The Parables of Jesus (A parable is a brief, succinct story, in prose or verse, that illustrates a moral or religious lesson. Also consider the Parables of the Mustard Seed and Leaven. Jesus Seminar coding: Red = Jesus undoubtedly said this or something like this, Pink = Jesus probably said something like this, Blue = Jesus did not say this, but the ideas contained in it are close to his own, and Black = Jesus did not say this; it represents the perspective or content of a later or different tradition.) The Parable of the Vineyard Laborers (The Jesus Seminar interpreted this parable as something Jesus undoubtedly said, a red designation. Verse 16 has a pink designation. Verses from King James Version) Matthew 0 1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? 7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. 8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. 9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, 1 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. 1 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 1 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
1 16 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. The Parable of the Wedding Feast (The Jesus Seminar interpreted this parable as something Jesus didn t say, but the ideas contained in it are close to his own, a blue designation. Verse 1 has a black designation. Verses from King James Version.) Matthew 1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 6 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 1 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 1 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 1 For many are called, but few are chosen.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan (The Jesus Seminar interpreted the core of this parable, verses 0-, as something Jesus undoubtedly said, a red designation. The rest of the verses are a black designation. Verses from King James Version) Luke 10 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 6 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 7 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 8 9 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? 0 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 1 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 6 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 7 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
The Parable of the Prodigal Son (The Jesus Seminar interpreted this parable as something Jesus probably said, a pink designation. Verses from King James Version.) Luke 1 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 1 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 1 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 1 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 1 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 0 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 1 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 6 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
7 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 8 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 9 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 0 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 1 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.