Parables of Jesus

The parables of Jesus are teachings of Christ, which reveal the providence of salvation by comparing heavenly truths to familiar objects or situations. Jesus used parables to help people understand the principles of heaven and salvation more easily. He also explained that He spoke in parables because there is a distinction between those who are permitted to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven and those who are not. Through these parables, Jesus conveyed the words of truth essential for salvation, allowing those with open hearts to grasp the mysteries of God’s redemptive plan.

The Reason Jesus Spoke in Parables

There are two main reasons why Jesus spoke in parables. A parable, by definition, is “a way of explaining something by comparing it to a familiar phenomenon or object.” In general, parables are used to help listeners understand complex ideas more easily, and Jesus used them for this very purpose. Human understanding is limited. With our physical senses, we cannot fully perceive things that are far away, like the vast universe, or things too small to see, like microorganisms. How much more difficult, then, is it to comprehend the invisible spiritual world? For this reason, Jesus used parables to reveal the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven and the principles of salvation in ways that people could understand.

The second reason Jesus spoke in parables is that there is a distinction between those who are permitted to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven and those who are not. In Matthew 13, Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, but later, when they had departed, He explained their meanings privately to His disciples. This shows that Jesus used parables to separate those who would truly hear and accept the truth from those who would not. This distinction was also prophesied in the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament. Therefore, Jesus said that those who have eyes to see and ears to hear the truth of salvation are truly blessed.

“	By using parables, He preached the gospel and uttered things hidden since the creation of the world (Mt 13:34–35); He wanted to reveal the profound truth about the previous world and the soul. None of the various parables are untrue.	“
— Ahnsahnghong, Visitors From the Angelic World, Melchizedek Publishing, 2009, pp. 75–76

The Main Parables of Jesus

The parables spoken by Jesus are deeply connected to salvation. Through them, He revealed profound truths about the spiritual identity of humanity, the Savior whom we must receive to enter the kingdom of heaven, and the standards by which truth is distinguished from falsehood. He also shared many other parables concerning salvation—teaching about the incomparable value of the kingdom of heaven and the virtues of humility and meekness that God’s people should possess.

