56 Bible Verses about Parables Of Christ

Most Relevant Verses

Matthew 7:24-27

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And every one who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand;read more.
and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell. And great was its fall."

Matthew 9:16

No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse.

Matthew 9:17

Neither do they put new wine into old wineskins; if they do, the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and so both are preserved."

Matthew 12:43

"When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none.

Matthew 13:3

Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow his seed.

Luke 8:5

"A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it.

Matthew 13:24-30

Another parable he put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. So when the plants sprouted and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also.read more.
And the servants of the householder came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then has it weeds?' He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them up?' But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the weeds you also root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers. Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'"

Matthew 13:31-32

Another parable he put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches."

Luke 13:19

It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches."

Matthew 13:33

He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour till it was all leavened."

Matthew 13:44

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and then in his joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Matthew 13:45-46

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

Matthew 13:47-50

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; which, when it was full, they drew it up on the shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteousread more.
and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Matthew 15:10-15

And he called the people to him and said to them, "Hear and understand: not what goes into the mouth defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man." Then the disciples came and said to him, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?"read more.
He answered, "Every plant which my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit." But Peter said to him, "Explain the parable to us."

Matthew 18:23-35

Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the settlement, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And as he was not able to pay, his master ordered that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.read more.
So the servant fell on his knees before him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' The master of that servant took pity on him, released him, and forgave him the debt. But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe.' So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you back.' But he refused, and went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and went and told their master all that had happened. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. So also my heavenly Father will do to each of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."

Matthew 20:1-16

"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,read more.
and to them he said, 'You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went. Again he went out about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, and did the same thing. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, 'Why have you been standing here idle all day?' They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.' And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.' And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. So when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius. 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? 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?' So the last will be first, and the first will be last."

Matthew 21:28-32

"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 John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the harlots believed him; and even when you saw it, you did not afterward repent and believe him.

Matthew 21:33-45

"Hear another parable: there was a landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vine dressers and went into a far country. When the harvest time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants, to get his fruit. And the tenants took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another.read more.
Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did the same to them. Last of all, he sent his son to them saying, 'They will respect my son,' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.' So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons." Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'? "Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. [And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder."] When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them.

Matthew 22:2-14

"The kingdom of heaven is like a king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; but they were not willing to come. Again, he sent out other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding.'"read more.
But they made light of it and went off, one to his own farm, another to his business. And the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the highways, and invite to the marriage feast as many as you find.' And those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. And he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into the outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' For many are called, but few are chosen."

Matthew 24:32-34

"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all these things take place.

Matthew 24:43

But know this, that if the owner of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not have let his house be broken into.

Matthew 24:45-51

"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes will find so doing. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.read more.
But if that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,' and he then begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of, and he will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 25:1-13

"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them;read more.
but the wise took oil in their flasks with their lamps. While the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there was a cry: 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise replied, 'No, there may not be enough for both us and you; go rather to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us!' But he replied, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Therefore keep watch, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Matthew 25:14-30

"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.' 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. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

Mark 3:24

If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

Mark 3:27

No one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.

Mark 4:26-29

And he said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. All by itself the earth produces grainfirst the blade, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.read more.
But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come."

Mark 4:21

And he said to them, "Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand?

Luke 11:33-36

"No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a stand, that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness. Therefore be careful that the light in you is not darkness.read more.
If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light."

Mark 13:34-37

It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Watch thereforefor you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.read more.
And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"

Luke 6:41-42

And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not notice the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the plank from out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.

Luke 6:43-45

"For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a bramble bush. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good, and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Luke 7:41-47

"A certain creditor had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they had nothing with which to pay him back, he freely forgave them both. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon answered, "I suppose the one to whom he forgave more." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly."read more.
Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss my feet from the time I came in. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfume. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little."

Luke 10:30-37

Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him of his clothing, beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.read more.
But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed mercy on him." And Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Luke 11:5-9

And he said to them, "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; and he will answer from within, 'Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything'?read more.
I tell you, though he will not get up and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as much as he needs. So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Luke 12:16-21

And he told them a parable, saying: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?' And he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods.read more.
And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry."' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have prepared?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

Luke 12:54-57

He also said to the multitudes, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, "A shower is coming'; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, 'There will be hot weather'; and there is. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; but how is it you do not know how to interpret this present time?read more.
"And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?

