56 Bible Verses about Parables Of Christ

Another parable proposed he to them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a man who sowed good seed in his field: and while the men were asleep, his enemy came and sowed zizane among the wheat, and departed. But when the blade was shot up, and produced fruit, then appeared also the zizane. read more.
The servants of the proprietor came, and said to him, Master, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? whence then hath it the zizane? He saith unto them, Some man, an enemy, hath done this. Then the servants said to him, Wilt thou that we go and weed them out? he replied, No; lest perhaps in weeding out the zizane, we root up the wheat with them. Let them both grow together till the harvest: and at the harvest-time I will say to the reapers, Gather out first the zizane, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Then Jesus dismissing the multitudes, went into a house; and his disciples came unto him, saying, Explain to us the parable of the zizane of the field. And he replying said to them, He that sowed the good seed, is the Son of man; the field is the world: and the good seed are those who are the children of the kingdom; but the zizane are the children of the wicked one; read more.
the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the zizane are gathered, and burned in the fire; just so shall it be at the end of this world. The Son of man shall send out his angels, and shall gather together out of his kingdom all things offensive, and those who practise iniquity; and will cast them into a furnace of fire; there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun, in the kingdom of their Father. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell by the road side, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it up. And other seed fell on a rock, and vegetating, withered because it had no moisture. And other seed fell amidst thorns, and the thorns springing up with it, choked it. read more.
And some fell on good ground, and shooting up, produced fruit an hundred fold. So saying, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Then his disciples asked him, saying. What might this parable mean? And he said, To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God; but to the rest in parables: that seeing they may not perceive, and hearing may not comprehend. Now this is the parable: The seed is the word of God. They by the road side, are such as hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh the word from their heart, that they should not be saved in believing. And they on the rock, are such as when they have heard, with joy embrace the word; and these have not root, who for a time believe, and in a season of trial apostasize. And that which fell among thorns, are they having heard, and going away, are choked by the cares, and wealth, and pleasures of life, and bring forth no perfect fruit. But that on the good ground are they who having heard the word, retain it in a heart excellent and good, and bring forth fruit with patience.

And he spake unto them many things in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went out to sow: and as he was sowing, some seeds fell indeed by the road-side; and the birds came and ate them up: and other seed fell on a rocky soil, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: read more.
and when the sun arose, it was scorched up; and because it had no root, it withered away. And other seeds fell among the thorns; and the thorns sprang up and choked them: but others fell on good ground, and produced fruit, some an hundred, some sixty, and some thirty. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And when his disciples came, they said to him, Why speakest thou to them in parables? And he answered and said unto them, Because to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, more shall be given to him, and he shall have abundance: but whosoever hath not, even that he hath shall be taken from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables: that seeing, they may not see; and hearing, they may not hear nor understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which saith, With the hearing ye shall hear, and not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and in no wise perceive: for the heart of this people is waxed gross, and with their ears they have heard heavily, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with the eves, and hear with the ears, and understand with the heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes; for ye see: and your ears; for ye hear. For verily I tell you, That many prophets and righteous men have greatly desired to see the things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear the things which ye hear, and have not heard them. Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any person heareth the word of the kingdom, and doth not understand it, the wicked one cometh, and snatcheth away what was sown on his heart: such is he who is the sown by the road-side. But the sown on the rocky soil, is he who having heard the word, and instantly with joy receiving it, hath not really root in himself, but is merely temporary: and when tribulation or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately he is stumbled. But the sown among the thorns, is he who heareth the word, and the anxiety about this world and the deceitfulness of riches, choketh the word, and it becometh unfruitful. But the sown upon the good ground, is he who heareth the word, and understandeth it; who truly beareth fruit, and produceth, one an hundred fold, and another sixty, and another thirty.

So then, every one of you who will not part with all his possessions, cannot be my disciple.

For what man of you designing to erect a tower, doth not first sitting down calculate the expence, if he have sufficient to complete the work? lest haply, after having laid the foundation, and being unable to finish it, all who look upon it begin to ridicule him, saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

But no man lighting a lamp putteth it in a concealed place, or under a bushel, but on a stand, that they who are coming in, may see the light. The lamp of the body is the eye: when therefore thine eye is clear, thy whole body will be luminous, but if it be vitiated, thy whole body will be darkened. Let it be thy aim then, that the light which is in thee do not become darkness. read more.
If then thy whole body be illuminated, not having any dark part, it will be wholly luminous, as a lamp by its brightness diffuseth light.

