Did You Know?

The Parable of the Talents illustrates the importance of wisely using and investing the resources entrusted to us.

This parable, recorded in Matthew 25:14-30, describes servants given different amounts of money, or 'talents,' with varying degrees of productive use. Servants who invested wisely were commended, while one who buried his talent out of fear was rebuked.

[Parables of Jesus]

The Parable of the Ten Virgins emphasizes the importance of being prepared for an uncertain future event.

This parable, recorded in Matthew 25:1-13, describes five wise virgins who brought extra oil for their lamps and five foolish virgins who did not. It concludes with an exhortation to 'watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour' (Matthew 25:13).

[Parables of Jesus]

The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus describes contrasting afterlife outcomes for a wealthy man and a poor beggar.

This parable, recorded in Luke 16:19-31, illustrates themes of reversal, justice, and the consequences of ignoring the needs of others. It also includes a notable statement regarding the sufficiency of Scripture for those who refuse to believe.

[Parables of Jesus]

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector contrasts self-righteous pride with genuine humility in prayer.

This parable, recorded in Luke 18:9-14, concludes with the statement that the humble tax collector, rather than the outwardly religious Pharisee, went home 'justified.' This parable directly addresses themes of humility versus self-righteousness.

[Parables of Jesus]

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant illustrates the importance of forgiving others as we have been forgiven.

This parable, recorded in Matthew 18:23-35, describes a servant forgiven a massive debt who then refuses to forgive a much smaller debt owed to him. It follows Jesus' teaching on forgiving 'seventy times seven' times (Matthew 18:21-22).

[Parables of Jesus]

The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders contrasts building one's life on a firm versus unstable foundation.

This parable, recorded in Matthew 7:24-27, concludes the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing the importance of not just hearing but acting upon Jesus' teachings. The wise builder's house, built on rock, withstands storms, while the foolish builder's house, built on sand, collapses.

[Parables of Jesus]

The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard describes laborers receiving equal pay despite working different lengths of time.

This parable, recorded in Matthew 20:1-16, illustrates themes of grace and generosity that may seem to challenge conventional notions of fairness. It concludes with the statement, 'so the last shall be first, and the first last' (Matthew 20:16).

[Parables of Jesus]

The Parable of the Good Shepherd describes Jesus' care for his followers using imagery of a shepherd and his sheep.

This extended teaching, found in John 10:1-18, includes Jesus' statement that 'the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep' (John 10:11). This imagery draws on familiar Old Testament shepherd imagery, such as that found in Psalm 23.

[Parables of Jesus]

The Parable of the Growing Seed describes the mysterious, gradual nature of spiritual growth.

This brief parable, recorded in Mark 4:26-29, describes a farmer scattering seed that grows 'he knoweth not how.' This imagery emphasizes both human responsibility and reliance on unseen, divine processes in spiritual development.

[Parables of Jesus]

The Parable of the Leaven compares the kingdom of heaven to yeast working through an entire batch of dough.

This brief parable, recorded in Matthew 13:33, illustrates the pervasive, gradually expanding influence of spiritual truth. It is often paired thematically with the nearby Parable of the Mustard Seed.

[Parables of Jesus]