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Parables | Dictionary definition

• Matthew 13 – The Parable about a Sower, The Purpose of the Parables, Jesus Explains the Parable about the Sower, The Parable about the Weeds among the Wheat, The Parables about a Mustard Seed and Yeast, Why Jesus Used Parables, Jesus Explains the Parable about the Weeds, The Parable about a Hidden Treasure, The Parable about a Net, New and Old Treasures, Jesus is Rejected at Nazareth, …

• Matthew 18 – The Parable about The Faithful Shepherd, The Parable about an Unforgiving Servant, …

• Matthew 21 – The Parable about Two Sons, The Parable about the Tenant Farmers, …

• Matthew 22 – The Parable about a Banquet

• Matthew 25 – The Parable about the Ten Bridesmaids, The Parable about the Talents, The Judgment of the Nations – The Sheep and the Goats, …

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Matthew 13 – International Standard Version

The Parable about a Sower
(Mark 4:1-9; Luke 8:4-18)

1That day Jesus left the house and sat down beside the sea. 2Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, while the entire crowd stood on the shore. 3Then he began to tell them many things in parables. He said, “Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4As he was sowing, some seeds fell along the path, and birds came and ate them up. 5Other seeds fell on stony ground, where they did not have a lot of soil. They sprouted at once because the soil wasn’t deep. 6But when the sun came up, they were scorched. Since they did not have any roots, they dried up. 7Other seeds fell among thorn bushes, and the thorn bushes grew higher and choked them out. 8But other seeds fell on good soil and produced a crop, some 100, some 60, and some 30 times what was sown.[a] 9Let the person who has ears[b] listen!”8

The Purpose of the Parables
(Mark 4:10-12; Luke 8:9-10)

10Then the disciples came and asked Jesus,[c] “Why do you speak to people[d] in parables?”

11He answered them, “You have been given knowledge about the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but it hasn’t been given to them, 12because to anyone who has something, more will be given, and he will have more than enough. But from the one who doesn’t have anything, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13That’s why I speak to them in parables, because

‘they look but don’t see,

and they listen but don’t hear or understand.’

14“With them the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says:

‘You will listen and listen but never understand.

You will look and look but never comprehend,

15 for this people’s heart has become dull,

and their ears are hard of hearing.[e]

They have shut their eyes

so that they might not see with their eyes,

and hear with their ears,

and understand with their heart and turn,

and I would heal them.’[f]

16“How blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear! 17I tell you with certainty, many prophets and righteous people longed to see the things you see but did not see them, and to hear the things you hear but did not hear them.”

Jesus Explains the Parable about the Sower
(Mark 4:13-20; Luke 8:11-15)

18“Listen, then, to the parable about the sower. 19When anyone hears the word about the kingdom yet doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20As for what was sown on the stony ground, this is the person who hears the word and accepts it joyfully at once, 21but since he doesn’t have any root in himself, he lasts for only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes along because of the word, he immediately falls away. 22As for what was sown among the thorn bushes, this is the person who hears the word, but the worries of life and the deceitful pleasures of wealth choke the word so that it can’t produce a crop. 23But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the person who hears the word, understands it, and produces a crop that yields 100, 60, or 30 times what was sown.”[g]

The Parable about the Weeds among the Wheat

24He presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25While people were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. 26When the crop came up and bore grain, the weeds appeared, too. 27The owner’s servants came and asked him, ‘Master, you sowed good seed in your field, didn’t you? Then where did these weeds come from?’ 28He told them, ‘An enemy did this!’ The servants asked him, ‘Then do you want us to go and pull them out?’ 29He said, ‘No! If you pull out the weeds, you might pull out the wheat with them. 30Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and tie them in bundles for burning, but bring the wheat into my barn.”’”

The Parables about a Mustard Seed and Yeast
(Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-21)

31He presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in his field. 32Although it is the smallest of[h] all seeds, when it is fully grown it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, and the birds in the sky come and nest in its branches.”

33He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with[i] three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”

Why Jesus Used Parables
(Mark 4:33-34)

34Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables. He did not tell them anything without using[j] a parable. 35This was to fulfill what was declared by the prophet[k] when he said,

“I will open my mouth to speak[l] in parables.

I will declare what has been hidden

since the creation of the world.”[m]

Jesus Explains the Parable about the Weeds

36Then Jesus[n] left the crowds and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable about the weeds in the field.”

