55 PARABLES OF JESUS
*A TOPICAL SUMMARY*
The following is a topical list of 55 parables in the New Testament. Counting parables depends on whether parallel parables of different Gospels are included and the issue of whether a simple simile or metaphor ("You are the salt of the earth") is a parable. Some scholars limit the number to 33, others to about a hundred. I have tried to simplify their types; but the parables are richer than summaries suggest (I have given simple readings). Their richness is clear with frequent study. I would like to suggest a CDE mmenomic (memory aid) to read the parables: Christological readings of the parables (whether a character, like murdered son in the parable of the vineyard, stands for Jesus) or Dispensationalist readings (whether Jesus is teaching the end of Israel as God's Chosen People), and Eschatological interpretations (whether Jesus is preaching an imminent [near] Judgment) are contested but implied. Each parable below is coded accordingly, but other readings are possible.
1. Lost Coin Lk 15:8-10: A woman cares more for a lost coin than her other coins; so God cares more for the lost than the righteous. D*A TOPICAL SUMMARY*
The following is a topical list of 55 parables in the New Testament. Counting parables depends on whether parallel parables of different Gospels are included and the issue of whether a simple simile or metaphor ("You are the salt of the earth") is a parable. Some scholars limit the number to 33, others to about a hundred. I have tried to simplify their types; but the parables are richer than summaries suggest (I have given simple readings). Their richness is clear with frequent study. I would like to suggest a CDE mmenomic (memory aid) to read the parables: Christological readings of the parables (whether a character, like murdered son in the parable of the vineyard, stands for Jesus) or Dispensationalist readings (whether Jesus is teaching the end of Israel as God's Chosen People), and Eschatological interpretations (whether Jesus is preaching an imminent [near] Judgment) are contested but implied. Each parable below is coded accordingly, but other readings are possible.
2. Lost Sheep Mt 18:12-14; Lk 15:3-7: The shepherd (God or Jesus) cares more for one lost sheep than all the others. D
3. Prodigal Son Lk 15:11-32: The sinner is welcomed back, to the envy of his "righteous" brother. God embraces Jews and Gentiles. D
4. Two Sons Mt 21:28-32: Those who have the Law but do not do the Law are less righteous than those who have no Law but obey God's will. D
5. New Cloth on Old Garments Mt 9:16; Mk 2:21; Lk 5:36: The New Promise cannot be added to the Old Law. D
6. New Wine in Old Wineskins Mt 9:17; Mk 2:22; Lk 5:37: Same as above. New wine will break old wineskins, so the old must be replaced. D
7. Householder Mt 13:52: The householder values the new in his home as well as the old; the New Covenant should be valued along with the Old. D
8. Feast Mt 22:2-14; Lk 14:16-24: Invited guests refuse a free feast, so outsiders are invited instead. God's Chosen People refused God's Promise, so it's given to outsiders (Gentiles). D, C
9. Tenants Mt 21:33-45; Mk 12:1-12; Lk 20:9-19: Tenants refuse to give the fruit of a vineyard to its owner and kill his son, so the vineyard is taken away. The Son is Jesus; the vineyard is Israel. D, C
10. Rich Man and Lazarus Lk 16:19-31: Those rich in the Law may not see God, while the poor will. D
11. Lowest seat at the meal Lk 14:7-11: Those who think they have a right to God's favors at the feast are told to step down, while the humble sinner is told to step up. D
12. Workers in the Vineyard Mt 20:1-16: All workers are paid the same regardless how long they worked. God's gift is unearned and freely given; God embraces those who found him late as completely as those who found him early. (The "eleventh hour," meaning near the end, comes from this parable. But "eleventh" in Jewish reckoning meant 5 p.m., not 11 p.m.) E
13. Unmerciful Servant Mt 18:23-34: We must imitate God's mercy in order to receive it. In this sense, God's Kingdom has already begun. E
14. Barren Fig Tree Lk 13:6-9: A tree must show fruit or be cut down. Same with those who have the Law. D
15. Good Samaritan Lk 10:30-37: Those outside God's Law are more righteous than those who have the Law. D