And he said unto them, Is a lamp brought out to be put under a bushel, or under a bed, and not to be placed on a stand?

When a strong man, in complete armour, guards his palace, his goods are in peace.

No man entering into his house, can plunder a strong man's goods, unless he first bind the strong man, then indeed he spoileth his house.

Who then is the faithful and provident servant, whom his Lord hath appointed over his household, to give them meat in the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find thus occupied. Verily I say unto you, that he will place him over all his substance. read more.
But if that wicked servant say in his heart, My master will be a long while ere he comes; and shall begin to beat his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; the master of that servant will come in a day that he doth not expect him, and at an hour which he knoweth not. And will cut him asunder, and give him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like to a net cast into the sea, and colleting fish of every kind: which, when it was full, they drew to the beach, and sitting down, selected the good into baskets, but cast those of a bad kind away. Just so shall it be at the end of this world: the angels shall go forth, and shall separate the wicked from amidst the just, read more.
and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchantman in search of beautiful pearls: who, having discovered one of vast price, went away and sold all that he possessed, and bought it.

And he called to him the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but what cometh out of the mouth, that defileth the man. Then his disciples approaching, said to him, Knowest thou how offended the Pharisees were at hearing that speech? read more.
Then he answered and said, Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up. Leave them to themselves: they are blind leaders of the blind. But if the blind lead the blind, they will both fall into the pit. Then Peter answering said unto him, Explain to us this parable.

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven like unto a certain king who purposed to settle his account with his servants. And when he began to make up the account, there was brought to him one debtor, ten thousand talents in arrear: but not having wherewithal to pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, and his wife and his children, and all things whatsoever he possessed, and payment to be made. read more.
Then that servant falling prostrate, paid him the most profound homage, saying, Lord, have forbearance with me, and I will pay thee all. Then his lord, moved with compassion towards that servant, discharged him, and forgave him the debt. But that servant going out, found one of his fellow-servants, who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing, throttled him, saying, Pay me what thou owest. Then his fellow-servant fell at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have forbearance with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay what he owed. Then his fellow-servants, when they saw what was done, were exceedingly sorry, and came to their lord, and gave him an explicit account of all things that had passed. Then his lord, calling him before him, said to him, Thou vile slave! all that debt I forgave thee, because thou besoughtest me: and oughtest thou not to have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord, incensed, delivered him up to the torturers, till he should pay all that he owed him. Even so also will my heavenly Father do to you, except ye forgive every one of you his brother, from your hearts, their trespasses.

Hear another parable: There was a certain man, the master of a family, who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and digged in it a wine-press, and built a tower, and hired it out to husbandmen, and went into a distant country. But when the season for fruits drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen to receive his fruits. And the husbandmen took his servants, one they beat, and another they killed, and a third they stoned. read more.
Again he sent other servants more than the first, and they treated them in the same manner. Then at last he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But the husbandmen, when they saw the son, said among themselves, This is the heir, come let us kill him, and let us seize on the inheritance. And they took him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When therefore the master of the vineyard cometh, what will he do with these husbandmen? They say unto him, He will dreadfully destroy those wicked wretches, and will let out his vineyard to other husbandmen, who will render him the fruits in their seasons. Jesus saith unto them, Have ye not read in the Scriptures, "The stone, which the builders rejected; the same is become the head of the corner; this is done by the Lord, and it is wonderful in our eyes." Therefore I tell you, That the kingdom of God shall be taken away from you, and given to a nation, producing the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone, shall be broken in pieces, but on whomsoever it shall fall, it shall grind him to powder. And when the chief priests and Pharisees heard his parables, they knew that he was speaking concerning them.

Learn then a parable from the fig-tree; when its branch is now tender, and the leaves shoot forth, ye know that summer is nigh: just so ye, when ye behold these things, know that it is near, even at the gates. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away until all these things shall be done.

Another parable he proposed to them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard, which a man took and sowed in his field: which indeed is among the smallest of all seeds; but when it is grown, it is among the greatest of herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make their nests in the branches of it.

