How Many Parables are in the Holy Bible? Find Out Here
The word “Parable” derived from Greek Word “Parabole” which means “a throw alongside” or “comparison” . It can be described as a “ring of truth” by explaining a simple idea or story beside a complex or secluded story or idea.
The simple story can be comprehended as mirrors from a complex one. Parables are present in both the Old and New Testaments. The parables of Jesus are an important part of the Bible as Jesus had the intellect to clarify completely the divine truth by relating it to easier routine stories to make it understandable to humanity.
The Bible contains 46 parables that are taught by Jesus to impact and summons perspect of real spectators. It helps people to understand the diverse point of view about himself and the kingdom of God.
List of Parables of Jesus in Bible
| Parables | Detail |
| Salt of the Earth | Matthew: 5:13 Mark: 9:50 |
| Lamp under a Bowl | Matthew: 5:14-16 Mark: 4:21-22 Luke: 8:16 , 11:33 |
| Wise and Foolish Builders | Matthew: 7:24-27 |
| New Cloth on a Old Coat | Matthew: 9:16 Mark: 2:21 Luke: 5:36 |
| New Wine in Old Wineskins | Matthew: 9:17 Mark: 2:22 Luke:5:37-39 |
| The Two Debtors | Luke: 7:40-43 |
| The Sower | Matthew: 13:1-23 Mark: 4:1-20 Luke:8:4-15 |
| The Good Samaritan | Luke:10:25-37 |
| The Friend at Midnight | Luke: 11:5-13 |
| Growing Seed | Mark: 4:26-29 |
| The Rich Fool | Luke: 4:26-29 |
| The Watchful Servants | Mark: 13:35-37 Luke: 12:35-40 |
| Unfruitful Fig Tree | Luke: 13:6-9 |
| The Weeds | Matthew: 13:24-30, 36-4 |
| The Seeds | Matthew: 13:31-32 Mark: 4:26-30 Luke:13:18-19 |
| Yeast | Matthew: 13:33 Luke: 13:20-21 |
| The Pearl | Matthew: 13:45-46 |
| The Concealed Treasure | Matthew: 13:44 |
| The Casting of the Net into Sea | Matthew: 13:47-50 |
| Owner of a House | Matthew: 13:52 |
| The Lost Sheep | Matthew: 18:12-14 Luke: 15:3-7 |
| The Unforgiving Servant | Matthew: 18:23-35 |
| The Vineyard Workers | Matthew: 20:1-16 |
| Lowest Seat at the Feast | Luke: 14:7-14 |
| The Great Feast | Luke: 14:16-24 |
| Cost of Discipleship | Luke: 14:28-33 |
| The Lost Coin | Luke: 15:8-10 |
| The Prodigal Son | Matthew: 15:11-32 Luke: 15:11-32 |
| The Shrewd Manager | Luke: 16:1-13 |
| The Rich Man and Lazarus | Matthew: 16:19-31 Luke: 16:19-31 |
| Master and His Servant | Luke: 17:7-10 |
| Persistent Widow | Luke: 18:1-8 |
| The Two Sons | Matthew: 21:28-32 |
| The Vinyard Owner | Matthew: 21:33-44 Mark: 12:1-11 Luke: 20:9-8 |
| The Marriage Feast | Matthew: 22:1-14 |
| Fig Tree | Matthew: 24:32-35 Mark: 13:28-31 Luke: 21:29-33 |
| Faithful and Wise Servant | Matthew: 24:45-51 Luke: 12:42-48 |
| Ten Virgins | Matthew: 25:1-13 |
| The Pharisee and the Tax Collector | Luke: 18:9-14 |
| The Talent | Matthew: 25:14-30 Luke: 19:11-27 |
| The Sheep and the Goats | Matthew: 25:31-46 |
Several Bible scholars affirm that Jesus parables seems only in three synoptic gospels i.e., Matthew, Luke and Mark. Although, Jesus three-part story regarding gate, sheep and shepherd appeared in John 10 can also be proposed a parable mainly as a chronologically falls in a heap linked to parable of the Lost Sheep in Matthew 18:12-14.
Parables and Common Themes
Parables used by Jesus as a useful teaching tool to convey His devine message to audiance by relating it to daily routine to live according the teachings of God.
Moreover, Parables used by Jeus contains themes like love, prayer, forgiveness, absolution and kingdom of God. These themes are appears in parables are illustrated as:
- Love: In the parable of “Good Samaritan” Jesus describe the idea of love to others, focusing the significan of generosity and supervision for others.
- Forgiveness: Parable of “Prodigal Son” exhibit the theme of forgiveness, skating the absolute love and kindness of God towards those who regret.
- Redemption: The parable of the “Lost Sheep” demonstrate God’s resolute love and wish to know and conserve those who are stary, highlighting the theme of redemption.
- Prayer: In the Parables “Persistant Widow” Jesus gave lesson about the importance of determination of prayers and faith that should escort it.
- Kingdom of God: Parable of “Mustrad Seed” preach the message of God’s kindness and generosity alongside spearding it allover the world.
There are amny parables having common themes alongside the exhibiting the spiritual growth and strenthening the relation with God in their routine live are listed below;
| Parables | Common Themes |
| Prodigal Son | Forgiveness and Redemption |
| Sower | Understanding God’s Words |
| Good Samaritan | Love and Compassion |
| Talents | Responsibilty and Stewardship |
| Mustard Seed | Growth of God’s Kingdom |
These parabes alongside themes provide guidance about the teaching of Jesus and spiritual journey of the individuals.
Importance of Parables in Bible
Parables are important teaching tool to convey the message of Jesus-storyteller by relating the stories and characters to preach the complex spiritual truth.
It is also significant as parables are easy to remember than other ambiguous teachings.
Factors Influencing the Count of Parables
Many Scholars can’t agree on the numbers of parables having multiple factors including;
- Definition of Parable: parable contains different definitions that leads to different count such as constitute of parable, short story moral or longer narrative.
- Authenticity of Gospel Account: Jesus teachings contain reliable gospel count or it contains all His lessons or having selected parables.
- Classification of Parables: Number of parables is influenced by the count as some scholars classify similar parables in one group while others count them separately.
- Written Record Vs Oral Tradition: there are “lost”parables as Juses illustrated so many parables that are not wrotten down.
According to these complexion. It is not necessary to remind the numbers of parables than the significance of the lesson taught by these parables.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Bible containing the parables of Jesus play significant role in the all aspect of life by their valuable lessons like love, kindness, faith interlinking with their beliefs and acts.
By studying and praying these parables, one can gain knowledge about the kingdom of God and its affect on life or living according to His teaching. Parables are inception of enlightenment and inspiration as individuals are encouraged to straighten their activities and usefulness by love, compassion and forgiveness.
