Thematic Bible: Parables relating to


Thematic Bible



Therefore he said: "A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. So he called ten of his servants, gave them ten minas, and said to them, 'Do business till I come.' But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, 'We do not want this man to reign over us.' read more.
And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, ' Master, your mina has earned ten minas more.' And he said to him, 'Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, be in authority over ten cities.' And the second came, saying, 'Master, your mina has earned five minas.' Likewise he said to him, 'You also be over five cities.' Then another came, saying, 'Master, here is your mina, which I have kept laid away in a handkerchief; for I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take up what you did not lay down, and reap what you did not sow.' He said to him, 'I will judge you out of your own mouth, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a hard man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow? Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?' And he said to those who stood by, 'Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.' And they said to him, 'Master, he has ten minas already!' 'I tell you, that to every one who has will more be given; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. But those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them before me.'"

And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, saying, 'These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.' But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? read more.
Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as I gave to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?'

"What do you think? A man had two sons; and he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' He answered, 'I will not,' but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he went to the second and said the same thing. And he answered, 'I go, sir,' but he did not go. read more.
Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

"For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them; and he made five talents more. read more.
So also, he who had the two talents gained two more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground, and hid his master's money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received the five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your master.' He also who had received the two talents came and said, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your master.' Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' But his master answered him, 'You wicked and lazy servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed? Then you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.

He told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. So he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why should it use up the ground?' And he answered him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. read more.
And if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, you can cut it down.'"