But what think ye? A man had two sons; and coming to the first he said, Son, go work to-day in my vineyard. But he answering said, I will not: yet repenting afterwards, he went. And coming to the other, he spake after the same manner, and he replying, said, I go, sir; yet went not. read more.
Which of the two did the will of his father? They say to him, The first. Jesus saith to them, Verily I say unto you, That tax-gatherers and harlots shall go before you into the kingdom of God. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the tax-gatherers and harlots believed on him. But ye, when ye saw it, repented not afterwards, that ye should believe on him.

For the case is like that of a man, who travelling abroad, called his own servants, and delivered to them his goods. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his several capacity; and immediately went abroad. He then who had received the five talents, went and traded with them, and acquired five other talents. read more.
In the same manner also he that had the two, gained also himself two others. But he that had received the one talent, went and digged a hole in the ground, and hid the silver of his master. Then after a long absence the master of these servants cometh, and maketh a reckoning with them. And he who had received the five talents, coming to him, brought five other talents, saying, Sir, thou deliveredst to me five talents: I have gained to them five other talents. His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many: enter into the joy of thy master. Then came also he that had received the two talents: and said, Sir, thou deliveredst to me two talents: lo! I have gained to them two other talents. His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many: enter thou into thy master's joy. Then came also he that had received the one talent, and said, Sir, knowing thee, that thou art a severe man, reaping where thou hast not sowed, and gathering from whence thou hast not scattered: and being afraid, I went and hid thy talent in the ground: see here, thou hast thine own. Then his master answering said to him, Thou wicked and idle slave, thou knewest that I reap whence I had not sown, and gather where I had not scattered: thou oughtest then to have placed my money with the bankers, so when I came I should have received my own with interest. Take therefore from him the talent, and give it to him that hath the ten talents. For to every one that hath shall be given, and he shall abound: but from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The kingdom of heaven is like to a certain king, who made a marriage-feast for his son: and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the entertainment: and they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, Tell those who have been invited, Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and the fatlings are killed, and all things are ready; come unto the marriage-feast. read more.
But they gave themselves no concern about it, and went their several ways, one to his own farm, and another to his traffick: And the rest seizing his servants, insulted and slew them. Then the king, when he heard it, was incensed: and sending out his armies, destroyed these murderers, and burnt down their city. Then he said to his servants, The wedding entertainment indeed is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy: go therefore into the thoroughfares of the roads, and as many as ye find, invite to the banquet. So these servants going out into the roads, collected all, as many as they found, both bad and good; and the wedding feast was fully furnished with guests. Then the king coming in to look around on the guests, saw there a man who had not put on the wedding garment: and he saith to him, Friend, how came thou in here, not having the garment provided for the marriage feast? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind his feet and hands, and take him away, and cast him into the darkness, which is without; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few elect.

FOR the kingdom of heaven is like a man, the master of a family, who went out at break of day, to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers at a denarius a day, he sent them into the vineyard. And going out about the third hour, he saw others standing in the market place unemployed. read more.
And he said to them, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatever is equitable, I will give it you. So they went. Again going out, about the sixth and ninth hour, he did after the same manner. But about the eleventh hour, going out, he found others standing unemployed, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith to them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatever is equitable, ye shall receive. Now when the evening came, the master of the vineyard said to his overseer, Call the labourers, and give them their wages, beginning from the last to the first. And when they came, who began about the eleventh hour, they received each a denarius. But when the first came, they expected that they should receive more; and they also received every man a denarius. But when they received it, they murmured against the master of the family: saying, These last have wrought only a single hour, and thou hast put them on an equality with us, who have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answering, said to one of them, Friend, I do thee no injustice; did I not agree with thee for a denarius? Take then thine own, and begone: I chuse to give to this last even as to thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? Thus shall the last be first, and the first last; for many are called, but the elect are few.

Every man therefore who is hearing from me these words, and puts them in practice, I will compare him to the intelligent man, who erected his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the rivers rushed, and the winds blew, and they beat against that house, and it fell not; for it was founded on a rock. And every man who is hearing these sayings of mine, and doth not practise them, he will resemble the foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: read more.
and the rain descended, and the rivers rushed, and the winds blew, and set against that house, and it fell; and the fall of it was great.

