Session 11& 12

PARABLES OF JESUS & JESUS’ MIRACLES

Parable = definition:

Greek word means “to put things side by side”.

A comparison in story form

A method of teaching in which the teacher uses familiar

concepts or ideas to illustrate the unfamiliar concepts in

terms (like picture stories) the learner understands.

Purpose of using parables:

▪ expressing faith in “concrete” terms

▪startling, provoking, and producing a response in His hearers

▪ challenging His hearers’ previous understandings and

explanations … one dimension was incomplete & unsatisfactory

▪ directing His hearers’ thinking and actions into a whole new

realm

How to Interpret Parables

Do not overemphasize individual details within a parable.

Determine whether Christ himself supplied the meaning of

a parable.

Avoid using parables as the foundation and source of

doctrine.

Use the truth in a parable in its proper context.

Visual 4

Parables by the Numbers

Of 47 parables, 12 are unique to Matthew, 2 to Mark, and 18 to Luke.

Seven parables appear in both Matthew and Luke. (Parables of the Lamp,

the Two Builders, the Evil Spirit That Returned, the Yeast, the Lost Sheep, the

Master and the Thief, and the Faithful and Evil Servants).

Eight parables appear in all three Synoptic Gospels. (Parables of the

Bridegroom’s Guests, the Patch on an Old Garment, New Wine in Old

Wineskins, the Sower, the Mustard Seed, the Tenants, the Rejected Stone,

and the Sprouting Fig Tree).

Luke records the most parables (about 33); Matthew is second (27); and

Mark records the least (10).

The greater number of parables in Matthew and Luke correlates with the

greater emphasis on teaching in these Gospels.

Visual 5

How did Jesus’ parables change as His ministry got closer

to the cross?

Jesus’ earliest parables spoke of a new system that was

coming to replace the old. Then He focused on requirements

for entering the Kingdom. As opposition arose and the end

approached, He stressed the future aspects of the Kingdom.

He made it clear that the Kingdom would be given to others

because the Jews had rejected it.

Jesus explained why He used parables:

“The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to

you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an

abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from

him. This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not

see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand’” (Matthew 13:10–

13).

The response and understanding of Jesus’ listeners were clear signals as

to their heart conditions and level of commitment to Jesus and the

Kingdom. To those who were on the outside, the stories were meaningless.

But to those who followed Jesus and accepted His truths, the parables

provided important teaching.

Worksheet 14 with Answers

Kingdom of God [K]; Salvation [S]; Discipleship [D]; Future Events [F]. Some parables

may have more than one answer.

D The Two Builders Matthew 7:24–27; Luke 6:46–49

K, D, F The Guests of the Bridegroom Matthew 9:14–15; Mark 2:19–20; Luke 5:34–35

K The Patch on an Old Garment, New Wine in Old wineskins Matthew 9:16–17; Mark

2:21–22; Luke 5:36–39

K, F The Weeds Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43

D The Hidden Treasure, The Pearl Matthew 13:44–46

F The Net Matthew 13:47–50

D The House Owner Matthew 13:52

D The Growing Seed Mark 4:26–29

S The Two Debtors Luke 7:41–43

D The Lamp Matthew 6:22–23; Luke 11:34–36

D The Evil Spirit Matthew 12:43–45; Luke 11:24–26

K The Yeast Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:20–21

S, D The Sower Matthew 13:3–9, 18–23; Mark 4:3–9, 13–20; Luke 8:4–8

K The Mustard Seed Matthew 13:31–32; Mark 4:30–32; Luke 13:18–19

S The Unmerciful Servant Matthew 18:23–35

S The Lost Sheep Matthew 18:12–14; Luke 15:3–7

S Workers in the Vineyard Matthew 20:1–16

D The Two Sons Matthew 21:28–32

K, F The Wedding Banquet Matthew 22:1–14

D, F The Ten Virgins Matthew 25:1–13

D, F The Talents Matthew 25:14–30

F The Sheep and the Goats Matthew 25:31–46

F The House Owner and His Servants Mark 13:34–37

D The Good Samaritan Luke 10:30–37

D The Friend at Midnight Luke 11:5–8

F The Rich Fool Luke 12:13–21

F The Waiting and Watching Servants Luke 12:35–38

D The Barren Fig Tree Luke 13:6–9

D The Chief Seats Luke 14:7–11

K, F The Great Banquet Luke 14:16–24

D The Unfinished Tower Luke 14:28–30

D The Unwaged War Luke 14:31–32

S The Lost Coin, The Lost Son Luke 15:8–32

D The Shrewd Manager Luke 16:1–13

F The Rich Man and Lazarus Luke 16:19–31

D The Unprofitable Servants Luke 17:7–10

D The Persistent Widow Luke 18:1–8

S The Pharisee and the Tax Collector Luke 18:9–14

F The Master and the Thief F The Faithful and Wicked Servants

F The Sprouting Fig Tree Matthew 24:43–44; Luke 12:39–40; Matthew 24:45–51;

Luke 12:42–46 Matthew 24:32–35; Mark 13:28–31; Luke 21:29–33

Group Work:

Pick a partner (one on one)

Together choose 3 parables Jesus told and agree on the main

lesson in that parable

Choose one –you will share with class