Parable	Scripture	Content	Meaning
The Lost Sheep	Lk 15:4–7	A shepherd who loses one of his one hundred sheep rejoices greatly when he finds it.	In this parable, the shepherd represents Jesus, the ninety-nine sheep represent the righteous in heaven, and the one lost sheep symbolizes sinners on earth. Just as the shepherd rejoices when he finds his lost sheep, Jesus rejoices greatly when even one sinner repents and returns to Him.
The Rich Man and Lazarus	Lk 16:19–29	In this parable, both the rich man and Lazarus die and enter the spiritual world. The rich man finds himself in hell, while Lazarus is comforted in heaven, at Abraham’s side.	This parable teaches that life on this earth is not everything—that beyond death lies a spiritual world consisting of heaven and hell. Therefore, while we are still alive, we must listen to God’s word and put it into practice, preparing for the eternal life to come.
The House Built on the Rock	Mt 7:24–27	When the rain falls and floods rise, the house built on the rock stands firm, but the house built on the sand collapses.	The one who hears and practices God’s word is like the wise man who built his house upon the rock, while the one who hears but does not put it into practice is like the foolish man who built his house upon the sand.
The Weeds and Wheat	Mt 13:24–30; 36–42	After a farmer sows good seed in his field, an enemy comes and scatters weeds among the wheat. When the plants begin to grow, the servants notice the weeds and ask if they should pull them up. The owner tells them to let both grow together until the harvest, lest they uproot the wheat by mistake. At harvest time, the wheat is gathered and stored in the barn, while the weeds are tied in bundles and thrown into the fire.	In this parable, the owner represents Jesus, the field symbolizes the world, the good seed refers to the sons of the kingdom, and the weeds represent the sons of the evil one. The enemy who sows the weeds is the devil, and the harvest signifies the end of the age. This parable is a prophecy that after Jesus’ ascension, Satan would spread lawlessness throughout the world. Those who practice lawlessness—turning away from the truth of God—will not be able to enter the kingdom of heaven.
The Seed Fell on the Ground	Mark 4:3–20	The seeds that fall along the path, on rocky ground, or among thorns fail to bear fruit; only the seed that falls on good soil grows and produces a fruitful harvest.	When God’s word is sown in a heart that is good and receptive in His sight, it bears abundant fruit—the fruits of the gospel.
The Heavenly Wedding Banquet	Mt 22:2–14	The salvation and entrance of the saints into heaven are compared to attending a wedding banquet. In this parable, only the bridegroom and the invited guests appear, symbolizing Christ and those who are called to receive salvation.	In this parable, the bridegroom represents Jesus—God the Father—and the invited guests symbolize the saints who will receive salvation. The Bride represents God the Mother, who appears together with the Second Coming Jesus in the last days. This parable reveals the providence that both God the Father and God the Mother will appear to grant the water of life to people in the end time.
The Fig Tree	Lk 13:6–9; Mt 24:30–33	A man sought fruit on a fig tree for three years but found none, so he decided to cut it down. Jesus also said, “When the twigs of the fig tree become tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, know that the Son of Man is near, right at the door.”	In this parable, the man who looks for fruit on the fig tree represents Jesus, and the fig tree symbolizes Israel. This is a prophecy that Israel, which did not accept Jesus at His first coming, would be destroyed by Rome in AD 70. However, when the fig tree revives—symbolizing the restoration of Israel—the prophecy indicates that the Second Coming Jesus will appear.
The Prodigal Son	Lk 15:11–32	A son who squandered his inheritance in a distant country later repented and returned home, and his father welcomed him with great joy.	The prodigal son represents a spiritual sinner who has strayed from God. Yet even those who repent and return are forgiven and warmly welcomed by God.
The Widow and the Judge	Lk 18:1–8	A widow continually sought justice from an unjust judge, and because of her persistence, he eventually granted her request.	This parable teaches that we must always pray to God and never give up.
The Prayers of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector	Lk 18:10–14	In this parable, the Pharisee viewed himself as righteous, while the tax collector humbled himself, acknowledging that he was a sinner.	Jesus concluded the parable by saying, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” This teaches the essential virtue of humility that every saint must possess.
The Debtor Who Owed Much and the Debtor Who Owed Little	Lk 7:41–43	Of the two debtors—one who owed five hundred denarii and the other fifty—the one who was forgiven more showed greater love.	The debtors represent spiritual sinners. Those who are forgiven of greater sins feel deeper gratitude and express greater love toward God, recognizing the greatness of His mercy.
The Servant Who Owed Ten Thousand Talents	Mt 18:23–35	A servant who was forgiven of his debt of ten thousand talents was later imprisoned because he refused to forgive another who owed him only one hundred denarii.	The servant who was forgiven of his debt of ten thousand talents represents a sinner who has been forgiven by God. Just as God shows mercy and forgives sinners, we too must forgive our brothers and sisters from the heart.
The Rich Fool	Lk 12:16–21	A rich man who stored up goods for many years but did not know that God would require his soul that very night was called a fool.	The rich fool represents those who fail to prepare for the spiritual world, focusing only on earthly wealth and neglecting eternal life.
The Hidden Treasure in the Field	Mt 13:44	A man found a hidden treasure in a field, and in his joy, he sold all he had and bought that field.	The kingdom of heaven is likened to hidden treasure in a field.
The Pearl of Great Value	Mt 13:45–46	A merchant found a pearl of great value, and he sold all he had in order to buy it.	The kingdom of heaven is compared to a pearl of great value.
The Mustard Seed	Mt 13:31–32	A tiny mustard seed grows into a large tree, and the birds of the air come and make their nests in its branches.	The kingdom of heaven is likened to a mustard seed.
Light and Salt	Mt 5:13–16	When salt loses its saltiness, it is no longer useful and is thrown away. Likewise, a lamp is not hidden under a bowl but placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.	The saints are compared to salt and light. We must become the salt and light of the world through good deeds.
The Narrow and Wide Gates	Mt 7:13–14	The gate that leads to destruction is wide, and many enter through it; but the gate that leads to life is narrow, and only a few find it.	The way of salvation and the way of destruction are likened to the narrow gate and the wide gate.
The Good Samaritan	Lk 10:30–37	A Good Samaritan saved a man who had been left half-dead by robbers.	This parable teaches that we should do good deeds—both spiritually and physically—just as the Good Samaritan did.
Workers for the Harvest	Mt 9:37–38	The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.	Gospel workers are compared to harvesters. Jesus expressed the need for more workers because there were so many places where the gospel had to be preached.
The Servants Given Minas	Lk 19:12–27	A master entrusted ten servants with ten minas of silver before leaving on a journey. Some servants faithfully did business according to their master’s will and gained a profit, while others disobeyed and made no effort to do business. When the master returned, he rewarded the faithful servants for their diligence but punished those who were lazy and unfaithful, judging each according to their deeds.	Fulfilling the mission according to God’s will is compared to the servants who did business with the minas entrusted to them.
The Servants Given Talents	Mt 25:14–30	A master gave different amounts of talents to his servants before leaving on a journey. When he returned, he rewarded or punished each servant according to what they had done with what was entrusted to them.	This parable symbolizes fulfilling God’s mission, which is likened to trading with the talents entrusted by the master.
The Ten Virgins	Mt 25:1–13	Among the ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom, five wise virgins prepared oil for their lamps and entered the wedding banquet, while five foolish virgins did not and were left outside.	This parable teaches that the saints who are waiting for the coming of God must always stay awake and prepare the oil of faith.
The Vine and the Branches	Jn 15:1–8	A branch cannot live apart from the vine.	God’s people are compared to the branches, and God is the vine. Just as branches cannot live or bear fruit apart from the vine, God’s people can do nothing apart from Him.

See also

• God in the Flesh (Incarnation)
• Messiah
• Christ
• Jesus Christ
• Life of Jesus
• Prophecies About Jesus in the Bible
• Jesus’ Appearance and Living Environment
• Miracles of Jesus
• The Teachings of Jesus Christ
• Crucifixion
• Jesus’ Resurrection
• The Ascension of Jesus