THEN shall the kingdom of heaven be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps, went forth to meet the bridegroom. But five of them were provident, and five foolish. Those who were taking their lamps, took no oil with them: read more.
but the provident took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But as the bridegroom stayed long, they all slumbered and slept. Then at midnight the cry came, Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go forth to meet him. Then all these virgins arose, and set about trimming their lamps. And the foolish said to the provident, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the provident replied, saying, No; lest there be not a sufficiency for us and you: but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves. But while they were gone away to buy, the bridegroom came; and they who were prepared went in with him to the marriage-feast: and the door was shut. Then came afterwards the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us. But he answering said, Verily, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour in which the Son of man cometh.

And this observe, that if the master of the family had known in which watch of the night the thief would have come, he would have watched, and not have suffered him to break into his house.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hid in a field: which when a man findeth, he hideth, and for joy thereof, goeth away and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, making splendid entertainments every day: and there was a certain pauper, named Lazarus, who was laid at his gate covered with ulcers, and importunately desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: yea even the dogs came and licked his ulcers. read more.
Now it came to pass that the poor man died, and was carried up by angels into the bosom of Abraham. Then the rich man also died, and was buried: and in hell, lifting up his eyes, being in torments, he seeth Abraham at a vast distance, and Lazarus in his bosom. And crying out, he said, Father Abraham, have compassion on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented with this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou hast received thy good things during thy life, and Lazarus, in like manner, what was afflictive: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And besides all these considerations, between us and you there is a vast chasm fixed: so that they who might be willing to pass from hence to you, cannot; neither can they pass through to us, from thence. And he said, I entreat thee then, father, that thou wouldest send him to my paternal mansion: for I have five brothers: that he may testify to them, that they also come not into this place of torment. Abraham saith to him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hearken to them. But he said, Ah no, father Abraham! but if one came to them from the dead, they will repent. Then he said to him, If they hearken not to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead.

Or what king, going forth to encounter another king in battle, doth not sit down first, and consult if he is able with ten thousand men to meet him who is coming against him with twenty thousand? and if he be not, whilst he is still at a distance, he sendeth an embassy, and desires terms of peace. So then, every one of you who will not part with all his possessions, cannot be my disciple.

Then Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, who, when they had both stripped him, and covered him with wounds, got off, leaving him half dead. And it so fell out, that a certain priest went down that way, and seeing him, he kept the opposite side of the road. And a Levite also, in the same way, being near the place, came, and seeing him, kept the opposite side of the road. read more.
But a certain Samaritan travelling, came by him, and seeing him, was moved with compassion, and coming up to him, bound up his wounds, after pouring on them oil and wine; then setting him on his own beast, he led him to an inn, and took particular care of him. And on the morrow, as he was departing, he took out of his purse two denarii, and gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, Take great care of him; and whatever farther expence may be incurred, when I return, I will repay thee. Which then of these three do you suppose to be the neighbour of him who fell into the robbers' hands? And he said, He that shewed mercy towards him. Then said Jesus to him, Go, and do thou exactly the same.

Then said he to the multitudes, When ye see a cloud rising from the west, ye say immediately, There cometh a shower; and it is so. And when the south wind gently blows, ye say, It will be sultry hot; and so it is. Ye hypocrites! ye know how to discern by experience from the appearance of the earth and of the sky; but how is it that ye do not discern this particular time? read more.
And why even of yourselves do ye not decide what is just?

Salt is good: but if the salt become insipid, by what shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor for manure; but they cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The estate of a certain rich man bore plentifully: and he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do? for I have not room where I may house my crops. And he said, I will do this; I will take down my barns, and build them larger, and collect there all my crops, and my good things! read more.
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast a multitude of good things in store for many years, be at ease, eat, drink, and be merry! But God said to him, Thou fool! this night shall they demand thy life from thee; and the things which thou hast prepared, whose shall they be? Just such is every one who heapeth up treasure for self, and is not rich towards God.

He said therefore, A certain man of noble family went into a distant region, to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And calling his ten servants, he gave them ten manehs, and said unto them, Employ yourselves in traffic, till I come back. But his citizens hated him, and sent an embassy after him, saying, We will not have this man to rule over us. read more.
And it came to pass, at his return, after receiving the kingdom, that he ordered the servants to be called, to whom he had given the money, that he might know what every one had gained by his traffic. Then came the first, and said, Sir, thy maneh has gained ten manehs. And he said unto him, Well done, good servant: because thou hast been faithful in the least matter, hold thou dominion over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy maneh hath gained five manehs. Then said he also to this man, Be thou also over five cities. And another came, saying, Master, there is thy maneh, which I have kept wrapt up in a napkin: for I was afraid of thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up where thou hadst laid nothing down, and reapest where thou didst not sow. And he said to him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I am an austere man, taking up what I laid not down, and reaping what I did not sow; why then gavest thou not my money to the bank, so when I came I might have required it with interest? And he said to those who stood by, Take from him the maneh, and give it to him who hath the ten manehs. (And they say unto him, Sir, he hath ten manehs.) For I say unto you, That to every one who hath, shall more be given; but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away from him. But as for these enemies of mine, who would not that I should reign over them, bring them hither, and slay them before me.