Luke 13:6-9

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.'"

Luke 14:7-11

So he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noted how they chose the places of honor, saying to them: "When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest one more distinguished than you be invited by him; and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place.read more.
But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Luke 14:28-30

For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build, and was not able to finish.'

Luke 14:31-33

Or what king, going to make war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks terms of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not give up all that he has cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:34-35

Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its taste, how shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill; men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

Luke 15:3-7

So he told them this parable: "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.read more.
And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Luke 15:8-10

"Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.' In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Luke 15:11-32

Then he said: "There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.' So he divided his living between them. Not many days after, the younger son gathered together all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living.read more.
And when he had spent everything, there arose a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and here I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants."' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion for him, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry. "Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, 'Behold, these many years I have been serving you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.'"

Luke 16:1-8

He also said to his disciples: "There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. So he called him and said to him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.' The steward said to himself, 'What shall I do, since my master is taking the stewardship away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg.read more.
I have decided what to do, so that people may receive me into their houses when I am put out of the stewardship.' So he called in each one of his master's debtors, and he said to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' And he said, 'A hundred measures of oil.' So he said to him, 'Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.' Then he said to another, 'And how much do you owe?' And he said, 'A hundred measures of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, and write eighty.' So the master commended the dishonest steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.

Luke 16:19-31

"There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and feasted sumptuously every day. And a certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores, longing to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.read more.
So the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus in his bosom. And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in this flame.' But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus received evil things; but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.' And he said, ' Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come to this place of torment.' Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.'"

Luke 18:1-8

Then he told them a parable, to show that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said: "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor regarded man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'read more.
For a while he refused; but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I neither fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her justice, or she will wear me out by her continual coming.'" And the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you that he will bring about justice for them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

Luke 18:9-14

Also he told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other menextortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.read more.
I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Luke 19:12-27

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.'"

John 10:1-6

"Truly, truly, I say to you, the man who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs in by some other way, he is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.read more.
When he has brought out all his own, he goes on before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." This figure Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

John 15:1-5

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that bears no fruit he takes away; and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.read more.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from me you can do nothing.

Bible Theasaurus

From Thematic Bible


Parables » Parables of Christ » Tares

Matthew 13:24-30

Another parable he put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. So when the plants sprouted and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. read more.
And the servants of the householder came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then has it weeds?' He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them up?' But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the weeds you also root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers. Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'"

Matthew 13:36-43

Then he left the crowd and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field." He answered, "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, read more.
and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Therefore as the weeds are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil, and will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

Parables » Parables of Christ » Sower

Luke 8:5-15

"A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. Some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. read more.
But others fell on good soil, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold." When he had said this he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" When his disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but to others it is given in parables, so that 'Seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.' "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. And the ones that fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. But the ones that fell on the good soil are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.

Matthew 13:3-23

Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on rocky places, where they did not have much soil, and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of soil. read more.
But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. But other seed fell on good soil and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear." The disciples came and said to him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" And he answered them, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him will more be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah which says: 'Hearing you will hear and shall not understand; and seeing you will see and not perceive. For this people's heart has grown dull. And their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and they understand with their hearts, and turn so that I should heal them.' But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear. For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. "Hear then the parable of the sower: when anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. But he who received the seed on rocky places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. And when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, but the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But the one who received seed on the good soil is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."

Parables » Parables of Christ » Builder of a tower

Luke 14:28-30

For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build, and was not able to finish.'

Parables » Parables of Christ » Lighted candle

Luke 11:33-36

"No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a stand, that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness. Therefore be careful that the light in you is not darkness. read more.
If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light."

Mark 4:21

And he said to them, "Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand?

Parables » Parables of Christ » Strong man armed

Mark 3:27

No one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.

