Parables and Parabolic Images in the Gospels by Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D. What is a "Parable"? Definition: "At its simplest a parable is a metaphor or simile drawn from nature or common life, arresting the hearer by its vividness or strangeness, and leaving the mind in sufficient doubt about its precise application to tease it into active thought." (C. H. Dodd, The Parables of the Kingdom, New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1961, p. 5) Implications of this definition: The meaning of most parables is not so obvious, or at least it shouldn't be. If we assume we know what Jesus is talking about, we are probably missing the main point; if we are too familiar with the story (having heard it so often before), we might not think carefully enough about its real meaning. Most parables contain some element that is strange or unusual. They should cause you to say, "Wait a minute! That's not how farmers do their work! That's not what kings usually do! That's not what normally happens in nature!" And this strange element should cause you to think! Parables do not define things precisely, but rather use comparisons to describe some aspect of how God acts or interacts with human beings. Yet to say "A is like B" does not mean that "A is identical to B in all respects"; so one should be careful not to misinterpret or misapply the parables. "Parables"; by James C. Christensen; from Swoyer's Fine Art & Collectibles The Purpose of the Parables? We might think that Jesus spoke in parables to make it easier for people to understand his message. According to the Gospels, however, he surprisingly does NOT expect everyone to understand them! This is clearly expressed in Matthew 13:1017:
10 Then the disciples came and asked him, "Why do you speak to them [the crowds] in parables?" 11 He answered, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 13 The reason I speak to them in parables is that 'seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.' (cf. Isa 6:910) 14 With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says: 'You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive. 15 For this people's heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turnand I would heal them.' 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it. In Matthew, at least the disciples of Jesus understand the parables; but in Mark, even they have a hard time understanding, despite receiving extra instructions in private! "Have you understood all this?" They [the disciples] answered, "Yes." (Matt 13:51) And he said to them [the disciples], "Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables?" (Mark 4:13) With many such parables he spoke the word to them [the crowds], as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples. (Mark 4:3334). Biblical Terminology: The Greek word παραβολή (parabolē) is used a total of 50 times in the New Testament (13 times in Mark, 17 in Matthew, 18 in Luke, and twice in Hebrews, but never in John). It always refers to some type of figure of speech or literary comparison ; it is usually translated parable in English, but sometimes also lesson (Mark 13:28; Matt 24:32), proverb (Luke 4:23), symbol (Heb 9:9), or figuratively speaking (Heb 11:19, all in the NRSV). Greek parabolē is used in the following NT verses: Mark 3:23; 4:2, 10, 11, 13a, 13b, 30, 33, 34; 7:17; 12:1, 12; 13:28 Matthew 13:3, 10, 13, 18, 24, 31, 33, 34a, 34b, 35, 36, 53; 15:15; 21:33, 45; 22:1; 24:32 Luke 4:23; 5:36; 6:39; 8:4, 9, 10, 11; 12:16, 41; 13:6; 14:7; 15:3; 18:1, 9; 19:11; 20:9, 19; 21:29 Hebrews 9:9; 11:19 A related Greek word, παροιμία (paroimia), which also refers to some type of figure of speech, is used only in John 10:6; 16:25; 16:29; and 2 Peter 2:22.
