Parables of Jesus: All 38 Parables With Verses and Meaning
By Shadush Sachiska· 14 min read
In this article
- What is a parable?
- Why did Jesus teach in parables?
- All 38 parables of Jesus at a glance
- Hearing and responding to God's word
- How God's kingdom grows
- The worth and cost of following Jesus
- God's grace to the lost
- Forgiveness and love for others
- Prayer
- Money and possessions
- Faithful service
- Being ready for Christ's return
- Accepting God's invitation
- How to read and understand a parable
- Frequently asked questions
Jesus was a master storyteller. Farmers, fishermen, shepherds, housewives, kings and servants all show up in His parables — ordinary people and everyday scenes that carry extraordinary truths about God. Many of His most famous sayings, from “the Good Samaritan” to “the prodigal son,” come from these short stories.
This guide explains all 38 parables recorded in the Gospels, grouped by theme so you can see what Jesus taught about each subject. Every parable includes its Bible verses, a plain-language explanation and a lesson for today. If you'd rather see them in the order Jesus told them, use our list of all Jesus' parables in order.
What is a parable?
A parable is a short story drawn from everyday life that teaches a spiritual or moral truth. The Greek word parabolē means “something placed alongside” — a familiar picture set beside an unfamiliar truth so we can understand it.
Jesus' parables are different from fables. They don't use talking animals or magic. They describe things His listeners saw every day — seeds, lamps, coins, sheep and banquets — and then turn them around with a surprising twist that makes people think.
Why did Jesus teach in parables?
When the disciples asked this question, Jesus answered:
Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given… Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.Matthew 13:11, 13 (KJV)
Parables did two things at once. For people with open hearts, they made truth vivid and easy to remember. For those who had already rejected Jesus, they veiled the truth, fulfilling Isaiah 6:9–10. Mark adds that Jesus explained everything privately to His disciples (Mark 4:33–34).
All 38 parables of Jesus at a glance
| # | Parable | Bible verses | Theme |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Cloth and New Wine | Matthew 9:16–17 Mark 2:21–22 Luke 5:36–39 | How God's kingdom grows |
| 2 | The Wise and Foolish Builders | Matthew 7:24–27 Luke 6:47–49 | Hearing and responding to God's word |
| 3 | The Lamp Under a Bushel | Matthew 5:14–16 Mark 4:21–25 Luke 8:16–18 | Hearing and responding to God's word |
| 4 | The Two Debtors | Luke 7:41–43 | God's grace to the lost |
| 5 | The Sower | Matthew 13:3–23 Mark 4:3–20 Luke 8:5–15 | Hearing and responding to God's word |
| 6 | The Growing Seed | Mark 4:26–29 | How God's kingdom grows |
| 7 | The Wheat and the Tares | Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43 | How God's kingdom grows |
| 8 | The Mustard Seed | Matthew 13:31–32 Mark 4:30–32 Luke 13:18–19 | How God's kingdom grows |
| 9 | The Leaven | Matthew 13:33 Luke 13:20–21 | How God's kingdom grows |
| 10 | The Hidden Treasure | Matthew 13:44 | The worth and cost of following Jesus |
| 11 | The Pearl of Great Price | Matthew 13:45–46 | The worth and cost of following Jesus |
| 12 | The Net | Matthew 13:47–50 | How God's kingdom grows |
| 13 | The Unforgiving Servant | Matthew 18:23–35 | Forgiveness and love for others |
| 14 | The Good Samaritan | Luke 10:30–37 | Forgiveness and love for others |
| 15 | The Friend at Midnight | Luke 11:5–8 | Prayer |
| 16 | The Rich Fool | Luke 12:16–21 | Money and possessions |
| 17 | The Watchful Servants | Mark 13:34–37 Luke 12:35–40 | Being ready for Christ's return |
| 18 | The Faithful and Wise Servant | Matthew 24:45–51 Luke 12:42–48 | Faithful service |
| 19 | The Barren Fig Tree | Luke 13:6–9 | Accepting God's invitation |
| 20 | The Great Banquet | Luke 14:16–24 | Accepting God's invitation |
| 21 | Counting the Cost | Luke 14:28–33 | The worth and cost of following Jesus |
| 22 | The Lost Sheep | Matthew 18:12–14 Luke 15:3–7 | God's grace to the lost |
| 23 | The Lost Coin | Luke 15:8–10 | God's grace to the lost |
| 24 | The Prodigal Son | Luke 15:11–32 | God's grace to the lost |
| 25 | The Unjust Steward | Luke 16:1–13 | Money and possessions |
| 26 | The Rich Man and Lazarus | Luke 16:19–31 | Money and possessions |
| 27 | The Unprofitable Servants (Master and Servant) | Luke 17:7–10 | Faithful service |
| 28 | The Persistent Widow | Luke 18:1–8 | Prayer |
| 29 | The Pharisee and the Tax Collector | Luke 18:9–14 | God's grace to the lost |
| 30 | The Workers in the Vineyard | Matthew 20:1–16 | God's grace to the lost |
| 31 | The Pounds (Minas) | Luke 19:11–27 | Faithful service |
| 32 | The Two Sons | Matthew 21:28–32 | Hearing and responding to God's word |
| 33 | The Wicked Tenants | Matthew 21:33–44 Mark 12:1–11 Luke 20:9–18 | Accepting God's invitation |
| 34 | The Wedding Feast | Matthew 22:1–14 | Accepting God's invitation |
| 35 | The Budding Fig Tree | Matthew 24:32–35 Mark 13:28–31 Luke 21:29–33 | Being ready for Christ's return |
| 36 | The Ten Virgins | Matthew 25:1–13 | Being ready for Christ's return |
| 37 | The Talents | Matthew 25:14–30 | Faithful service |
| 38 | The Sheep and the Goats | Matthew 25:31–46 | Forgiveness and love for others |
Luke records the most parables (26), followed by Matthew (21) and Mark (8). Some, like the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan, appear only in Luke.