As a man going abroad, when he left his abode, and gave his servants authority, and to each his work, commanded also the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore; for ye know not at what time the master of the house cometh, at evening, or midnight, or cock-crowing, or in the morning: lest coming suddenly he find you asleep. read more.
Now what I say to you, I say to all, Watch.

When the unclean spirit is indeed gone out of a man, he traverses through places destitute of water, in search of rest, but cannot find it.

Then he said, A certain man had two sons: and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of substance which falls to my share. And he divided with them his fortune. And not many days after, the younger son, collecting his all, travelled into a far distant country, and there dissipated his substance in a life of debauchery. read more.
But when he had spent all, there came a terrible famine in that region; and he began to know want. And he went and connected himself with one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he eagerly longed to fill his belly with the charob berries which the swine did eat: and no person gave him [a morsel]. Then coming to himself, he said, How many hirelings of my father abound with loaves of bread, and I am pining away with famine! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and I am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hirelings. And he arose and came to his father. But when he was yet at a considerable distance, his father discovered him, and was moved with compassion, and running, fell on his neck, and kissed him again and again. Then said the son unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring out the best robe, and clothe him; and put a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet: and bring hither the stall-fed steer, and kill it; and let us eat, and be joyous. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. And they began to be joyous. Now his elder brother had been in the field: and when coming home he drew near the house, he heard a concert of music, and the chorus. And calling one of the servants, he inquired what these things meant. And he said, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed for him the stall-fed steer, because he hath received him in health. Then he was in great wrath, and would not enter the doors: therefore his father came out, and entreated him. But he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years I am serving thee, and never have transgressed thy command: yet to me thou hast never once given a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: but no sooner is this son of thine come, who hath devoured thy substance with whores, than thou hast killed for him the stall-fed steer. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all my possessions are thine. But it was right that we should rejoice, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Another parable spake he to them: The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and covered up in three measures of flour, until the whole was leavened.

But no man ingrafts a patch of undressed cloth into an old garment, for the piece supplied taketh from the garment, and the rent becomes worse.

Nor do they put new wine into old bottles: but if they do, the bottles burst, and the wine is spilt, and the bottles are destroyed: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

Then he spake to those who were invited, a parable, when he observed how they chose the principal seats; saying unto them, When thou art invited of any person to a marriage entertainment, recline not on the principal couch; lest a more honourable personage than thyself be invited by him; and he that invited thee and him, coming say to thee, Yield this person the place; and so thou shalt begin with shame to go down to the lowest place. read more.
But when thou art invited, go and sit down in the lowest place; that when he who invited thee comes, he may say to thee, Friend, go up higher; then shalt thou have respect in the presence of those who are seated with thee. For every one who exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Then he spake also this parable to certain persons, who had confidence in themselves, that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up to the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, the other a tax-farmer. The Pharisee, standing by himself, made this prayer: God, I thank thee, that I am not as the rest of mankind, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or as this tax-gatherer. read more.
I keep a fast twice a week, I pay the tenth of all things I possess. And the tax-gatherer standing at a distance, would not even so much as lift his eyes heaven-ward, but smote on his breast, saying, May God accept the atonement for me a sinner! I say to you, Went this man down to his house justified, or the other? for every one who exalteth himself shall be humbled; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Or what woman having ten pieces of silver coin, if she lose one of them, doth she not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and make diligent search until she find it? And having found it, she calleth her female friends and neighbours together, saying, Congratulate me; for I have found the silver piece I had lost. Even so, I tell you, there is joy among the angels of God, over one repentant sinner.

