A parable is a short story drawn from everyday life that teaches a spiritual truth. Jesus told around 40 parables, found in Matthew, Mark and Luke. The best known include the sower (Matthew 13), the mustard seed and the leaven, the good Samaritan (Luke 10), the lost sheep, the lost coin and the prodigal son (Luke 15), the talents and the ten virgins (Matthew 25). Mark says that "without a parable spake he not unto them" when He taught the crowds (Mark 4:34).
Jesus was the greatest storyteller who ever lived. He talked about seeds and soil, bread dough, lost coins, sheep, weddings, farmers and runaway sons. His listeners were farmers, fishermen and homemakers, and He used pictures from their world to explain the kingdom of heaven. The word parable comes from a Greek word meaning to place beside: a familiar picture is placed beside a spiritual truth so we can see it. Parables are memorable, and they often have a twist at the end that catches the listener off guard. A respected religious man goes home unforgiven while a tax collector goes home justified. A despised Samaritan turns out to be the true neighbor. Some parables are simple to understand. Others are meant to make us think, and Jesus said they revealed truth to open hearts while hiding it from those who did not want to hear. Scholars count the parables differently, from about 30 to over 40, depending on which short sayings are included. The twelve King James verses below explain why Jesus taught in parables, walk through several kingdom parables and highlight stories about prayer, humility and watchfulness. For more on His teaching about the kingdom, see Bible verses about the kingdom of God.
Why Jesus taught in parables
1. Matthew 13:10
"And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?"
After Jesus told the parable of the sower to a huge crowd by the sea, the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? It is a fair question. Stories can be harder to pin down than plain statements. But that was part of the point. Parables invite listeners to lean in, ask questions and come closer to the teacher, as the disciples did. Asking Jesus what He means is always the right response.
2. Matthew 13:11
"He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given."
Jesus answered that it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. A mystery in the Bible is a truth that can only be known when God reveals it. Parables work like a door. For those who come to Jesus wanting to learn, the story opens up. For those who have already decided against Him, it remains a puzzling tale. The same story softens one heart and exposes another.
3. Mark 4:33-34
"And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples."
With many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. Jesus was a patient teacher. He gave people what they could take in, and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples. That is a great picture of Bible study: hearing the story with others, then spending time alone with Jesus asking Him to explain. He still teaches those who stay and ask.
4. Matthew 13:35
"That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world."
Matthew says Jesus' parables fulfilled Psalm 78:2: I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. God's plan to save people from every nation had been hinted at for centuries. In Jesus' stories, those secrets were brought into the open. The parables are not just moral lessons. They reveal God's kingdom arriving in Jesus.
Parables of the kingdom: the sower, the leaven and the fig tree
5. Luke 8:11
"Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God."
Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. In the parable of the sower, a farmer scatters seed on four kinds of ground: the hard path, stony ground, thorny ground and good soil. Jesus explains it Himself, which is rare. The seed is always good. The difference is the soil, the condition of the heart that hears. It is a parable about listening, and it asks every reader what kind of ground they are.
6. Matthew 13:23
"But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."
The good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Not everyone bears the same amount of fruit, but every good-soil heart bears some. Hearing and understanding lead to a changed life. If you want to be good ground, keep receiving God's Word, pull out the thorns of worry and keep coming back to Jesus for more.
7. Matthew 13:33
"Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened."
The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. Three measures of meal was a large batch of dough, enough to feed many people. A little yeast works quietly until it changes everything. Paired with the parable of the mustard seed, it teaches that God's kingdom starts small and hidden, but it spreads until it transforms the whole.
8. Luke 13:6
"He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none."
A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. For three years the tree produced nothing, and the owner wanted it cut down. But the vinedresser asked for one more year to dig around it and fertilize it (Luke 13:8). This parable shows both God's patience and the seriousness of bearing fruit. Today is a gift of more time to turn to Him.
Parables about the lost, humility, prayer and watching
9. Luke 15:8
"Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?"
Luke 15 has three parables about lost things: a sheep, a coin and a son. Here a woman with ten silver coins loses one, and she lights a candle, sweeps the house and seek diligently till she find it. Then she calls her friends to celebrate. Jesus explains: there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth (Luke 15:10). God searches for lost people with the same care.
10. Luke 18:14
"I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."
In the parable of the Pharisee and the publican, a religious man prays proudly about how good he is, while a tax collector beats his chest and prays, God be merciful to me a sinner (Luke 18:13). Jesus says the tax collector went down to his house justified rather than the other. The lesson is clear: he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. God receives honest, humble hearts.
11. Luke 11:8
"I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth."
In the parable of the friend at midnight, a man knocks on his neighbor's door late at night asking for bread for an unexpected guest. The neighbor gets up because of his importunity, which means persistence or shameless boldness. Jesus' point is not that God is a grumpy neighbor. It is the opposite: if even a reluctant friend gives, how much more will our Father. He goes on: Ask, and it shall be given you (Luke 11:9).
12. Matthew 25:13
"Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."
The parable of the ten virgins tells of ten bridesmaids waiting for a bridegroom. Five brought extra oil for their lamps and five did not, and when he arrived late at night, only the prepared ones went in to the wedding. Jesus concludes, Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. It is a parable for Advent: live ready, with your lamp burning.
A short prayer
Lord Jesus, You taught in stories so that open hearts could understand. Make my heart good ground for Your Word. Thank You for searching for me like a lost coin and welcoming me like a lost son. Keep me humble like the tax collector, persistent in prayer like the friend at midnight and ready like the wise virgins with their lamps. Let Your kingdom grow in me like leaven until my whole life is changed. Amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
Study one parable a week in the SOAP Bible Study Journal · Review the parables with the free Bible crossword puzzles · Keep a parable verse in your Bible with the free printable bookmarks
Frequently asked questions
How many parables did Jesus tell?
Counts range from about 30 to more than 40, depending on whether short sayings like the lamp under a bushel or the new wine in old bottles are counted. All of them are in Matthew, Mark and Luke. John's Gospel records figures of speech, like the Good Shepherd, but none of the classic story parables. The word parable or parables appears dozens of times in the first three Gospels. Try the free Bible crossword puzzles to review them with kids.
What is the most famous parable of Jesus?
The prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) and the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) are probably the most famous. The prodigal son tells of a father who runs to welcome his runaway son home, a picture of God's mercy. The good Samaritan answers the question who is my neighbour? (Luke 10:29). Both phrases have entered everyday English. See Bible verses about forgiveness and Bible verses about mercy.
What are the parables in Matthew 13?
Matthew 13 gathers seven kingdom parables: the sower, the wheat and the tares, the mustard seed, the leaven, the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price and the net. Some count the householder (Matthew 13:52) as an eighth. Together they show how God's kingdom grows, why it is worth everything and how it will be completed at the end of the age. Read more in Bible verses about the kingdom of God.
How should I read a parable?
Look for the main point, which is usually tied to the surprise or twist, rather than trying to find a meaning in every detail. Notice who Jesus was talking to and what question He was answering; Luke 15 begins with leaders complaining that He ate with sinners (Luke 15:2). Then ask where you fit in the story. Writing down one observation and one application is a simple method. See Bible verses about wisdom.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Kingdom of God · Forgiveness · Mercy · Humility · Wisdom · Prayer · Patience · Being a disciple
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