Matthew 13:3

The Parable Of The Sower

² Great crowds gathered around Him so that He went and sat down in a boat [just off shore], while the crowd stood on the beach. ³ And He spoke many things to them in parables [i.e., brief stories to illustrate His teaching], saying, "Once a farmer went out [to his field] to plant grain. ⁴ And some of the seed he sowed [i.e., scattering it by hand] landed along the side of the road and birds came and ate it.

Old Man

Matthew 13:10-13

Jesus' disciples came and said to Him, "Why are you speaking to them [i.e., the large crowds] by using parables?"

Matthew 13:34-35

Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds with parables. He did not say anything to them without using a parable.

Matthew 13:53

And it happened, when Jesus had finished [giving] these parables, He went away from that place.

Mark 4:2-9

He taught the people many things using parables [to illustrate His lessons]. In His teaching He said to them,

Mark 4:13

And Jesus continued to speak to them, "Do you not know what this parable means? Then how can you understand any of the other parables?

Mark 4:33

And He spoke "the word" to them [i.e., the crowds] with as many such parables as they were able to receive.

Matthew 22:1

Jesus again spoke in parables to them [i.e., the Jewish leaders], saying,

Matthew 24:32

"Now learn this parable [i.e., a brief analogy to illustrate a lesson] from the fig tree: When its tender sprouts appear and its leaves begin to develop, you know that summer is near.

Mark 3:23

And He called them to Him and began speaking to them in parables [i.e., brief stories to illustrate His teaching], saying, "How can Satan drive out Satan?

Mark 12:1

Jesus began speaking to them [i.e., to the leading priests and experts in the law of Moses (See 11:

Mark 12:12

And they [i.e., the leading priests and experts in the Law of Moses] attempted to arrest Jesus, but [hesitated because] they feared what the crowd might do, for they understood that He was speaking the parable against them. So, they left Him and went away.

Luke 8:5-8

A farmer went out [to his field] to plant grain. And as he sowed [i.e., scattering seeds by hand], some of it landed along side of the road; it was stepped on by people and [eventually] birds of the sky came and ate it.

Luke 8:10

And He said to them, "You [disciples] are being given an understanding of the secrets of the kingdom of God, but the rest of the people [are being told] in parables, so that [even though they appear to be] seeing, they will not [actually] see; and [even though they seem to] hear, they will not understand.

Luke 12:41

Then Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable for our benefit [only] or for all people?"

Luke 15:3-7

So, Jesus told them this parable, saying,

John 16:25

"I have spoken these things to you in figurative language. [However], the time will come when I will not speak to you in figurative language, but will tell you plainly about the Father.