What is the meaning of the Parables
The Parables of Jesus Christ are some of the most well-known and well-loved passages in the Bible. This resource page of The Parables of Jesus Explained is designed to help you bring Jesus’ messages into your heart and life. Each parable has a meaning that had context at the time Jesus spoke them, but they still apply to life today. Our List of Parables and Their Meaning downloadable pdf is a free printable resource you can use to get a good overview of the meaning of the parables.
The Parables of Jesus Christ are some of the most well-known and well-loved passages in the Bible. This resource page of The Parables of Jesus Explained is designed to help you bring Jesus’ messages into your heart and life.
What is a Parable?
Oxford Dictionary defines a parable as a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, as told by Jesus in the Gospels. The parables describe ordinary circumstances and situations that people can understand easily, but their moral lessons teach us how to live as faithful Christians, as God intended.
Jesus used parables to teach the people about God’s Kingdom and the way to salvation. At first, the stories (parables) he tells may not seem to have anything to do with God or salvation.
Why did Jesus speak in parables?
The disciples asked Jesus why he spoke in parables in Matthew 13:10. His short answer is in Matthew 13:13 NIV. The whole conversation is: Matthew 13:10-17.
This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
The people weren’t open to God’s message and most were skeptical of Jesus. His messages were unpopular because they challenged people to change in ways they didn’t want to. Jesus chose to teach using parables because it was simpler for people to understand stories about familiar situations than about the abstract afterlife and judgment of God. Even so, the meaning of the parables could be difficult to grasp. To help you extract the most value, each parable is broken down into life lessons below.
Are parables still relevant today?
Sometimes we can’t see how the parables are relevant to us today. But be assured that every parable applies and speaks to each of us today. They provide directions to help us navigate the journey to eternal salvation. God’s expectations never change and the journey to reach Him never changes.
I pray you will take the time to learn more about the spiritual meaning and lessons in the parables that Jesus spoke for your benefit so long ago. He’s inviting you to walk down the path to salvation. Will you accept his invitation?
What do the parables teach us?
Each parable teaches us about living a life that’s pleasing to God. Typically each parable includes several takeaways that apply to all of us. In the following articles, we offer ways in which the message and meaning in the parables can help keep you on the path to eternal life with Jesus.
List of parables and their meaning – pdf
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Use our parable lessons below to learn how to apply the parables to your life. Our lessons add more depth and context to the meaning of the parables.
Parable Lessons for Children
Our parable explanations have been used effectively as the basis for children’s parable lessons. I invite you to use the concepts to design your lessons according to the understanding of your children.
I’d also love to hear what tools or resources would make this easier for you. I’ve created comprehensive Parable of the Mustard Seed Bundle for Youth and Parable of the Prodigal Son Youth Bundles that include a lesson, coloring pages, and other activities. Lessons and activities for other parables are underway. Check out the current packages and let me know what you think!
Lessons from the Parables of Jesus Christ
- Parable of the Net Life Lessons
The Parable of the Net is included in one Gospel in the New Testament, in the Book of Matthew 13:47-50. Sometimes this parable is referred to as the Parable of the Fishing Net or the Parable of the Net Cast … - Parable of the Wedding Feast Life LessonsThe Parable of the Wedding Feast is also known as the Parable of the Wedding Banquet. This parable of Jesus is found in one Gospel in the New Testament of the Bible, the Book of Matthew 22:1-14. Parable of the …
- Parable of the Unforgiving Servant Life LessonsThe Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Parable of the Unmerciful Servant) The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant is also known as the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant and is included in one Gospel in the Bible, Matthew 18: 21-35. This …
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- Parable of the Yeast Life Lessons for TodayThe Parable of the Yeast (Parable of the Leaven) The Parable of the Yeast is also known as the Parable of the Leaven and is included in two Gospels in the Bible. The Books of Luke (Luke 13 20-21) and …
- Parable of the Shrewd Manager Life Lessons For TodayThe Parable of the Unjust Steward The Parable of the Shrewd Manager is included in one of the four Gospels in the New Testament. It is in Luke 16:1-13 NIV and it would be worthwhile to read through the parable …
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- The Parable of the Great Banquet LessonsThe Parable of the Great Banquet The Parable of the Great Banquet is included in one of the four Gospels in the New Testament. It is in Luke 14:15-24 NIV. The Parable of the Great Banquet is also known as …
