The Parables of Jesus: A Complete List

Parables of Jesus

The parables of Jesus are short stories and comparisons found primarily in the synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. These teaching narratives comprise approximately one-third of Jesus's recorded teachings in the New Testament. Furthermore, the list below provides comprehensive Scripture references for each parable, organized by Gospel.

Click a Bible version below to listen to the complete audio playlist of Jesus' Parables:

Parables of Jesus

Matthew:

  1. Parable of the Lamp (Matthew 5:14-16) - Also in Mark 4:21-22 and Luke 8:16
  2. Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders (Matthew 7:24-27) - Also in Luke 6:47-49
  3. Parable of New Cloth and New Wineskins (Matthew 9:16-17) - Also in Mark 2:21-22 and Luke 5:36-38
  4. Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9) - Also in Mark 4:3-9 and Luke 8:5-8
  5. Parable of the Weeds (Matthew 13:24-30)
  6. Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32) - Also in Mark 4:30-32 and Luke 13:18-19
  7. Parable of the Yeast (Matthew 13:33) - Also in Luke 13:20-21
  8. Parable of the Hidden Treasure (Matthew 13:44)
  9. Parable of the Pearl (Matthew 13:45-46)
  10. Parable of the Net (Matthew 13:47-50)
  11. Parable of the Homeowner (Matthew 13:52)
  12. Parable of the Wandering Sheep (Matthew 18:12-14)
  13. Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:23-35)
  14. Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16)
  15. Parable of the Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-32)
  16. Parable of the Tenants (Matthew 21:33-46) - Also in Mark 12:1-12 and Luke 20:9-19
  17. Parable of the Wedding Banquet (Matthew 22:1-14) - Similar to Luke 14:15-24
  18. Parable of the Fig Tree (Matthew 24:32-35) - Also in Mark 13:28-29 and Luke 21:29-31
  19. Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)
  20. Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) - Similar to Luke 19:11-27
  21. Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31-46)

Mark:

  1. Parable of New Cloth and New Wineskins (Mark 2:21-22) - Also in Matthew 9:16-17 and Luke 5:36-38
  2. Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:3-9) - Also in Matthew 13:3-9 and Luke 8:5-8
  3. Parable of the Lamp (Mark 4:21-25) - Also in Matthew 5:14-16 and Luke 8:16
  4. Parable of the Growing Seed (Mark 4:26-29)
  5. Parable of the Mustard Seed (Mark 4:30-32) - Also in Matthew 13:31-32 and Luke 13:18-19
  6. Parable of the Tenants (Mark 12:1-12) - Also in Matthew 21:33-46 and Luke 20:9-19
  7. Parable of the Fig Tree (Mark 13:28-29) - Also in Matthew 24:32-35 and Luke 21:29-31
  8. Parable of the Returning Owner (Mark 13:34-37)

Luke:

  1. Parable of New Cloth and New Wineskins (Luke 5:36-38) - Also in Matthew 9:16-17 and Mark 2:21-22
  2. Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders (Luke 6:47-49) - Also in Matthew 7:24-27
  3. Parable of the Moneylender (Luke 7:41-43)
  4. Parable of the Sower (Luke 8:5-8) - Also in Matthew 13:3-9 and Mark 4:3-9
  5. Parable of the Lamp (Luke 8:16) - Also in Matthew 5:14-16 and Mark 4:21-22
  6. Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37)
  7. Parable of the Friend in Need (Luke 11:5-8)
  8. Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21)
  9. Parable of the Watchful Servants (Luke 12:35-40)
  10. Parable of the Wise and Foolish Servants (Luke 12:42-48)
  11. Parable of the Barren Fig Tree (Luke 13:6-9)
  12. Parable of the Mustard Seed (Luke 13:18-19) - Also in Matthew 13:31-32 and Mark 4:30-32
  13. Parable of the Yeast (Luke 13:20-21) - Also in Matthew 13:33
  14. Parable of the Narrow Door (Luke 13:23-30)
  15. Parable of the Place of Honor (Luke 14:7-11)
  16. Parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14:15-24) - Similar to Matthew 22:1-14
  17. Parables about Counting the Cost (Luke 14:28-33)
  18. Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:3-7) - Similar to Matthew 18:12-14
  19. Parable of the Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10)
  20. Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)
  21. Parable of the Dishonest Manager (Luke 16:1-13)
  22. Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)
  23. Parable of the Master and the Servant (Luke 17:7-10)
  24. Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8)
  25. Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14)
  26. Parable of the Ten Minas (Luke 19:11-27) - Similar to Matthew 25:14-30
  27. Parable of the Tenants (Luke 20:9-19) - Also in Matthew 21:33-46 and Mark 12:1-12
  28. Parable of the Fig Tree (Luke 21:29-31) - Also in Matthew 24:32-35 and Mark 13:28-29

John:

There are no parables in the Gospel of John. Instead, Jesus uses metaphors, allegories, and discourses in this Gospel. However, these teaching methods are not parables in the same sense as those found in the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke).

Conclusion

The parables of Jesus represent a significant portion of his recorded teachings in the New Testament. These narrative teaching tools address themes of faith, ethics, the kingdom of God, and human behavior. Moreover, the complete list above includes approximately 46-48 distinct parables, depending on scholarly classification. Additionally, several of these parables appear in multiple Gospels, demonstrating their importance in Jesus's teaching ministry.

