A central feature of Jesus Christ's teaching was the use of extended similies and short stories about the kingdom of God, based on human experience. Christ used them frequently to call for a response to his message.
Parables are a central feature of Jesus Christ's teaching
Matthew 13:34–35 See also Psalm 78:2; Mark 4:33–34
Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables. He did not tell them anything without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.”
Different characteristics of Jesus Christ's parables
They vary in complexity and length
Matthew 7:6, Matthew 13:18–23 parallels Mark 4:13–20, Luke 8:11–15; Matthew 13:37–45, Matthew 13:52
They vary in their use of metaphors, word pictures, objects and actions
Matthew 5:13–16, Matthew 13:44, Matthew 18:2–3, Matthew 21:18–22 parallels Mark 11:12–14, Mark 11:20–24; Luke 15:8–10
They have different levels of meaning
Often the full impact of a parable may be lost if the Jewish context is not understood: Luke 10:30–37, Luke 15:11–32
They draw on human experience
Matthew 13:33 parallel Luke 13:20–21; Matthew 18:12–14 parallel Luke 15:4–7; Luke 7:41–43
The themes of Jesus Christ's parables
The kingdom of God
Mark 4:30 parallel Luke 13:18 See also Matthew 13:31–32 parallels Mark 4:31–32, Luke 13:19–21; Matthew 13:44–45; Mark 4:26–29
Then He asked, “To what can we compare the kingdom of God? With what parable shall we present it?
Relationship with God
Luke 15:20 See also Matthew 7:9–11 parallel Luke 11:11–13; Matthew 18:12–14 parallel Luke 15:4–7; Luke 18:7–8
So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.
Right behaviour
Luke 10:37 See also Matthew 7:24–27 parallel Luke 6:47–49; Luke 13:6–9, Luke 15:27
“The one who showed him mercy,” replied the expert in the law. Then Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
The time of the end
Matthew 25:34 See also Matthew 25:1, Matthew 25:14–19 parallel Luke 19:11–15; Mark 13:35; Luke 12:35–36, Luke 12:40 parallel Matthew 24:44; Luke 16:22–23
Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Jesus Christ speaks about himself
Matthew 21:37 parallels Mark 12:6, Luke 20:13 See also Matthew 22:2, Matthew 25:10JHN Matthew 6:35, John 8:12, John 10:14, John 15:1
Finally, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said.
Understanding Jesus Christ's parables
Further explanation is sometimes needed
Matthew 13:36 See also Matthew 13:18 parallels Mark 4:13, Luke 8:11; Matthew 15:15 parallel Mark 7:17
Then Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples came to Him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”
The meaning is sometimes hidden
Luke 8:9–10 parallels Matthew 13:11–16, Mark 4:11–12 The meaning of Jesus Christ's parables was concealed only from those whose hearts and minds were closed. See also Isaiah 6:9–10
Then His disciples asked Him what this parable meant. He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’
Responses to Jesus Christ's parables
The parables demand action
Matthew 5:14–16 See also Matthew 4:24, Matthew 7:5–6, Matthew 13:43, Matthew 13:45–46, Matthew 25:13, Matthew 25:40, Matthew 25:45; Luke 12:21, Luke 12:32–33
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Positive responses
Matthew 13:16 See also Matthew 7:28–29, Matthew 13:51
But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.
Rejection of Jesus Christ and his parables
Luke 20:19 parallels Matthew 21:45–46, Mark 12:12 See also Luke 16:14
When the scribes and chief priests realized that Jesus had spoken this parable against them, they sought to arrest Him that very hour. But they were afraid of the people.
Examples of Jesus Christ's parables
Matthew 13:1–23 parallels Mark 4:1–20, Luke 8:4–15 parable of the sower; Matthew 13:47–52 parable of the net; Matthew 18:12–14 parallel Luke 15:4–7 parable of the lost sheep; Luke 10:25–37 parable of the good Samaritan; Luke 15:11–32 parable of the lost son; Luke 18:9–14 parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.