Not all the stories or figures of speech identified by biblical scholars as parables are explicitly called parables in the New Testament itself. This page lists all Gospel texts normally identified by scholars as parables, as well as related texts dealing with Jesus' use of parables. Where Are the Gospel Parables? From the following tables, you will note that Mark has only few parables and related images; Matthew adds quite a few more; and Luke has by far the most parables in the New Testament, including some of the most famous ones. The noncanonical Gospel of Thomas also contains quite a few parables that are also found in one or more of the Synoptics. In contrast, John's Gospel never uses the word "parable" and has only few very images that are even similar to the parables of the Synoptic Gospels. To compare the texts of parables that appear in two or more of the Gospels, see The Five Gospel Parallels website. Parables and Parabolic Images in the Gospel according to MARK: Parable Mark Matthew Luke Thomas Garments & Wineskins Mk 2:21 22 Mt 9:1617 Lk 5:3639 GTh 47b Strong Man Mk 3:27 Mt 12:29 Lk 11:21 GTh 35 Sower & Seed Mk 4:38 Mt 13:39 Lk 8:58 GTh 9 [Why Jesus Uses Parables] [Interpretation of Sower & Seed] Mk 4:10 12 Mk 4:13 20 Mt 13:1017 Lk 8:910 Mt 13:1823 Lk 8:1115 Lamp on a Stand Mk 4:21 Mt 5:15 Lk 8:16; and Lk 11:33 [Sayings about Jesus' Parables] Mk 4:22 25 Seed Growing Secretly Mk 4:26 29 Mustard Seed Mk 4:30 32 [Jesus' Use of Parables] Mk 4:33 34 Mt 10:26; 7:2; 13:12 [cf. Mt 13:24 30] Lk 8:1718; 12:2; 6:38b GTh 33 GTh 5; GTh 41 GTh 21c Mt 13:3132 Lk 13:1819 GTh 20 Mt 13:3435 Salt Mk 9:50 Mt 5:13 Lk 14:34 Wicked Tenants Mk 12:1 11 Mt 21:3344 Lk 20:918 GTh 65
Budding FigTree Doorkeeper Total Number of Markan Parables Mk 13:2829 Mk 13:3337 Mt 24:3233 Lk 21:2931 [cf. Lk 12:35 38] 10 Mt keeps all but 2 Lk keeps all but 2 GTh has 7 of Mark's Additional Parables and Parabolic Images in both Matthew & Luke, but not in Mark (from the "Q" Source?): Parable Mark Matthew Luke Thomas Specks and Planks in Eyes Mt 7:34 Lk 6:4142 Good and Bad Fruit Mt 7:1620 Lk 6:4344 Two Houses, Built on Rock or Earth Children in the Market Place Mt 11:16 19 Return of the Unclean Spirit Mt 12:43 45 Burglar Mt 24:43 44 Servant Entrusted with Supervision Mt 7:2427 Lk 6:4749 Mt 24:45 51 Lk 7:3135 Lk 11:24 26 Lk 12:39 40 Lk 12:42 46 Going before the Judge Mt 5:2526 Lk 12:58 59 Leaven Mt 13:33 Lk 13:20 21 Great Supper Mt 22:110 Lk 14:16 24 Lost Sheep Mt 18:12 14 GTh 21b, 103 GTh 96 GTh 64 Lk 15:37 GTh 107 Serving Two Masters Mt 6:2425 Lk 16:13 Pounds or Talents Mt 25:14 30 Lk 19:12 27 Number of New Parables in Q 13 13 GTh has 4 of Q's
Additional Parables and Parabolic Images in MATTHEW's Gospel (but neither in Mark nor in Luke): Parable Mark Matthew Luke Thomas Wheat & Tares Mt 13:24 30 [Interpretation of Wheat & Tares] Mt 13:36 43 GTh 57 Treasure Mt 13:44 GTh 109 Pearl Mt 13:45 46 Net Mt 13:47 48 Unmerciful Servant Mt 18:23 35 GTh 76 GTh 8 Vineyard Workers & Employer Mt 20:116 Two Sons Mt 21:28 32 Guest without a Wedding Garment Mt 22:11 14 Ten Virgins Mt 25:113 [cf. Lk 13:25] Last Judgement / Sheep & Goats Mt 25:31 46 Number of New Parables in Matthew GTh 75 10 GTh has 5 of Mt's Additional Parables and Parabolic Images in LUKE's Gospel (but neither in Mark nor in Matthew): Parable Mark Matthew Luke Thomas Two Debtors Lk 7:4143 Good Samaritan Lk 10:2537 Friend Asking for Help at Midnight Lk 11:58 Rich Fool Lk 12:1621 GTh 63 Faithful Servants Lk 12:3538 Barren FigTree Lk 13:69
