luke 13:18-19
Yeast
Matthew 13:33
Luke 13:20-21
The Concealed Treasure
Matthew 13:44
The Pearl
Matthew 13:45-46
The Casting of the Net into the Sea
Matthew 13:47-50
Owner of a House
Matthew 13:52
The Lost Sheep
Matthew 18:12-14
Luke 15:3-7
The Unforgiving Servant
Matthew 18:23-35
The Vineyard Workers
Matthew 20:1-16
Lowest Seat at the Feast
Luke 14:7-14
The Great Feast
Luke 14:16-24
Cost of Discipleship
Luke 14:28-33
The Lost Coin
Luke 15:8-10
The Prodigal Son
Luke 15:11-32
The Shrewd Manager
Luke 16:1-13
The Rich Man and Lazarus
Luke 16:19-31
Master and His Servant
Luke 17:7-10
Persistent Widow
Luke 18:1-8
The Two Sons
Matthew 21:28-32
The Vineyard Owner
Matthew 21:33-44
Mark 12:1-11
Luke 20:9-18
The Marriage Feast
Matthew 22:1-14
Fig Tree
Matthew 24:32-35
Mark 13:28-31
Luke 21:29-33
Faithful and Wise Servant
Matthew 24:45-51
Luke 12:42-48
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
Luke 18:9-14
Ten Virgins
Matthew 25:1-13
The Talent
Matthew 25:14-30
Luke 19:11-27
The Sheep and the Goats
Matthew 25:31-46

Check out The Parables Bible Study to learn how to specifically study Parables, or the CHARA Bible Study Guide to learn how to study the Bible overall.

How to Study the Bible

Access the CHARA Bible Study Guide

The Parables Bible Study

13-Week Bible Study on the Illustrations & Stories of Jesus

The Parables Reading Plan

13-Day Devotional and Reading Plan on Illustrations & Stories from Jesus

The Chara Project Podcast

A Podcast to Equip You To Understand and Study the Bible