Parables Themes Mindmap

mindmap root((Jesus' Parables<br/>Major Themes)) Kingdom of God Mustard Seed Yeast Hidden Treasure Pearl of Great Price Growing Seed Repentance & Salvation Lost Sheep Lost Coin Prodigal Son Pharisee & Tax Collector God's Mercy & Grace Unmerciful Servant Workers in Vineyard Two Debtors Good Samaritan Judgment & Accountability Weeds & Wheat Net Sheep & Goats Rich Man & Lazarus Tenants Stewardship & Faithfulness Talents Minas Wise Steward Rich Fool Prayer Persistent Widow Friend at Midnight Preparedness & Watchfulness Ten Virgins Watchful Servants Fig Tree Returning Owner Love & Compassion Good Samaritan Prodigal Son Humility vs Pride Place of Honor Pharisee & Tax Collector Obedience Two Sons Wise & Foolish Builders

Parables Themes Flowchart

flowchart TB A[**The Parables of Jesus**<br/>Core Teachings & Themes] A --> B[Kingdom of God] A --> C[Salvation & Response] A --> D[God's Character] A --> E[End Times & Judgment] A --> F[Christian Living] B --> B1[Mustard Seed<br/>Matthew 13:31-32] B --> B2[Yeast<br/>Matthew 13:33] B --> B3[Hidden Treasure<br/>Matthew 13:44] B --> B4[Pearl<br/>Matthew 13:45-46] B --> B5[Growing Seed<br/>Mark 4:26-29] C --> C1[Repentance] C --> C2[Faith & Belief] C1 --> C1a[Lost Sheep<br/>Luke 15:3-7] C1 --> C1b[Lost Coin<br/>Luke 15:8-10] C1 --> C1c[Prodigal Son<br/>Luke 15:11-32] C2 --> C2a[Sower<br/>Matthew 13:3-9] C2 --> C2b[Two Builders<br/>Matthew 7:24-27] D --> D1[Mercy & Grace] D --> D2[Love & Compassion] D1 --> D1a[Unmerciful Servant<br/>Matthew 18:23-35] D1 --> D1b[Workers in Vineyard<br/>Matthew 20:1-16] D2 --> D2a[Good Samaritan<br/>Luke 10:30-37] E --> E1[Preparedness] E --> E2[Accountability] E1 --> E1a[Ten Virgins<br/>Matthew 25:1-13] E1 --> E1b[Watchful Servants<br/>Luke 12:35-40] E2 --> E2a[Talents<br/>Matthew 25:14-30] E2 --> E2b[Sheep & Goats<br/>Matthew 25:31-46] F --> F1[Stewardship] F --> F2[Prayer] F --> F3[Humility] F1 --> F1a[Faithful Steward<br/>Luke 12:42-48] F2 --> F2a[Persistent Widow<br/>Luke 18:1-8] F2 --> F2b[Friend at Midnight<br/>Luke 11:5-8] F3 --> F3a[Pharisee & Tax Collector<br/>Luke 18:9-14] F3 --> F3b[Place of Honor<br/>Luke 14:7-11] style A fill:#e38b06,stroke:#333,stroke-width:3px,color:#fff style B fill:#4a90e2,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px,color:#fff style C fill:#7b68ee,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px,color:#fff style D fill:#50c878,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px,color:#fff style E fill:#ff6b6b,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px,color:#fff style F fill:#ffa500,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px,color:#fff

Parables Themes Interconnected

graph TB subgraph Core["**Central Message: The Kingdom of God**"] Kingdom["KINGDOM OF GOD<br/><em>The heart of Jesus' teaching</em>"] end subgraph Invitation["**God's Invitation to Humanity**"] Repent["Repentance & Salvation<br/>📖 Prodigal Son, Lost Sheep"] Mercy["God's Mercy & Grace<br/>📖 Unmerciful Servant, Good Samaritan"] Love["Love & Compassion<br/>📖 Good Samaritan"] end subgraph Response["**Human Response Required**"] Faith["Faith & Obedience<br/>📖 Two Sons, Wise Builders"] Prayer["Prayer & Persistence<br/>📖 Persistent Widow, Friend at Midnight"] Humility["Humility vs Pride<br/>📖 Pharisee & Tax Collector"] end subgraph Living["**Living as Kingdom Citizens**"] Steward["Stewardship & Faithfulness<br/>📖 Talents, Minas, Faithful Steward"] Growth["Spiritual Growth<br/>📖 Sower, Growing Seed"] Service["Service & Discipleship<br/>📖 Good Samaritan"] end subgraph Future["**Kingdom Consummation**"] Prepare["Preparedness & Watchfulness<br/>📖 Ten Virgins, Fig Tree"] Judge["Judgment & Accountability<br/>📖 Sheep & Goats, Weeds & Wheat"] end Kingdom --> Invitation Kingdom --> Response Kingdom --> Living Kingdom --> Future Repent --> Faith Mercy --> Love Love --> Service Faith --> Growth Prayer --> Humility Humility --> Service Growth --> Steward Service --> Steward Steward --> Prepare Prepare --> Judge Judge -.-> Repent style Kingdom fill:#FFD700,stroke:#333,stroke-width:4px,color:#000 style Repent fill:#87CEEB,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px style Mercy fill:#87CEEB,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px style Love fill:#87CEEB,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px style Faith fill:#98FB98,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px style Prayer fill:#98FB98,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px style Humility fill:#98FB98,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px style Steward fill:#DDA0DD,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px style Growth fill:#DDA0DD,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px style Service fill:#DDA0DD,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px style Prepare fill:#FFB6C1,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px style Judge fill:#FFB6C1,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px

Resources

You might find the following resources helpful:

  1. Free Audio Bibles: https://peplamb.com/free-audio-bibles/
  2. Bible App: https://bible.peplamb.com
  3. Click the following Bible versions to hear the audio playlist of above verses:

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