Introduction: What Is a Parable? (revised July, 2001)

PARABLES FROM NATURE

• The Sower and the Seeds (Mark 4:3-9; Matt 13:3-9; Luke 8:5-8)
• The Grain of Wheat (John 12:24)
• The Weeds in the Grain or the Tares (Matt 13:24-30)
• The Net (Matthew 13:47-50)
• The Seed Growing Secretly (Spontaneously) or The Patient Husbandman (Mark 4:26-29)
• The Mustard Seed (Matt13:31f.;Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18 f.)
• The Leaven (Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:20 f.)
• The Budding Fig Tree (Matt 24:32 f.; Mark 13:28 f.; Luke 21:19-31)
• The Barren Fig Tree (Luke 13:6-9)
• The Birds of Heaven (Matthew 6:26; Luke 12:24)
• The Flowers of the Field (Matt 6:28-30; Luke 12:27f.)
• The Vultures & the Carcass (Matt 24:28; Luke 17:37)
• The Tree and its Fruits (Matthew 7:16; Luke 6:43-49)

The Weather Signs (Luke 12:54-56; cf. Matthew 26:2 f.; Mark 8:11-13)

WORK AND WAGES

• Master and Servant (Luke 17:7-10)
• The Servant Entrusted with Authority or The Faithful and Unfaithful Servants (Matt. 24:45-51; Luke 12:42-46)
• The Waiting Servants (Luke 12:35-38; Mark 13:33-37)
• The Laborers in the Vineyard or The Generous Employer (Matthew 20:1-16)
• The Money in Trust or The Talents (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-27)
• The Lamp (Matt 5:14-16; Mark 4:21; Luke 8:16, 11:31) and The City Set on a Hill (Matt. 5:14b)
• The Body's Lamp (Matthew 6:22 f.; Luke 11:34-36)
• The Discarded Salt (Matt 5:13; Mark 9:50; Luke 14:34 f.)
• The Patch and the Wineskins (Matthew 9:16 f.; Mark 2:21 f.; Luke 5:36-39)
• The Householder's Treasure (Matthew 13:52)
• The Dishonest Steward (Luke 16:1-12) Revised!
• The Defendant (Luke 12:58 f.; Matthew 5:25 f.)
• The Unforgiving Official or The Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:23-35)
• The Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21)
• The Wicked Vinedressers (Matthew 21:33-41; Mark 12:1-9; Luke 20:9-16)
• The Two Builders (Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:47-49)
• The Two Debtors (Luke 7:41-43)
• The Hidden Treasure (Matthew 13:44)

The Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13:45 f.)

OPEN & CLOSED DOORS

• The Closed Door (Luke 13:24-30)
• The Doorkeeper (Mark 13:33-37; cf. Matt 24:42)
• The Thief in the Night and the Faithful Servants (Matthew 24:42-51.; Luke 12:32-48.)
• The Strong Man Bound (Matthew 12:29; Mark 3:27; Luke 11:21 f.)
• The Divided Realm (Mark 3:24-26; Luke 11:17-20)
• The Unoccupied House or The Demon's Invasion (Matthew 12:43-45; Luke 11:24-26)
• The Importunate Neighbor (Luke 11:5-8)
• The Son's Request (Matthew 7:9-11; Luke 11:11-13)
• The Unjust Judge or The Importunate Widow (Luke 18:1-8)

The Pharisee and the Publican (Luke 18:9-14)

WEDDINGS AND FEASTS

• The Sulking Children or The Children in the Marketplace (Matthew 11:16-19; Luke 7:31-35)
• The Arrogant Guest (Luke 14:7-11)
• The Bridegroom's Friend (John 3:28)
• The Bridegroom's Attendants (Matthew 9:15a; Mark 2:18 f.; Luke 5:34)
• The Bride's Girlfriends or Ten Virgins (Matt25:1-13)
• The Tower Builder and The Warring King (Luke 14:28-32)
• The Wedding Feast or The Unwilling Guests (Matt 22:1-10; Luke 14:16-24)
• The Wedding Garment (Matthew 22:11-14)
• The Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)

LOST AND FOUND, FATHER AND SON

• The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
• The Prodigal Son or The Loving Father (Luke 15:11-32)
• The Two Sons, The Apprentice Son, and The Slave and Son (Matthew 21:28-32; John 5:19-20a; John 3:35)
• The Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10)
• The Lost Sheep (Matthew 28:12-14; Luke 15:4-7)
• The Shepherd, the Thief, and the Doorkeeper (John 10:1-18)
• The Doctor and the Sick (Matthew 9:12; Mark 2:17; Luke 5: 31 f.)

The Great Assize or The Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31-46)