Here is a list of ~40 parables told by Jesus in the New Testament:
- The Two Builders (Matthew 7:24–27; Luke 6:46–49)
- The Sprouting Seed (Mark 4:26–29)
- The Children of the Marketplace (Matthew 11:16–19; Luke 7:31–32)
- The Unclean Spirit (Matthew 12:43–45; Luke 11:24–26)
- Tree and Its Fruit (Matthew 12:33–37; Luke 6:43–45)
- The Strongman’s House (Matthew 12:29–30; Luke 11:21–23)
- The Sower and the Seed (Matthew 13:3–9; Mark 4:1–9; Luke 8:4–8)
- The Wheat and the Tares (Matthew 13:24–30)
- The Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31–32; Mark 4:30–32; Luke 13:18–20)
- Leaven in the Dough (Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:20–21)
- The Hidden Treasure (Matthew 13:44)
- The Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13:45–46)
- The Dragnet (Matthew 13:47–50)
- Treasures New and Old (Matthew 13:52)
- The Moneylender (Luke 7:41–43)
- The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–42)
- The Friend in Need (Luke 11:5–8)
- The Rich Fool (Luke 12:15–21)
- The Master’s Return (Luke 12:35–40)
- The Unfruitful Fig Tree (Luke 13:6–9)
- The Great Banquet (Luke 14:15–24)
- The Lost Sheep (Matthew 18:12–14; Luke 15:3–7)
- The Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:23–34)
- The Lost Coin (Luke 15:8–10)
- The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–32)
- The Dishonest Steward (Luke 16:1–8)
- The Master and His Servant (Luke 17:7–10)
- The Widow and the Unjust Judge (Luke 18:1–8)
- The Laborers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1–16)
- The Wicked Vine Dressers (Matthew 21:33–46; Mark 12:1–12; Luke 20:9–19)
- The Two Sons (Matthew 21:28–31)
- The Wedding Banquet (Matthew 22:1–14)
- Faithful vs. Wicked Servants (Matthew 24:45–51; Mark 13:32–37; Luke 12:41–48)
- The Wise and Foolish Virgins (Matthew 25:1–13)
- The Three Servants and the Talents (Matthew 25:14–30)
- The Ten Minas (Luke 19:12–27)
- The Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31–46)
- The Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19–31) [Some consider this to be a parable; others consider it to be a true story that Jesus told.]
Additionally, there are parables found in the Old Testament and non-canonical texts, but the above list focuses on the parables attributed to Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels[1][2].
Citations:
[1] https://www.gotquestions.org/parables-in-the-Bible.html
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parables_of_Jesus
[3] https://hallow.com/blog/parables-of-jesus/
[4] https://www.kevinhalloran.net/a-complete-list-of-jesus-parables-in-the-new-testament/
[5] https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/parables-of-jesus/
Here’s a brief summary of each of the 40 parables mentioned:
- The Two Builders: Teaches the importance of building one’s life on the solid foundation of Jesus’ teachings.
- The Sprouting Seed: Illustrates the Kingdom of God’s mysterious, self-growing nature.
- The Children of the Marketplace: Critiques people’s refusal to respond to John the Baptist and Jesus.
- The Unclean Spirit: Warns that a person cleaned of evil but empty of God is vulnerable to worse evil.
- Tree and Its Fruit: Emphasizes that good trees (people) produce good fruit (deeds).
- The Strongman’s House: Jesus explains His power over evil.
- The Sower and the Seed: Explains different responses to God’s word.
- The Wheat and the Tares: Warns against trying to judge between good and evil people prematurely.
- The Mustard Seed: Shows the Kingdom of God’s growth from small beginnings.
- Leaven in the Dough: Illustrates the pervasive growth of the Kingdom of God.
- The Hidden Treasure: Encourages sacrificing all for the Kingdom of Heaven.
- The Pearl of Great Price: Similar to the Hidden Treasure, values the Kingdom above all.
- The Dragnet: Describes the final judgment as a sorting of good and evil.
- Treasures New and Old: Encourages sharing both old and new teachings of the Kingdom.
- The Moneylender: Teaches forgiveness by comparing two debtors.
- The Good Samaritan: Defines a neighbor as anyone in need and encourages mercy.
- The Friend in Need: Encourages persistence in prayer.
- The Rich Fool: Warns against greed and living without regard for God.
- The Master’s Return: Encourages readiness for Jesus’ return.
- The Unfruitful Fig Tree: Warns of judgment on those who fail to repent.
- The Great Banquet: Illustrates God’s invitation to the Kingdom and people’s excuses.
- The Lost Sheep: Shows God’s joy in recovering sinners.
- The Unmerciful Servant: Emphasizes the need to forgive as God forgives.
- The Lost Coin: Similar to the Lost Sheep, celebrates finding the lost.
- The Prodigal Son: Highlights God’s forgiving nature and the joy in repentance.
- The Dishonest Steward: Advises prudent use of worldly resources for eternal benefits.
- The Master and His Servant: Teaches humility and duty without expectation of reward.
- The Widow and the Unjust Judge: Encourages persistent prayer and faith.
- The Laborers in the Vineyard: Challenges ideas of fairness, emphasizing God’s grace.
- The Wicked Vine Dressers: Warns religious leaders who reject Jesus.
- The Two Sons: Critiques those who promise obedience but do not follow through.
- The Wedding Banquet: Symbolizes God’s invitation to salvation and consequences of refusal.
- Faithful vs. Wicked Servants: Encourages faithfulness in anticipation of Jesus’ return.
- The Wise and Foolish Virgins: Stresses preparedness for the Kingdom of Heaven.
- The Three Servants and the Talents: Encourages using God-given gifts for His kingdom.
- The Ten Minas: Similar to the Talents, emphasizes stewardship and reward.
- The Sheep and the Goats: Describes the final judgment based on acts of mercy.
- The Rich Man and Lazarus: Warns of the consequences of ignoring the needy and the finality of judgment.
- The Pharisee and the Tax Collector: Teaches humility and repentance before God.
- The Persistent Widow: Encourages persistent faith and prayer.
These summaries capture the essence of each parable’s lesson or moral, reflecting the depth and diversity of Jesus’ teachings through these stories[1][2][3][4][5].
Citations:
[1] https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/parables-of-jesus/
[2] https://www.alabasterco.com/blogs/education/list-of-parables-in-the-bible
[3] https://www.gotquestions.org/parables-in-the-Bible.html
[4] https://hallow.com/blog/parables-of-jesus/
[5] https://www.kevinhalloran.net/a-complete-list-of-jesus-parables-in-the-new-testament/