Parables » Parables of Christ » Faithful, and evil servants

Matthew 24:45-51

"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes will find so doing. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. read more.
But if that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,' and he then begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of, and he will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Parables » Parables of Christ » Net cast into the sea

Matthew 13:47-50

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; which, when it was full, they drew it up on the shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous read more.
and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Parables » Parables of Christ » Pearl of great price

Matthew 13:45-46

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

Parables » Parables of Christ » Meats » Not defiling

Matthew 15:10-15

And he called the people to him and said to them, "Hear and understand: not what goes into the mouth defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man." Then the disciples came and said to him, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?" read more.
He answered, "Every plant which my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit." But Peter said to him, "Explain the parable to us."

Parables » Parables of Christ » Unmerciful servant

Matthew 18:23-35

Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the settlement, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And as he was not able to pay, his master ordered that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. read more.
So the servant fell on his knees before him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' The master of that servant took pity on him, released him, and forgave him the debt. But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe.' So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you back.' But he refused, and went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and went and told their master all that had happened. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. So also my heavenly Father will do to each of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."

Parables » Parables of Christ » Wicked husbandmen

Matthew 21:33-45

"Hear another parable: there was a landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vine dressers and went into a far country. When the harvest time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants, to get his fruit. And the tenants took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. read more.
Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did the same to them. Last of all, he sent his son to them saying, 'They will respect my son,' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.' So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons." Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'? "Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. [And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder."] When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them.

Parables » Parables of Christ » Fig-tree leafing

Matthew 24:32-34

"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all these things take place.

Parables » Parables of Christ » Mustard-seed

Matthew 13:31-32

Another parable he put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches."

Parables » Parables of Christ » Two sons

Matthew 21:28-32

"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 John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the harlots believed him; and even when you saw it, you did not afterward repent and believe him.

Parables » Parables of Christ » Talents

Matthew 25:14-30

"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. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

Parables » Parables of Christ » Marriage-feast

Matthew 22:2-14

"The kingdom of heaven is like a king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; but they were not willing to come. Again, he sent out other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding.'" read more.
But they made light of it and went off, one to his own farm, another to his business. And the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the highways, and invite to the marriage feast as many as you find.' And those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. And he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into the outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' For many are called, but few are chosen."

Parables » Parables of Christ » Laborers hired

Matthew 20:1-16

"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, read more.
and to them he said, 'You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went. Again he went out about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, and did the same thing. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, 'Why have you been standing here idle all day?' They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.' And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.' And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. So when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius. 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? 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?' So the last will be first, and the first will be last."

Parables » Parables of Christ » Wise and foolish builders

Matthew 7:24-27

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And every one who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand; read more.
and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell. And great was its fall."

Parables » Parables of Christ » Ten virgins

Matthew 25:1-13

"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; read more.
but the wise took oil in their flasks with their lamps. While the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there was a cry: 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise replied, 'No, there may not be enough for both us and you; go rather to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us!' But he replied, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Therefore keep watch, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Parables » Parables of Christ » Man of the house watching

Matthew 24:43

But know this, that if the owner of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not have let his house be broken into.

Parables » Parables of Christ » Treasure hid in a field

Matthew 13:44

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and then in his joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Parables » Parables of Christ » Rich man and lazarus

Luke 16:19-31

"There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and feasted sumptuously every day. And a certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores, longing to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. read more.
So the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus in his bosom. And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in this flame.' But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus received evil things; but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.' And he said, ' Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come to this place of torment.' Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.'"

Parables » Parables of Christ » King going to war

Luke 14:31-33

Or what king, going to make war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks terms of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not give up all that he has cannot be my disciple.

Parables » Parables of Christ » Good samaritan

Luke 10:30-37

Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him of his clothing, beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. read more.
But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed mercy on him." And Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Parables » Parables of Christ » Cloud and wind

Luke 12:54-57

He also said to the multitudes, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, "A shower is coming'; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, 'There will be hot weather'; and there is. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; but how is it you do not know how to interpret this present time? read more.
"And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?