37He answered, “The person who sowed good seed is the Son of Man, 38while the field is the world. The good seed are those who belong to[o] the kingdom, while the weeds are those who belong to[p] the evil one. 39The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. 40Just as weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so it will be at end of the[q] age. 41The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather from his kingdom everything that causes others to sin and those who practice lawlessness 42and they will throw them into a blazing furnace. In that place there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.[r] 43Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s kingdom. Let the person who has ears[s] listen!”

The Parable about a Hidden Treasure

44“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field that a man found and hid. In his excitement he went and sold everything he had and bought that field.”

The Parable about a Valuable Pearl

45“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. 46When he found a very valuable pearl, he went and sold everything he had and bought it.”

The Parable about a Net

47“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a large net thrown into the sea that gathered all kinds of fish. 48When it was full, the fishermen[t] hauled it ashore. Then they sat down, sorted the good fish into containers, and threw the bad ones away. 49That is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out, cull out the evil people from among the righteous ones, 50and will throw them into a blazing furnace. In that place there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”[u]

New and Old Treasures

51“Do you understand all these things?”

They said to him, “Yes.”

52Then he told them, “That is why every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings both new and old things out of his treasure chest.”

Jesus is Rejected at Nazareth
(Mark 6:1-6; Luke 4:16-30)

53When Jesus had finished these parables, he left that place. 54He went to his hometown and began teaching the people[v] in their synagogue in such a way that they were amazed and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miracles? 55This is the builder’s[w] son, isn’t it? His mother is named Mary, isn’t she? His brothers are James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas, aren’t they? 56And his sisters are all with us, aren’t they? So where did this man get all these things?” 57And they were offended by him.

But Jesus told them, “A prophet is without honor only in his hometown and in his own home.” 58He did not perform many miracles there because of their unbelief.13

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Matthew 18 – International Standard Version

The Parable about The Faithful Shepherd
(Luke 15:1-7)

12“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them strays, he leaves the ninety-nine in the hills and goes to look for the one that has strayed, doesn’t he? 13If he finds it, I tell you with certainty that he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that haven’t strayed. 14In the same way, it is not the will of your[d] Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.”13

The Parable about an Unforgiving Servant

21Then Peter came up and asked him, “Lord, how many times may my brother sin against me and I have to forgive him? Seven times?”

22Jesus said to him, “I tell you, not just seven times, but 77 times![l] 23“That is why the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24When he had begun to settle the accounts, a person who owed him 10,000 talents[m] was brought to him. 25Because he couldn’t pay, his master ordered him, his wife, his children, and everything that he owned to be sold so that payment could be made. 26Then the servant fell down and bowed low before him, saying, ‘Be patient[n] with me, and I will repay you everything!’ 27The master of that servant had compassion and released him, canceling his debt.

28“But when that servant went away, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii.[o] He grabbed him, seized him by the throat, and said, ‘Pay what you owe!’ 29Then his fellow servant fell down and began begging him, ‘Be patient with me and I will repay you!’ 30But he refused and went and had him thrown into prison until he could repay the debt.

31“When his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were very disturbed and went and reported to their master everything that had occurred. 32Then his master sent for him and said to him, ‘You evil servant! I canceled that entire debt for you because you begged me. 33Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ 34In anger his master handed him over to the torturers[p] until he could repay the entire debt. 35This is how my heavenly Father will treat each one of you unless you forgive your brother from your hearts.”

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Matthew 21 – International Standard Version

The Parable about Two Sons

28“But what do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29His son[p] replied, ‘I don’t want to,’ but later he changed his mind and went. 30Then the father[q] went to the other son[r] and told him the same thing. He replied, ‘I will,[s] sir,’ but he didn’t go. 31Which of the two did the father’s will?”

They answered, “The first one.”

Jesus said to them, “I tell you with certainty, tax collectors and prostitutes will get into God’s kingdom ahead of you! 32John came to you living a righteous life,[t] and you didn’t believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. But even when you saw that, you didn’t change your minds[u] at last and believe him.”

The Parable about the Tenant Farmers
(Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-19)

33“Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a wall around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and went abroad. 34When harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenant farmers to collect his produce. 35But the farmers took his servants and beat one, killed another, and attacked another with stones. 36Again, he sent other servants to them, a greater number than the first, but the tenant farmers[v] treated them the same way. 37Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38But when the tenant farmers saw his son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come on, let’s kill him and get his inheritance!’ 39So they grabbed him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 40Now when the owner of the vineyard returns, what will he do to those farmers?”3721

41They said to him, “He will put those horrible men to a horrible death. Then he will lease the vineyard to other farmers who will give him his produce at harvest time.”

42Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures,

‘The stone that the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone.[w]

This was the Lord’s doing,

and it is amazing in our eyes.’?[x]

43That is why I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce fruit for it. 44The person who falls over this stone will be broken to pieces, but it will crush anyone on whom it falls.”[y]

45When the high priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they knew that he was talking about them. 46Although they wanted to arrest him, they were afraid of the crowds, who considered Jesus[z] to be a prophet.

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Matthew 22 – International Standard Version

The Parable about a Banquet
(Luke 14:15-24)

1Again Jesus spoke to them in parables. He said, 2“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. 3He sent his servants to call those who had been invited to the wedding, but they refused to come. 4So[a] he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited, “Look, I’ve prepared my dinner. My oxen and fattened calves have been slaughtered. Everything is ready. Come to the wedding!”’ 5But they paid no attention to this and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. 6The rest grabbed the king’s[b] servants, treated them brutally, and then killed them. 7Then the king became outraged. He sent his troops, and they destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

8“Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 9So go into the roads leading out of town and invite as many people as you can find to the wedding.’ 10Those servants went out into the streets and brought in everyone they found, evil and good alike, and the wedding hall was packed with guests.

11“When the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12He asked him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ But the man[c] was speechless. 13Then the king told his servants, ‘Tie his hands and feet, and throw him into the outer darkness!’ In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth,[d] 14because many are invited, but few are chosen.”

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Matthew 25 – International Standard Version

The Parable about the Ten Bridesmaids

1“At that time, the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten bridesmaids[a] who took their oil lamps and went out to meet the groom.[b] 2Now five of them were foolish, and five were wise, 3because when the foolish ones took their lamps, they didn’t take any oil with them. 4But the wise ones took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5Since the groom was late, all of them became sleepy and lay down.

6“But at midnight there came a shout: ‘The groom is here! Come out to meet him!’ 7Then all the bridesmaids[c] woke up and got their lamps ready. 8But the foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out!’ 9But the wise ones replied, ‘No! There will never be enough for us and for you. You’d better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’

10“While they were away buying it, the groom arrived. Those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet, and the door was closed. 11Later the other bridesmaids[d] arrived and said, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us!’ 12But he replied, ‘I tell you with certainty, I don’t know you!’ 13So keep on watching, because you don’t know the day or the hour.”[e]

The Parable about the Talents

14“Similarly, it is like a man going on a trip who called his servants and turned his money over to them. 15To one man he gave five talents,[f] to another two, and to another one, based on their ability. Then he went on his trip.

16“The one who received five talents went out at once and invested them and earned five more. 17In the same way, the one who had two talents earned two more. 18But the one who received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and buried his master’s money.

19“After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20The one who had received five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I’ve earned five more talents.’ 21His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy servant! Since you have been trustworthy with a small amount, I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and share your master’s joy!’

22“The one with two talents also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I’ve earned two more talents.’ 23His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy servant! Since you have been trustworthy with a small amount, I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and share your master’s joy!’

24“Then the one who had received one talent came forward and said, ‘Master, I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you haven’t planted and gathering where you haven’t scattered any seed. 25Being afraid, I went off and hid your talent in the ground. Here, take what is yours!’

26“His master answered him, ‘You evil and lazy servant! So you knew that I harvested where I haven’t planted and gathered where I haven’t scattered any seed? 27Then you should have invested my money with the bankers. When I returned, I would have received my money back with interest.’ 28Then the master said,[g] ‘Take the talent from him and give it to the man who has the ten talents, 29because to everyone who has something, more will be given, and he will have more than enough. But from the person who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away from him. 30Throw this useless servant into the outer darkness! In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”[h]

The Judgment of the Nations – The Sheep and the Goats

31“When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels are with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32All the nations will be assembled in front of him, and he will cull them out, one from another, like a shepherd separates sheep from goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right but the goats on his left.

34“Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who have been blessed by my Father! Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, 35because I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you welcomed me. 36I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you took care of me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

37“Then the righteous will say to him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you something to eat, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you as a stranger and welcome you, or see you naked and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

40The king will answer them, ‘I tell you with certainty, since you did it for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.’

41“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Get away from me, you who are accursed, into the eternal fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels! 42Here’s why: I was hungry, and you gave me nothing to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink. 43I was a stranger, and you didn’t welcome me. I was naked, and you didn’t clothe me. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’25

44“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or as a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and didn’t help you?’

45Then he will say to them, ‘I tell you with certainty, since you didn’t do it for one of the least important of these, you didn’t do it for me.’ 46These people will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go[i] into eternal life.”