Hearing and responding to God's word
The Wise and Foolish Builders
Bible verses: Matthew 7:24–27; Luke 6:47–49
Both builders hear Jesus' words, and both houses face the same storm. The difference is that one man puts the words into practice and builds on rock.
Lesson: Hearing isn't enough; obeying Jesus is what makes a life stand.
The Lamp Under a Bushel
Bible verses: Matthew 5:14–16; Mark 4:21–25; Luke 8:16–18
No one lights a lamp and then hides it under a basket. God's light is meant to be seen, and those who receive His word are meant to shine.
Lesson: Let your faith be visible in good works that point people to God.
The Sower
Bible verses: Matthew 13:3–23; Mark 4:3–20; Luke 8:5–15
Seed falls on a hard path, rocky ground, thorny ground and good soil. The seed is God's word, and the soils are different responses to it. Only the good soil bears lasting fruit.
Lesson: Guard your heart so God's word can take root and bear fruit.
The Two Sons
Bible verses: Matthew 21:28–32
One son refuses to work in the vineyard but later goes; the other says yes but never goes. Repentant sinners were entering the kingdom ahead of religious leaders who talked but didn't obey.
Lesson: What you do matters more than what you say.
How God's kingdom grows
New Cloth and New Wine
Bible verses: Matthew 9:16–17; Mark 2:21–22; Luke 5:36–39
You don't sew new, unshrunk cloth onto an old garment or pour new wine into old, brittle wineskins. Jesus was bringing something new that couldn't simply be patched onto old religious habits.
Lesson: Let Jesus make you new rather than adding Him to an old way of life.
The Growing Seed
Bible verses: Mark 4:26–29
A farmer scatters seed, then sleeps and rises while it grows by itself — he doesn't know how. God's kingdom grows by God's power, not human effort.
Lesson: Sow faithfully and trust God with the growth.
The Wheat and the Tares
Bible verses: Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43
An enemy sows weeds among the wheat, but the owner lets both grow until harvest so the wheat isn't uprooted. Good and evil exist side by side until God's final judgment sorts them.
Lesson: Be patient with God's timing and leave final judgment to Him.
The Mustard Seed
Bible verses: Matthew 13:31–32; Mark 4:30–32; Luke 13:18–19
The tiny mustard seed grows into a plant big enough for birds to nest in. God's kingdom starts small, with Jesus and a few followers, but grows beyond imagination.
Lesson: Don't despise small beginnings when God is at work.
The Leaven
Bible verses: Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:20–21
A woman hides a little yeast in a large batch of flour until all of it rises. The kingdom quietly works its way through everything it touches.
Lesson: God's kingdom changes lives and communities from the inside out.
The Net
Bible verses: Matthew 13:47–50
A net gathers fish of every kind; at the shore the good are kept and the bad thrown away. At the end of the age, God will separate the righteous from the wicked.
Lesson: Make sure you truly belong to God, not just to the crowd.
The worth and cost of following Jesus
The Hidden Treasure
Bible verses: Matthew 13:44
A man finds treasure hidden in a field and, full of joy, sells everything to buy the field. The kingdom of heaven is worth more than anything we could give up. Read the full study: The Hidden Treasure explained.
Lesson: Following Jesus isn't a loss; He is the treasure.
The Pearl of Great Price
Bible verses: Matthew 13:45–46
A merchant searching for fine pearls finds one of great value and sells everything to buy it. The kingdom is the one thing truly worth everything.