Closed Door Lk 13:2430 Choice of Places at Table Lk 14:711 TowerBuilder Lk 14:2830 King Planning for Battle Lk 14:3133 Lost Coin Lk 15:810 Prodigal Son Lk 15:1132 Unjust Steward Lk 16:18 Rich Man & Lazarus Lk 16:1931 Servant's Reward Lk 17:710 Unjust Judge Lk 18:18 Pharisee & Publican Lk 18:914 Throne Claimant Lk 19:12, 14, 15a, 27 Number of New Parables in Luke 18 GTh has 1 of Lk's Parablelike Images in the Gospel according to JOHN: The word παραβολή (Gk. parabolē) is never used in the Fourth Gospel. However, the Johannine Jesus does use some metaphors and images that are somewhat similar to but also significantly different from the Synoptic parables. John's Gospel four times also uses the related word παροιμία (paroimia = "proverb" or "figure of speech"). Shepherd and Sheep (John 10:116) In Matthew 18:1214 and Luke 15:37, Jesus tells a parable about a Shepherd who lost one of his 100 sheep. In John, Jesus directly says, "I am the Sheepgate" (10:7, 9) and "I am the Good Shepherd" (10:11, 14). Vine and Branches (John 15:18) In the Synoptic Gospels, Jesus tells several parables involving workers in vineyards (Mark 12:111 & par.; Matt 20:116; Matt 21:2832). In John, Jesus directly says, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower" (15:1) and "I am the vine; you are the branches" (15:5). Paroimia = "proverb" or "figure of speech" (John 15:18)
John 10:6 Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. John 16:25 "I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but will tell you plainly of the Father." John 16:29 His disciples said, "Yes, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure of speech! List of Parables and Parabolic Images in the noncanonical Gospel according to THOMAS: Parable Thomas Mark Matthew Luke [Sayings about Jesus' Parables] GTh 5 Mk 4:22 Mt 10:26 Lk 8:17; 12:2 Net GTh 8 Mt 13:4748 Sower & Seed GTh 9 Mk 4:38 Mt 13:39 Lk 8:58 Mustard Seed GTh 20 Mk 4:30 32 Burglar GTh 21b [cf. GTh 103] Seed Growing Secretly GTh 21c Mk 4:26 29 Mt 13:3132 Lk 13:18 19 Mt 24:4344 Lk 12:39 40 [cf. Mt 13:24 30] Lamp on a Stand GTh 33 Mk 4:21 Mt 5:15 Lk 8:16; 11:33 Strong Man GTh 35 Mk 3:27 Mt 12:29 Lk 11:21 [Sayings about Jesus' Parables] GTh 41 Mk 4:25 Mt 13:12 Lk 8:18 Garments & Wineskins GTh 47b Mk 2:21 22 Mt 9:1617 Lk 5:3639 Wheat & Tares GTh 57 Mt 13:2430 Rich Fool GTh 63 Lk 12:16 21 Great Supper GTh 64 Mt 22:110 Lk 14:16 24 Wicked Tenants GTh 65 Mk 12:1 11 Mt 21:3344 Lk 20:918 Guest without a Wedding GTh 75 Mt 22:1114
Garment Pearl GTh 76 Mt 13:4546 Leaven GTh 96 Mt 13:33 Lk 13:20 21 Burglar GTh 103 [cf. GTh 21b] Mt 24:4344 Lk 12:39 40 Lost Sheep GTh 107 Mt 18:1213 Lk 15:37 Treasure GTh 109 Mt 13:44 Total Number in Thomas 18 Complete List of Parables and Parabolic Images in the Gospel according to MATTHEW: Parable Matthew Mark Luke Thomas Salt Mt 5:13 Mk 9:50 Lk 14:34 Lamp on a Stand Mt 5:15 Mk 4:21 Lk 8:16; 11:33 Going before the Judge Mt 5:2526 Lk 12:5859 Serving Two Masters Mt 6:2425 Lk 16:13 Specks and Planks in Eyes Mt 7:34 Lk 6:4142 Good and Bad Fruit Mt 7:1620 Lk 6:4344 Two Houses Mt 7:2427 Lk 6:4749 GTh 33 Garment & Wineskins Mt 9:1617 Mk 2:2122 Lk 5:3639 GTh 47 Children in the Market Place Mt 11:16 19 Lk 7:3135 Strong Man Mt 12:29 Mk 3:27 Lk 11:21 GTh 35 Return of the Unclean Spirit Mt 12:43 45 Lk 11:2426 Sower & Seed Mt 13:39 Mk 4:38 Lk 8:58 GTh 9 [Why Jesus Uses Parables] Mt 13:10 17 [Interpretation of Sower & Seed] Mt 13:18 23 Wheat & Tares Mt 13:24 30 Mk 4:1012 Lk 8:910 GTh 41 Mk 4:1320 Lk 8:1115 [cf. Mk 4:26 29] GTh 57 Mustard Seed Mt 13:31 Mk 4:3032 Lk 13:1819 GTh 20
