New Testament parables are among the most popular teachings of Jesus. Young and old alike laud them for their practical insights, simple language, and short, wise faith building teachings. In this column, we’re going to look at the New Testament parables: where they are from, why they’re important, and what the essential New Testament parables have to tell us about our spiritual lives.
What are parables?
Parables are stories, given through prose or verse, that have a few specific characteristics:
- Succinct (they are short, detailed stories)
- Didactic (their purpose is to teach or instruct about something specific)
- Human characters (fables might use animals, plants, or inanimate objects as the focus)
- Metaphorical analogies (they use one thing to illustrate something else)
The word “parable” literally means “to throw alongside,” meaning it is a comparison or illustration to something else. The literary form of short, fictional narratives was coined by Greek rhetorics. Characters in parables face moral dilemmas or decisions. Sometimes they contain contrasts (as in two choices made by two people or the wrestling with consequences) or are without contrast (shows the result or decision or action). Within the subtext of a parable, we find the way someone should believe or how to respond to beliefs.
Inspiration for New Testament parables
The New Testament world had a few inspirations, but the two major ones were Jewish and Greek culture. Parables are Greek in form, but Biblical parables were likely also inspired by the Jewish version of parables. This literary designation (broader than the Greek understanding) is known as mashalim. A mashal (singular form) is a short proverb or story with a moral lesson or religious allegory. Mashalim cover parables, fables, proverbs, and riddles. They are used to this very day to help people understand Torah, or law, and the essence of it in their lives. If we study the Old Testament, we see six major symbolic stories and four proverbs related to Babylon, all of which are considered mashalim.
Through the ages, proverbs and parallels were based on specific illustrations common at the time, making them easy to understand and follow. Their practical nature and purpose make it easy to teach spiritual things in a simple manner. The most famous parables, however, are the parables of Jesus, found in the New Testament.
Why parables?
Why did Jesus use parables? I think we can start with the fact that Jesus knew people don’t have the longest attention span. Some points need to be made quickly. In situations where Jesus spoke parables, He often dealt with crowds and disciples learning as they went. While yes, Jesus did talk longer at times than others (often to individuals or with His disciples), not every message needed to be long or involved.
Along with this, Jesus needed to separate those who were serious about following Him from those who weren’t. His time on earth was limited, and He didn’t have long time to spend with uninterested people. While everyone had the same chance to receive, He didn’t have the time to sit there and lecture them on where they were in error.
This was an important point in parables. Many of us assume Jesus used them because everyone would be able to understand them. Scripture tells us otherwise:
He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that,
“‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,
and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’” (Mark 4:11-12, NIV)
I think the point of parables is that they were so obvious, that if you didn’t get it, you really didn’t get it!
Spontaneous instruction
Parables make it easy to discuss very difficult or complex ideas. By using them, Jesus proved He could “teach on His feet,” often with little-to-know preparation. Using them frequently in response to a question or argument He overheard (usually of opposing views), parables got to the heart of each issue quickly. They make for great discussion, to clarify issues that are otherwise complex.
The headings of New Testament parables
Most Bible parables contain essential themes. If we recognize these specific themes, the largest body of Jesus’ parables relate to eschatology, or things that happen either in the afterlife or after Christ’s second coming. The Kingdom of Heaven is the second most common theme, tied with parables that don’t have a specific heading. There are three each on love and forgiveness, loss and redemption, and prayer. In totality, there are 30 parables across the Gospels.
Eschatology parables
These parables remind us of the need to be watchful and aware, prepared for Christ’s coming at any time. They also remind us of the need to heeding the call when Christ comes, avoid greed, and remembering the importance to receive Christ for ourselves. Judgment comes, and we need to be aware that such is an inevitable reality, no matter how long it takes.
- Parable of the Tares (Matthew 13:24-30)
- Parable of Drawing in the Net (Matthew 13:47-52)
- Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen (Matthew 21:33-46, Mark 12:1-2, and Luke 20:9-19)
- Parable of the Budding Fig Tree (Matthew 24:32-35, Mark 13:28-31, and Luke 21:29-33)
- Parable of the Faithful Servant (Matthew 24:42-51, Mark 13:34-37, Luke 12:35-48)
- Parable of the Great Banquet/Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1-4 and Luke 14:15-24)
- Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)
- Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21)
- Parable of the Barren Fig Tree (Luke 13:6-9)
Kingdom of God/Heaven parables
These special parables remind us of the imminence and reality of God’s Kingdom. In many ways, they use common, everyday items familiar to those in agrarian societies. Their important themes are those of hearing, seeking, growing, and recognizing the value of God’s Kingdom.
- Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:4-15)
- Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32, Mark 4:30-32, and Luke 13:18-19)
- Parable of the Leaven (Matthew 13:33 and Luke 13:20-21)
- Parable of the Hidden Treasure (Matthew 13:44)
- Parable of the Pearl (Matthew 13:45-46)
- Parable of Growing Seed (Mark 4:26-29)
Loss and redemption parables (the redemption trilogy)
Loss and redemption parables present the same themes of losing, searching, finding, and rejoicing, with different characters and illustrations.
- Parable of the Lost Sheep (Matthew 18:12-14, Luke 15:3-7)
- Parable of the Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10)
- Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)
Love and forgiveness parables
Love and forgiveness parables express ideas about genuine love and forgiveness – both God toward us and us toward others.
- Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:21-35)
- Parable of the Two Debtors (Luke 7:36-50)
- Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
Prayer parables
Prayer parables focus on persistence in prayer as well as humility before God.
- Parable of the Friend at Night (Luke 11:5-8)
- Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8)
- Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican (Luke 18:9-14)
Other parables
Some parables don’t fit a specific theme. These include:
- Parable of the Lamp Under a Bushel (Matthew 5:14-15, Mark 4:21-25, and Luke 8:16-18)
- Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders (Matthew 7:24-27, Luke 6:46-49)
- Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16)
- Parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-13)
- Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)
- Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30, Luke 19:11-27)
Final thoughts
Parables offer us rich insight into our faith. They make a great and practical study, especially when one doesn’t have a long time to devote to research. They help us see our faith with new eyes and expound on complex ideas in a way we can understand. What’s your favorite of Jesus’ parables, and why is it your favorite?
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