A certain creditor had two debtors, the one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. But having nothing to pay, he forgave them both. Tell me, which of these, then, will love him most? And Simon answering said, I suppose, he to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast judged rightly. read more.
So turning to the woman, he said to Simon, Thou seest this woman? I came into thine house, even water for my feet thou gavest not; but she hath washed my feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. One kiss hast thou not given me, but she from the time she hath come in, hath not ceased tenderly to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou hast not anointed; but she hath anointed my feet with odoriferous balm. For which cause, I tell thee, her many sins are forgiven, for she hath loved much: but to whom a little is forgiven, he loveth little.

For there is no good tree which produceth fruit of a bad quality; neither doth a tree of a bad sort produce good fruit. Every tree is known by its own peculiar fruit. For men do not gather figs from off thorns, nor do they gather from the bramble a bunch of grapes. A good man, out of the good treasure of his heart, produceth what is good; and a wicked man, from the evil treasure in his heart, produceth that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

But why beholdest thou the mote which is in thy brother's eye, but observest not the beam which is in thine own eye? Or how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, permit me to take off the mote which is on thine eye, not seeing thyself the beam in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite! cast out the beam which is in thine eye, and then shalt thou see distinctly to take off the mote which is in thy brother's eye.

And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber weep, whilst the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then will they fast.

And he said, The kingdom of heaven is of that kind, as if a man should cast seed into his field; and sleep and rise, night and day, and the sown corn should sprout, and grow into length, he knoweth not how: for the earth, naturally prolific, beareth fruit; first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear. read more.
But when the grain is ready, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because harvest is come.

And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and he shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine is come to me off a journey, and I have nothing to set before him. And he from within answering, shall say, Give me no farther trouble: my door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed; I am unable to rise and give thee. read more.
I tell you, though even he would not rise and give him because he is his friend; yet because of his importunity, roused up, he will give him as many as he needeth. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

THEN he spake also to them a parable, to shew that we ought to pray always, and not faint; saying, There was a certain judge in a particular city, having no fear of God, nor respect for man: and there was a certain widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, Do me justice against my adversary. read more.
And he would not for a long while: but after this he said, Though I fear not God, nor respect man; yet because this woman is so troublesome to me, I will do her justice, lest by her perpetual coming she stun me with her importunity, Then said the Lord, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God execute vengeance for his own elect, who cry out to him day and night, though he bear long with them? Yes, I tell you, that he will avenge them quickly. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, ah! shall he find faith on the earth?

Then he spake this parable: A certain man had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard; and he came, expecting fruit on it, and found none. Then said he to the vine-dresser, Lo! for three years have I come, expecting fruit on this fig-tree, and find none: cut it down; why doth it render the ground thus useless? He answering said to him, Sir, let it e'en remain this year, until that I dig around it, and spread some manure: read more.
perhaps it may then produce fruit: but if it does not, afterwards thou shalt cut it down.

THEN said he also to his disciples, There was a certain rich man, who had a steward; and he received an information against him, as having dissipated his treasures. And calling him, he said to him, What is this report I hear of thee? give up the account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer in that office. Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? because my master is taking away the stewardship from me: to dig, I have not the strength; to beg, I am ashamed. read more.
I know what I will do, that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may entertain me at their houses. So calling upon every one of his master's debtors, he said to the first, How much owest thou to my master? And he said, A hundred baths of oil. And he said, Take thy account, and sit down directly, and write fifty. Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred core of wheat. And he saith to him, Take thy account, and write fourscore. And the master praised the unjust steward, because he had acted providently: for the children of this world are more provident among their own generation of men, than the children of light.

I AM the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth no fruit, he taketh it away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he pruneth it clean, that it may bring forth more fruit. Ye are already clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. read more.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abide in the vine: so neither can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, this person beareth much fruit: because without me ye can do nothing.

VERILY, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheep-fold, but getteth in some other way, that person is a thief and a robber. He that entereth by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own peculiar sheep by name, and leadeth them forth. read more.
And when he bringeth out his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: because they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will fly from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they knew nothing of the things which he spake to them.

Then spake he unto them this parable, saying, What man is there of you, possessing an hundred sheep, though he lose but one of them, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? and when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. read more.
And coming home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Congratulate me; for I have found that sheep of mine which was lost. I tell you, that just so will there be joy in heaven over one repentant sinner, more than over ninety-nine righteous persons, who hold not their need of repentance.

Even if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand:

and if a family be divided against itself, that family cannot be established.

And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? will they not both fall into the pit?