The parables of Jesus
Thirty-seven stories, sorted by what they are about instead of where they fall in the book. If you know the story but not the chapter, start here.
Lost and found
Someone is missing. Someone goes looking. Nobody earns their way back.
The Prodigal SonA son takes his inheritance early, spends it all, and comes home expecting to be a servant.Luke 15:11-32The Lost SheepA shepherd leaves ninety-nine sheep to go find the one that wandered off.Luke 15:3-7The Lost CoinA woman lights a lamp and sweeps the whole house until she finds one lost coin.Luke 15:8-10
Forgiveness and mercy
Debts cancelled, debts refused. What mercy costs and who refuses it.
The Unforgiving ServantA servant is forgiven an impossible debt, then jails a man who owes him a small one.Matthew 18:21-35The Two DebtorsTwo people owe money. Both are forgiven. Jesus asks which will love more.Luke 7:41-43The Pharisee and the Tax CollectorTwo men pray in the temple. One lists his virtues. One asks for mercy.Luke 18:9-14
The neighbor
Who counts as your neighbor, and what you owe the person in front of you.
What the kingdom is like
Seeds, yeast, treasure, nets. Small things that turn out to be enormous.
The SowerSeed falls on a path, on rock, among thorns, and on good soil. Only one yields.Mark 4:1-20The Mustard SeedThe smallest seed grows into a shrub large enough for birds to nest in.Mark 4:30-32The YeastA woman mixes yeast into a large batch of flour until it works all the way through.Luke 13:20-21The Hidden TreasureA man finds treasure buried in a field, and sells everything he has to buy that field.Matthew 13:44The Pearl of Great PriceA merchant finds one perfect pearl and sells his whole inventory to buy it.Matthew 13:45-46The DragnetA net catches every kind of fish. The sorting happens on the shore, at the end.Matthew 13:47-50The Growing SeedA farmer scatters seed, then sleeps and rises while it grows without him knowing how.Mark 4:26-29The Weeds Among the WheatAn enemy sows weeds in a wheat field. The owner says let both grow until harvest.Matthew 13:24-30
Prayer and persistence
Keep asking. The parables about not giving up, and about how to pray honestly.
Money and possessions
Barns, managers, a rich man and a beggar. What wealth does to a person.
Being ready
Lamps, talents, servants waiting up. What to do while you wait.
The Sheep and the GoatsNations are divided by what they did for the hungry, the sick, the imprisoned.Matthew 25:31-46The Ten VirginsTen wait for a bridegroom. Five brought extra oil. Five did not, and the door closes.Matthew 25:1-13The TalentsThree servants are given money to manage. Two invest it. One buries his in the ground.Matthew 25:14-30The Ten MinasA nobleman leaves money with ten servants before traveling to be made king.Luke 19:11-27The Watchful ServantsServants keep their lamps burning, waiting for a master who returns at an unknown hour.Luke 12:35-40The Faithful and Wise ServantA servant put in charge of the household either feeds them or beats them while the master is away.Matthew 24:45-51
Grace that offends
The last paid the same as the first. The invited who did not come. Grace that upsets people.
The Workers in the VineyardWorkers hired at dawn and workers hired an hour before quitting time are paid the same.Matthew 20:1-16The Great BanquetInvited guests all make excuses, so the host fills the table with strangers off the street.Luke 14:15-24The Wedding FeastA king invites guests to his son wedding. They refuse, so he opens it to everyone.Matthew 22:1-14The Two SonsA father asks two sons to work. One says no and goes. One says yes and does not.Matthew 21:28-32The Wicked TenantsTenants beat the servants sent to collect rent, then kill the owner son.Mark 12:1-12
Counting the cost
Building on rock, building a tower, going to war. What it takes to follow.
The Wise and Foolish BuildersTwo houses, one on rock and one on sand. The same storm hits both.Matthew 7:24-27Counting the CostA man builds a tower without pricing it out. A king marches to war outnumbered.Luke 14:28-33The Barren Fig TreeAn owner wants to cut down a tree that has not fruited in three years. The gardener asks for one more year.Luke 13:6-9New Wine in Old WineskinsYou do not patch old cloth with new, or pour new wine into brittle old skins.Mark 2:21-22The Unworthy ServantsA servant who has done his work does not expect to be thanked for doing his work.Luke 17:7-10The Lamp Under a BowlNobody lights a lamp and hides it. Lamps go on stands.Mark 4:21-25
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