16. Two Debtors Lk 7:41-43: The sinner loves God more than those who practice the Law. D
17. Children in the Marketplace Mt 11:16-19; Lk 1:31-35 Jewish leaders reject John and Jesus because one's too strict, the other too gentle; but wisdom is proved by its fruits. D
18. Pharisee and Tax Collector Lk 18:9-14 The sinful taxman is elected over the righteous Pharisee. E
19. Divided Kingdom. Mk 3:22-27; Mt 12:22-30; Lk 11:14-23 In binding Satan, the New Law replaces the Old; but the New Law must be established, or Satan and his friends will return stronger. E
20. The True Vine Jn 15:1-8 Jesus, not Israel, is the true vine. One of 7 "I Am" sayings in the Gospel of John, not often listed among the parables. D
21. Dragnet Mt 13:47-50 In God's time, bad fish will be separated from the good. E
22. Sheep and Goats Mt 25:31-33 In God's time, sheep will be separated from goats. E
23. Sower Mt 13:3-23; Mk 4:2-20; Lk 8:4-15 God's word bears fruit only when it's practiced. D
24. Mustard Seed Mt 13:31,32; Mk 4:30-32; Lk 13:18-19 Like the tiny mustard seed, God's Kingdom is small now but soon will grow.E
25. Leaven Mt 13:33; Lk 13:20, 21 A little faith/preaching affects a whole group. E
26. Fig Tree Mt 24:32-44; Mk 13:28-32; Lk 21:29-33 Like the fig tree, God's grace shows fruit in season. E
27. Weeds Mt 13:24-30; 36-43 Weeds will be destroyed in God's harvest. E
28. Growing Seed Mk 4:26-29 Like plants grow without our knowing, God's work takes place without our knowing. E
29. Tower Lk 14:28-30 We must be prepared for our work, whether building a tower or building God's Kingdom. E
30. War Lk 14:31-32 We must count the cost of God's kingdom. E
31. Unworthy Servants Lk 17:7-10 The least we can do is serve God. C
32. Salt of the Earth Mt 5:13 Mk 9:50 If we don't fight for God's kingdom, we're good for nothing, like salt without flavor. C, E
33. Pearl Mt 13:45-46 God's kingdom is worth all we have. C
34. Eye and Hand Mt 5:29-30, Mk 9:43-48. An eye or hand is worth God's kingdom. A controversial parable, typical of Jesus' provocative ("scandalous") teaching. E
35. Treasure Mt 13:44 All we have is worth God's treasure. C
36. Lamp Mt 5:14-16; Mk 4:21-22; Lk 8:16-17; Lk 11:33-36 If you believe, preach it. C
37. Friend Lk 11:5-13 If worldly people answer our requests, how much more will God. E
38. Widow Lk 18:1-8 If unjust judges give justice when repeatedly asked, how much more will a just God. E
39. Cursed Fig Tree Mt 21:18-22, Mk 11:12-25 More a symbolic action than a parable: the tree that has leaves but no fruit (laws but no obedience) is cursed. In Mark this symbolically precedes Jesus' Cleansing of the Temple. D
40. Dogs and Pigs Mt 7:6 "Don't throw pearls before swine" is one of the more famous of Jesus' sayings. One meaning is: "Don't preach to those who have no faith and are therefore deaf to God's word." D
41. A Tree and Its Fruits Mt 12:33 Lk 6:43-45 A tree is judged by its fruits; God's people are judged by their deeds. D
42. Blind Leading the Blind Lk 6:39 Mt 15:14 The unrighteous cannot teach righteousness. D
43. Lilies of the Field Mt 6:28-34 True faith shows as trust in God. E
Eschatological parables:
44. Wise and Wicked Servants Mt 24:45-51; Lk 12:42-48 God will come unexpectedly and reward his good servants and punish the bad ones. E
45. Closed Door Lk 13:25-30 If you hesitate, God's door may be shut in your face. E
46. Wise Servant Lk 12:35-40 The wise prepare for God. E
47. Going to Court Mt 5:25-26 Lk 12:57-59 Do what is just before we face the judge (God). E
48. Rich Fool Lk 12:16-21 "You can't take it with you,"and it's foolish to live as if you can. E
49. Thief Mt 24:42-44 God will come like a thief, so be ready. E
50. Strong Foundation Mt 7:24-27; Lk 6:47-49 When Judgment comes, be sure you can stand before God in righteousness. E
51. Shrewd Manager Lk 16:1-13 Use the ways of this world for good purpose. E
52. Ten Virgins Mt 25:1-13 Those not ready when God comes will be sorry. E
53. Watchful Porter Mk 13:33-37 The wise watch for the arrival of God. E
54. Pounds Lk 19:11-27 God has a right to the fruits of your life; and if you disown God he'll disown you. E
55. Talents Mt 25:14-30 Make use of what God gives, even if it's little, because God has a right to the fruits of your work. E
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