Parables » Parables of Christ » Savor of salt

Luke 14:34-35

Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its taste, how shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill; men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

Parables » Parables of Christ » Rich fool

Luke 12:16-21

And he told them a parable, saying: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?' And he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. read more.
And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry."' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have prepared?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

Parables » Parables of Christ » Pounds

Luke 19:12-27

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.'"

Parables » Parables of Christ » Man taking a far journey

Mark 13:34-37

It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Watch thereforefor you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. read more.
And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"

Parables » Parables of Christ » Unclean spirit

Matthew 12:43

"When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none.

Parables » Parables of Christ » Prodigal son

Luke 15:11-32

Then he said: "There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.' So he divided his living between them. Not many days after, the younger son gathered together all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. read more.
And when he had spent everything, there arose a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and here I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants."' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion for him, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry. "Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, 'Behold, these many years I have been serving you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.'"

Parables » Parables of Christ » Leaven

Matthew 13:33

He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour till it was all leavened."

Parables » Parables of Christ » New cloth and old garment

Matthew 9:16

No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse.

Parables » Parables of Christ » New wine and old bottles

Matthew 9:17

Neither do they put new wine into old wineskins; if they do, the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and so both are preserved."

Parables » Parables of Christ » Men bidden to a feast

Luke 14:7-11

So he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noted how they chose the places of honor, saying to them: "When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest one more distinguished than you be invited by him; and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. read more.
But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Parables » Parables of Christ » Pharisee and publican

Luke 18:9-14

Also he told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other menextortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. read more.
I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Parables » Parables of Christ » Lost piece of silver

Luke 15:8-10

"Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.' In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Parables » Parables of Christ » Creditor and debtors

Luke 7:41-47

"A certain creditor had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they had nothing with which to pay him back, he freely forgave them both. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon answered, "I suppose the one to whom he forgave more." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly." read more.
Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss my feet from the time I came in. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfume. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little."

Parables » Parables of Christ » Tree and its fruit

Luke 6:43-45

"For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a bramble bush. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good, and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Parables » Parables of Christ » Beam and mote

Luke 6:41-42

And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not notice the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the plank from out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.

Parables » Parables of Christ » Children of the bride-chamber

Parables » Parables of Christ » Seed growing secretly

Mark 4:26-29

And he said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. All by itself the earth produces grainfirst the blade, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. read more.
But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come."

Parables » Parables of Christ » Importunate friend

Luke 11:5-9

And he said to them, "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; and he will answer from within, 'Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything'? read more.
I tell you, though he will not get up and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as much as he needs. So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Parables » Parables of Christ » Importunate widow

Luke 18:1-8

Then he told them a parable, to show that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said: "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor regarded man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' read more.
For a while he refused; but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I neither fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her justice, or she will wear me out by her continual coming.'" And the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you that he will bring about justice for them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

Parables » Parables of Christ » Barren fig-tree

Luke 13:6-9

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.'"

Parables » Parables of Christ » Unjust steward

Luke 16:1-8

He also said to his disciples: "There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. So he called him and said to him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.' The steward said to himself, 'What shall I do, since my master is taking the stewardship away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. read more.
I have decided what to do, so that people may receive me into their houses when I am put out of the stewardship.' So he called in each one of his master's debtors, and he said to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' And he said, 'A hundred measures of oil.' So he said to him, 'Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.' Then he said to another, 'And how much do you owe?' And he said, 'A hundred measures of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, and write eighty.' So the master commended the dishonest steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.

Parables » Parables of Christ » Vine and branches

John 15:1-5

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that bears no fruit he takes away; and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. read more.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from me you can do nothing.

Parables » Parables of Christ » Good shepherd

John 10:1-6

"Truly, truly, I say to you, the man who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs in by some other way, he is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. read more.
When he has brought out all his own, he goes on before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." This figure Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

Parables » Parables of Christ » Lost sheep

Luke 15:3-7

So he told them this parable: "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. read more.
And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Parables » Parables of Christ » Kingdom, divided against itself

Mark 3:24

If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

Parables » Parables of Christ » House, divided against itself

Parables » Parables of Christ » Blind leading the blind

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