Lesson: Seek Christ above every other good thing.
Counting the Cost
Bible verses: Luke 14:28–33
A builder estimates the cost before building a tower, and a king weighs his army before going to war. Following Jesus is a whole-life commitment worth thinking through.
Lesson: Follow Jesus with your eyes open and your whole heart.
God's grace to the lost
The Two Debtors
Bible verses: Luke 7:41–43
Two men owed money, one much more than the other, and both were forgiven. The one forgiven more loved more. Jesus contrasts the woman's grateful love with Simon's cold welcome.
Lesson: Remembering how much you've been forgiven deepens your love for God.
The Lost Sheep
Bible verses: Matthew 18:12–14; Luke 15:3–7
A shepherd leaves ninety-nine sheep to find the one that's lost, then carries it home rejoicing. Heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents. Read the full study: The Lost Sheep explained.
Lesson: God seeks the lost, and no one is too far gone for Him.
The Lost Coin
Bible verses: Luke 15:8–10
A woman lights a lamp and sweeps the house until she finds one lost silver coin, then calls her friends to celebrate. Each person matters to God.
Lesson: You are precious to God, and so is every person you meet.
The Prodigal Son
Bible verses: Luke 15:11–32
A younger son wastes his inheritance, returns home in shame, and is welcomed with a feast by his running father. The older son refuses to celebrate. God welcomes repentant sinners with joy — and invites the self-righteous to join in. Read the full study: The Prodigal Son explained.
Lesson: Come home to the Father; His welcome is bigger than your failure.
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
Bible verses: Luke 18:9–14
A Pharisee boasts about his goodness, while a tax collector beats his chest and asks for mercy. The tax collector goes home justified.
Lesson: God accepts the humble who ask for mercy, not the proud.
The Workers in the Vineyard
Bible verses: Matthew 20:1–16
Workers hired at different hours all receive the same day's wage, and the early workers complain. God's grace is generous and not earned by length of service.
Lesson: Rejoice in God's generosity rather than comparing yourself with others.
Forgiveness and love for others
The Unforgiving Servant
Bible verses: Matthew 18:23–35
A servant forgiven a huge debt by his king refuses to forgive a fellow servant a tiny one, and the king holds him to account. God's forgiveness of us should overflow into forgiving others.
Lesson: Forgive others as God has forgiven you.
The Good Samaritan
Bible verses: Luke 10:30–37
A priest and a Levite pass by a beaten man, but a despised Samaritan stops, cares for him and pays for his recovery. Our neighbor is anyone in need, and love crosses every boundary.
Lesson: Don't ask who your neighbor is; be a neighbor to whoever needs you.
The Sheep and the Goats
Bible verses: Matthew 25:31–46
When the Son of Man comes, He separates people like a shepherd separates sheep from goats. Kindness to “the least of these” is counted as kindness to Christ Himself. Read the full study: The Sheep and the Goats explained.
Lesson: Serve Christ by serving people in need.
Prayer
The Friend at Midnight
Bible verses: Luke 11:5–8
A man knocks on his friend's door at midnight for bread, and his persistence gets him what he needs. If a reluctant friend will answer, how much more will our generous Father.
Lesson: Keep asking, seeking and knocking in prayer.
The Persistent Widow
Bible verses: Luke 18:1–8
A widow keeps asking an unjust judge for justice until he finally gives in. If even he responds, God will surely bring justice for His people who cry out to Him.
Lesson: Don't give up praying.
Money and possessions
The Rich Fool
Bible verses: Luke 12:16–21
A wealthy farmer builds bigger barns to store his crops and plans to take life easy, but he dies that night. He was rich in things but poor toward God.
Lesson: Be rich toward God, not just in possessions.
The Unjust Steward
Bible verses: Luke 16:1–13
A manager about to be fired reduces his master's debtors' bills to win friends. Jesus doesn't praise his dishonesty but his shrewd planning for the future.
Lesson: Use money wisely for eternal purposes; you cannot serve God and money.
The Rich Man and Lazarus
Bible verses: Luke 16:19–31
A rich man ignores the beggar Lazarus at his gate. After death, Lazarus is comforted and the rich man is in torment. Scripture is enough to call people to repent.
Lesson: Don't ignore the needy, and listen to God's word now.
Faithful service
The Faithful and Wise Servant
Bible verses: Matthew 24:45–51; Luke 12:42–48
A servant put in charge of the household either cares faithfully for others or abuses them, thinking his master is delayed. The master will return and reward or punish accordingly.
Lesson: Use what God has entrusted to you faithfully, especially in caring for others.
The Unprofitable Servants (Master and Servant)
Bible verses: Luke 17:7–10
A servant who does his duty doesn't expect special thanks for it. Our service to God is the right response to His grace, not a way to earn it. Read the full study: The Unprofitable Servants (Master and Servant) explained.
