Biblical Parables

A Biblical Parable is a symbolic story that teaches gospel truths by comparing them to earthly things. There are about 40 parables in the New Testament and several in the Old Testament, depending on how one counts them.

Many of the parables are about open-mindedness and how that leads one to truth and God. Most of New Testament parables have a surprise twist that a closed-minded mindset initially has trouble accepting, despite the indisputable logic of the parable.

For those who appreciate mathematics, most of the parables illustrate a mathematical insight that was not recognized until more than 1600 years later.

Parables in the Old Testament

• The ewe-lamb - 2 Samuel 12:1-9
• The woman of Tekoah - 2 Samuel 14:1-13.

Parables in the New Testament

• The parable of the sower - Matthew 13:3-9, 18–23; Mark 4:3-9, 14–20; Luke 8:5-8, 11-15
• The parable of the wheat and the tares - Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
• The parable of the grain of mustard seed - Matthew 13:31-32; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19
• The parable of the leaven - Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:20-21
• The parable of the treasure hid in the field - Matthew 13:44
• The parable of the pearl of great price - Matthew 13:45-46
• The parable of the net cast into the sea - Matthew 13:47-50
• The parable of the householder - Matthew 13:51-52
• The parable of the lost sheep - Matthew 18:12-14; Luke 15:1-7
• The parable of the unmerciful servant - Matthew 18:23-35
• The parable of the fig tree - Luke 13:6-9
• Parable of the budding fig tree - Matthew 24:32-35 , Mark 13:28-31 , and Luke 21:29-33
• The parable of the vineyard workers - Matthew 20:1-16
• The parable of the two sons - Matthew 21:28-32
• The parable of the wicked husbandmen - Matthew 21:33-46; Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-20
• The parable of the wedding of the king's son - Matthew 22:1-14
• The parable of the ten virgins - Matthew 25:1-13
• The parable of the talents - Matthew 25:14-30
• The parable of the sheep and the goats - Matthew 25:31-46
• The parable of the candle under a bushel - Mark 4:21-25; Luke 8:16-18
• The parable of the seed growing secretly - Mark 4:26-29
• Parable of the Good Samaritan - Luke 10:25-37
• The parable of the lost coins - Luke 15:8-10
• The parable of the prodigal son - Luke 15:11-32
• The parable of the dishonest manager - Luke 16:1-8
• The parable of Lazarus and the rich man - Luke 16:19-31
• The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican - Luke 18:9-14
• The parable of the pounds - Luke 19:11-27
• The parable of the good shepherd - John 10:1-21
• The parable of the lamp under a basket - Matthew 5:14-16; Mark 4:21,22; Luke 8:16,17 and 11:33-36
• The parable of the wise man who builds on rock - Matthew 7:24-27 ; Luke 6:47-49
• The parable of the rich fool - Luke 12:16-21

See also

• Conservative parables
• Parables about openmindedness
• The Parables of Jesus Christ