32 Leaven Mt 13:33 Lk 13:2021 GTh 96 [Jesus' Use of Parables] Mt 13:34 35 [Interpretation of Wheat & Tares] Mt 13:36 43 Mk 4:3334 Treasure Mt 13:44 GTh 109 Pearl Mt 13:45 46 Net Mt 13:47 48 Lost Sheep Mt 18:12 14 Unmerciful Servant Mt 18:23 35 Vineyard Workers & Employer Two Sons Mt 21:28 32 Wicked Tenants Mt 21:33 44 GTh 76 GTh 8 Lk 15:37 GTh 107 Mt 20:116 Mk 12:111 Lk 20:918 GTh 65 Great Supper Mt 22:110 Lk 14:1624 GTh 64 Guest without a Wedding Garment Mt 22:11 14 Budding FigTree Mt 24:32 33 Burglar Mt 24:43 44 Servant Entrusted with Supervision Mt 24:45 51 GTh 75 Mk 13:2829 Lk 21:2931 Lk 12:3940 GTh 21b, 103 Lk 12:4246 Ten Virgins Mt 25:113 [cf. Lk 13:25] Pounds or Talents Mt 25:14 30 Last Judgement / Sheep & Goats Mt 25:31 46 Lk 19:1227 Total Number in Matthew 29
Complete List of Parables and Parabolic Images in the Gospel according to LUKE: Parable Luke Mark Matthew Thomas Garments & Wineskins Lk 5:3639 Mk 2:2122 Mt 9:1617 GTh 47b Specks and Planks in Eyes Lk 6:4142 Mt 7:34 Good and Bad Fruit Lk 6:4344 Mt 7:1620 Two Houses, Built on Rock or Earth Children in the Market Place Lk 6:4749 Mt 7:2427 Lk 7:3135 Mt 11:1619 Two Debtors Lk 7:4143 Sower & Seed Lk 8:58 Mk 4:38 Mt 13:39 GTh 9 [Why Jesus Uses Parables] Lk 8:910 Mk 4:1012 Mt 13:1017 [Interpretation of Sower & Seed] Lamp on a Stand [Other Sayings about Jesus' Parables] Lk 8:1115 Mk 4:1320 Mt 13:1823 Lk 8:16 [cf. 11:33] Lk 8:1718 [cf. 12:2] Mk 4:21 Mt 5:15 GTh 33 Mk 4:22, 24a, 25 Mt 10:26; 13:12 Good Samaritan Lk 10:2537 Friend Asking for Help at Midnight Lk 11:58 GTh 5; GTh 41 Strong Man Lk 11:21 Mk 3:27 Mt 12:29 GTh 35 Return of the Unclean Spirit Lamp on a Stand Lk 11:2426 Mt 12:4345 Lk 11:33 [cf. 8:16] Mk 4:21 Mt 5:15 GTh 33 Rich Fool Lk 12:1621 GTh 63 Faithful Servants Lk 12:3538 [cf. Mk 13:3337] Burglar Lk 12:3940 Mt 24:4344 GTh 21b, 103 Servant Entrusted with Supervision Lk 12:4246 Mt 24:4551 Going before the Judge Lk 12:5859 Mt 5:2526
Barren FigTree Lk 13:69 Mustard Seed Lk 13:1819 Mk 4:3032 Mt 13:3132 GTh 20 Leaven Lk 13:2021 Mt 13:33 GTh 96 Closed Door Lk 13:2430 [cf. Mt 25:1012] Choice of Places at Table Lk 14:711 Great Supper Lk 14:1624 Mt 22:110 GTh 64 TowerBuilder & King Planning for Battle Lk 14:2832 Salt Lk 14:34 Mk 9:50 Mt 5:13 Lost Sheep Lk 15:37 Mt 18:1213 GTh 107 Lost Coin Lk 15:810 Prodigal Son Lk 15:1132 Unjust Steward Lk 16:18 Serving Two Masters Lk 16:13 Mt 6:2425 Rich Man & Lazarus Lk 16:1931 Servant's Reward Lk 17:710 Unjust Judge Lk 18:18 Pharisee & Publican Lk 18:914 Pounds or Talents Lk 19:1227 Mt 25:1430 Throne Claimant Lk 19:12, 14, 15a, 27 Wicked Tenants Lk 20:918 Mk 12:111 Mt 21:3344 GTh 65 Budding FigTree Lk 21:2931 Mk 13:28 29 Mt 24:3233 Total Number in Luke 37 Related Resources: Parables in Matthew's Gospel (PPT) warning: very large file; make take long to download Recommended Readings: John R. Donahue, S.J. The Gospel in Parable. Philadephia: Fortress, 1988.
Mary Ann GettySullivan. Parables of the Kingdom: Jesus and the Use of Parables in the Synoptic Tradition. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2007. Kevin Perrotta and Amy Welborn. Parables: Stories of the Kingdom. Six Weeks with the Bible. Chicago: Loyola Press, 2003. Barbara E. Reid, O.P. Parables for Preachers: The Gospel of Matthew, Year A. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2001. Barbara E. Reid, O.P. Parables for Preachers: The Gospel of Mark, Year B. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1999. Barbara E. Reid, O.P. Parables for Preachers: The Gospel of Luke, Year C. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2000. C. H. Dodd. The Parables of the Kingdom. New York: Scribners, 1961. Joachim Jeremias. Parables of Jesus. New York: Scribners, 19541972 (various editions). Return to the HOME PAGE of Prof. Felix Just, S.J. This page was last updated on July 8, 2014 Copyright 19992014