Parables of the Bible
Stories & Illustrations by Jesus
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.
RELATED CONTENT
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