- The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value LessonsThe Parable of the Pearl The Parable of the Pearl is sometimes referred to as the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price or The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value. At only two sentences and two verses, it’s …
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- Lessons from the Parable of the Pharisee and Tax CollectorParable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector is sometimes referred to as the Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican (an ancient Roman term for tax collector). This parable is …
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- The Parable of the Persistent Widow
Parable of the Persistent Widow and Unjust Judge The Parable of the Persistent Widow is sometimes referred to as the Parable of the Unjust Judge. This parable is found in the New Testament of the Bible, in the book of … - The Parable of the Weeds – 4 Sobering Life LessonsParable of the Weeds Among the Wheat Summary The summary of the Parable of the Weeds Among the Wheat is a description of the Kingdom of God. In the parable, a man planted good seed in his field, but his …
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- The Parable of Two Sons – 3 Spiritual Life LessonsThe Parable of the Two Sons is included in the New Testament of the Bible in the Gospel of Matthew 21:28-32. This Parable of the Two Sons is sometimes referred to as the Parable of the Obedient and Disobedient Sons, …
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- Parable of the Lost Coin Spiritual LessonsParable of the Lost Coin Summary The Parable of the Lost Coin is found in the Bible in the Book of Luke 15:8-10. In it, a woman loses one of ten silver coins and keeps searching until she finds the …
- Lessons about God from the Parable of the Vineyard Workers
The parables of Jesus teach us valuable life lessons, but some can be confusing. In the case of the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, the vineyard owner seems to treat his best workers unfairly. As humans, we want …Lessons about God from the Parable of the Vineyard Workers Read More »
- 3 Life Lessons from the Parable of the Rich Fool
The title of the Parable of the Rich Fool might make many people assume the parable doesn’t apply to them if they aren’t millionaires or independently wealthy. But the Parable of the Rich Fool meaning has a lot to do …3 Life Lessons from the Parable of the Rich Fool Read More »
- 4 Moral Lessons from The Parable of the Ten Virgins
The Parable of the Ten Virgins is based upon Jewish marriage customs at the time the parable was written. The parable is filled with Christian symbolism and is a cautionary story about being prepared for Christ’s coming. The parable is …4 Moral Lessons from The Parable of the Ten Virgins Read More »
- Which soil are you like? The Parable of the Sower explained
Parable of the Sower Explained When Jesus spoke in parables, they were sometimes confusing and difficult to put into relatable terms. However, in the case of the Parable of the Sower, Jesus actually explained the meaning in the Gospels, so …Which soil are you like? The Parable of the Sower explained Read More »
- 5 Love Lessons from the Parable of the Good Samaritan
The Good Samaritan is a popular and powerful parable that teaches the foundation of what it means to live a Christian life. But do we keep the spirit of the Good Samaritan message alive in our daily lives? Do we …5 Love Lessons from the Parable of the Good Samaritan Read More »
- 3 Ways the Parable of the Lost Sheep Shows How Much Jesus Loves Us
The Parable of the Lost Sheep in the Bible is included in the Gospels of Matthew 18:11-13 and Luke 15:1-7. You can find the actual parables at the end of this page, but the Parable of the Lost Sheep summary …3 Ways the Parable of the Lost Sheep Shows How Much Jesus Loves Us Read More »
- The Parable of the Talents Teaches Us 5 Life Lessons
The Parable of the Talents might seem confusing at first, but it contains poignant life lessons for every Christian. In The Parable of the Talents, a rich man gives his servants coins (or the equivalent in gold, depending on which …The Parable of the Talents Teaches Us 5 Life Lessons Read More »
- 4 Lessons from the Parable of the Hidden Treasure
The parables of Jesus are beautiful lessons for Christians, but sometimes their meaning might be hard to understand. One example is the Parable of the Hidden Treasure. What is the meaning of hidden treasure? The Parable of the Hidden Treasure …4 Lessons from the Parable of the Hidden Treasure Read More »
- 3 Lessons The Prodigal Son Parable Can Teach You About Life
The Parable of the Prodigal Son is one of the well-known parables of Jesus and teaches us life lessons for a beautiful Christian journey. The points below are also summarized in our Prodigal Son Printable Pocket Booklet and Coloring Booklet …3 Lessons The Prodigal Son Parable Can Teach You About Life Read More »
- 6 Lessons from Mustard Seed Faith
Grow Your Mustard Seed Faith Whether you’re a gardener or not, you’ve probably planted seeds at some point in your life. It’s fascinating to see the first tender sprouts poke through the soil and reach for the sun. The daily …
If you love the parables
If you love the parables, you may be interested in our printable products. We have a growing catalog of adult devotionals, foldable pocket booklets, coloring foldable pocket booklets, and wall prints. For children, we have lesson plans, coloring pages for various ages, wall prints, reflection/journal pages, activity pages, and games. Below is the Mustard Seed Youth Bundle, one of our best values!