Lesson: Serve God humbly, without seeking credit.
The Pounds (Minas)
Bible verses: Luke 19:11–27
A nobleman gives each servant one pound to invest while he travels to receive a kingdom. Faithful servants are rewarded; the one who hides his pound loses it.
Lesson: Be faithful with what God has given you while you wait for His kingdom.
The Talents
Bible verses: Matthew 25:14–30
A master entrusts five, two and one talents to three servants. Two invest and are praised; the third buries his out of fear and is condemned.
Lesson: Use your gifts and opportunities for God; don't bury them.
Being ready for Christ's return
The Watchful Servants
Bible verses: Mark 13:34–37; Luke 12:35–40
Servants keep their lamps lit, waiting for their master to return from a wedding, ready to open the door the moment he knocks. Christ will return at an unexpected hour.
Lesson: Live each day ready to meet Jesus.
The Budding Fig Tree
Bible verses: Matthew 24:32–35; Mark 13:28–31; Luke 21:29–33
When a fig tree puts out leaves, you know summer is near. In the same way, the signs Jesus described show that His coming is near.
Lesson: Watch the signs and trust Jesus' words, which will never pass away.
The Ten Virgins
Bible verses: Matthew 25:1–13
Ten bridesmaids wait for the bridegroom; five bring extra oil and five don't. When he arrives at midnight, the unprepared are shut out.
Lesson: Be spiritually prepared now; readiness can't be borrowed at the last minute.
Accepting God's invitation
The Barren Fig Tree
Bible verses: Luke 13:6–9
A fig tree has borne no fruit for three years. The gardener asks for one more year to tend it before it is cut down. God is patient, but His patience is an invitation to repent.
Lesson: Don't waste God's patience; turn to Him now.
The Great Banquet
Bible verses: Luke 14:16–24
Invited guests make excuses, so the host fills his banquet with the poor, the crippled and people from the highways. God's invitation goes out to everyone, and excuses keep people out.
Lesson: Accept God's invitation without excuses.
The Wicked Tenants
Bible verses: Matthew 21:33–44; Mark 12:1–11; Luke 20:9–18
Tenants beat the owner's servants and finally kill his son to seize the vineyard. Jesus was describing how Israel's leaders had treated the prophets and were about to treat Him.
Lesson: Don't reject God's Son; He is the cornerstone.
The Wedding Feast
Bible verses: Matthew 22:1–14
A king's invited guests refuse to come to his son's wedding, so he invites everyone from the streets. One guest without a wedding garment is thrown out. God's invitation is wide, but it must be accepted on His terms. Read the full study: The Wedding Feast explained.
Lesson: Accept God's invitation — and come clothed in the righteousness He provides.
How to read and understand a parable
- Look at the setting. Who was Jesus talking to, and what question prompted the story? The Prodigal Son, for example, was told to Pharisees complaining that Jesus welcomed sinners (Luke 15:1–2).
- Find the main point. Most parables make one or two central points. Don't press every detail for a hidden meaning.
- Notice the twist. The surprise — a Samaritan hero, a father who runs, workers all paid the same — is usually where the lesson lies.
- Use Jesus' own explanations. He explained the Sower and the Wheat and the Tares himself; use them as models.
- Ask where you fit. Are you the older brother or the younger? The priest who passed by, or the Samaritan who stopped?
To see where each parable falls in Jesus' ministry — and who He was talking to — read all Jesus' parables in order with Bible passages.
Frequently asked questions
How many parables did Jesus tell?
This guide lists 38 story parables in Matthew, Mark and Luke. Other lists range from about 30 to more than 40, depending on whether short sayings like “salt of the earth” are counted as parables.
What is the most famous parable of Jesus?
The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–32) and the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30–37) are the best known. Both are found only in Luke's Gospel.
Why did Jesus speak in parables?
Parables made truth memorable for those willing to listen, while hiding it from those who had hardened their hearts (Matthew 13:10–17). Jesus explained their meaning privately to His disciples (Mark 4:34).
Which Gospel has the most parables?
Luke records the most, with 26 of the 38 in this list, followed by Matthew with 21 and Mark with 8.
Are there parables in the Gospel of John?
John has no story parables like the other Gospels. Instead it records figures of speech such as the Good Shepherd (John 10) and the True Vine (John 15). The King James Version even calls John 10:1–5 a “parable” (John 10:6).
What was the first parable Jesus told?
Among the longer story parables, the Sower is usually seen as the first major one, told from a boat by the Sea of Galilee. Shorter sayings, like new wine in old wineskins, came earlier. See all the parables in order on our list of all Jesus' parables in order.
