PARABLES OF JESUSPARABLES OF JESUS

PARABLE DEFINITION:PARABLE DEFINITION:

PARABLE:PARABLE: A simple story illustrating a A simple story illustrating a moral or religious lesson. moral or religious lesson.

IS NOT A:IS NOT A: FABLE/MYTH/PROVERB/ALLEGORYFABLE/MYTH/PROVERB/ALLEGORY

PARABLES VS…PARABLES VS…

Fable Vs Parable:Fable Vs Parable: Fables are knowingly untrue, unrealistic Fables are knowingly untrue, unrealistic fantasy stories that illustrate previously discovered human fantasy stories that illustrate previously discovered human wisdom. Parables are true or realistic stories that illustrate wisdom. Parables are true or realistic stories that illustrate a deep spiritual truth not previously understood by man.a deep spiritual truth not previously understood by man.

Myth Vs Parable:Myth Vs Parable: Myths are fantasy/untrue stories that are Myths are fantasy/untrue stories that are accepted as reality/truth themselves. Parables clearly accepted as reality/truth themselves. Parables clearly divide between the story part and the spiritual lesson divide between the story part and the spiritual lesson being taught.being taught.

Proverb Vs Parable:Proverb Vs Parable: A short saying to be taken literally A short saying to be taken literally itself to teach some obvious human wisdom. Parables are itself to teach some obvious human wisdom. Parables are longer, more illustrative and teach a hidden truth.longer, more illustrative and teach a hidden truth.

Allegory Vs Parable:Allegory Vs Parable: An allegory transfers the properties of An allegory transfers the properties of one thing to another. Parables compare two separate one thing to another. Parables compare two separate things to one another.things to one another.

PURPOSE OF PURPOSE OF PARABLES?PARABLES?

To sort the audience into righteous and wicked:To sort the audience into righteous and wicked: Mt 13:10-17; Mk 4:10-12; Lk 8:9-10Mt 13:10-17; Mk 4:10-12; Lk 8:9-10

To reveal truth to the righteous and conceal it from the To reveal truth to the righteous and conceal it from the wicked:wicked: Mt 13:11Mt 13:11

To teach new truth to the righteous:To teach new truth to the righteous: Mt 13:17; 1 Pe 1:12Mt 13:17; 1 Pe 1:12

To fulfill prophecy:To fulfill prophecy: Mt 13:34-35; Mk 4:33-34 (Isa 6:9-10; Ps 78:2)Mt 13:34-35; Mk 4:33-34 (Isa 6:9-10; Ps 78:2)

WHY SPEAK IN PARABLES?WHY SPEAK IN PARABLES?

MATTHEW 13:10MATTHEW 13:10

And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”

He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in have, even what he has will be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:understand. And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:

‘‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand,Hearing you will hear and shall not understand,And seeing you will see and not perceive;And seeing you will see and not perceive;For the hearts of this people have grown dull.For the hearts of this people have grown dull.Their ears are hard of hearing,Their ears are hard of hearing,And their eyes they have closed,And their eyes they have closed,Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,So that I should heal them.’So that I should heal them.’

But blessed But blessed areare your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous say to you that many prophets and righteous menmen desired to see what you see, and desired to see what you see, and did not see did not see it,it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.it.

GOOD SAMARITANGOOD SAMARITAN

LUKE 10:25-29LUKE 10:25-29

And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”“Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?of it?””

So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’”all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’”

And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”will live.”

But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”neighbor?”

GOOD SAMARITAN GOOD SAMARITAN PARABLEPARABLE

LUKE 10:30-37LUKE 10:30-37

Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain manman went down went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded stripped him of his clothing, wounded him,him, and departed, and departed, leaving leaving himhim half dead. Now by chance a certain priest half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. side.

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to went to himhim and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. inn, and took care of him.

On the next day, when he departed, he took out two On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave denarii, gave themthem to the innkeeper, and said to him, to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ So which of these three do come again, I will repay you.’ So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”thieves?”

And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

THE SOWERTHE SOWERMATTHEW 13:3-9MATTHEW 13:3-9

On the same day Jesus went out of the house and On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. And great multitudes were sat by the sea. And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.the shore.

Then He spoke many things to them in parables, Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow.

1.1. And as he sowed, some And as he sowed, some seedseed fell by the fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.

2.2. Some fell on stony places, where they did not Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. had no root they withered away.

3.3. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. sprang up and choked them.

4.4. But others fell on good ground and yielded a But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. thirty.

He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

EXPLANATION OF SOWER EXPLANATION OF SOWER PARABLEPARABLE

MATTHEW 13:18-23MATTHEW 13:18-23

1. “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 1. “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand and does not understand it,it, then the wicked then the wicked oneone comes and snatches away what was sown comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. the wayside.

2. But he who received the seed on stony 2. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. stumbles.

3. Now he who received seed among the 3. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. unfruitful.

4. But he who received seed on the good 4. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and ground is he who hears the word and understands understands it,it, who indeed bears fruit and who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”some thirty.”

UNJUST JUDGEUNJUST JUDGE

LUKE 18:1-8LUKE 18:1-8

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: lose heart, saying:

““There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’”continual coming she weary me.’”

Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”earth?”

VINE & BRANCHES VINE & BRANCHES PARABLEPARABLE

JOHN 15:1-17JOHN 15:1-17““I am the true vine, and My Father is the I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every bear fruit He takes away; and every branchbranch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. more fruit.

You are already clean because of the word You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.unless you abide in Me.

““I am the vine, you I am the vine, you areare the branches. He who the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw is withered; and they gather them and throw themthem into the fire, and they are burned. If you into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

PARABLE OF LOST COINPARABLE OF LOST COINLUKE 13:8-10LUKE 13:8-10

““Or what woman, having ten Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds carefully until she finds it? it?

And when she has found And when she has found it,it, she calls she calls herher friends and friends and neighbors together, saying, neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’ found the piece which I lost!’ Likewise, I say to you, Likewise, I say to you, there is there is joy in the presence of the joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner angels of God over one sinner who repents.”who repents.”

RICH FOOL PARABLERICH FOOL PARABLE

LUKE 12:16-21LUKE 12:16-21

Then one from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide Then one from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”the inheritance with me.”

But He said to him, “Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over But He said to him, “Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for you?” And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’

So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, drink, andand be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’provided?’

““So So isis he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

PARABLE OF LOST PARABLE OF LOST SHEEPSHEEP

LUKE 15:1-7LUKE 15:1-7

Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” So He spoke this sinners and eats with them.” So He spoke this parable to them, saying:parable to them, saying:

““What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found lost until he finds it? And when he has found it,it, he he lays lays itit on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together comes home, he calls together hishis friends and friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘neighbors, saying to them, ‘

Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.repentance.

PRODIGAL SON PRODIGAL SON PARABLEPARABLE

LUKE 15:11-24LUKE 15:11-24

Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. And the younger of Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to them said to hishis father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls falls to me.to me.’ So he divided to them ’ So he divided to them hishis livelihood. And not many livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.anything.

““But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’hired servants.”’

““And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put itit on him, and put a ring on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on on his hand and sandals on hishis feet. And bring the fatted calf here feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill and kill it,it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry. merry.

PRODIGAL SON PRODIGAL SON PARABLEPARABLE

LUKE 13:25-32LUKE 13:25-32

““Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’ safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’

““But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. So he answered and said to out and pleaded with him. So he answered and said to hishis father, father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’

“ “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’”and is found.’”