Jesus’ Teachings

What are Parables?

A parable is a short story which teaches a lesson.From the Greek: parabolē –

“comparison, illustration, analogy”

Jesus Parables

Jesus was a rabbi (teacher) who used parables as his main method of teachingThey deal with simple everyday

situations, but have a deeper religious meaning to them.

Parable of the Sower (Lk 8 : 4-15)

Four responses to the Gospel: Seed is “the word of the kingdom”1. Hard ground

Someone hardened by sinSatan plucks message away

2. Stony groundSomeone who likes the Word, but his heart is not changed

So when trouble arises, his faith disappears3. Thorny ground

Someone who seems to receive the Word But riches, pleasures, and lust take his away his time and

attention4. Good ground

Someone who hears, understands, and accepts the WordAllows Word to accomplish its results in his life

Meaning?“A man’s reception of God’s word is determined by the condition of his heart.”“Salvation is more than just hearing the Gospel, one must go on to earn it.”

Parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10 : 25-37)

Obvious meaning? 1. Show love and compassion for others

Set aside prejudices 2. Our neighbor is anyone we encounter, not just those we know

Second layer? Road to Jericho very dangerous

Many robbers and thieves Samaritan

Jews hated Samaritans So it was shocking that a Samaritan saved the man

Body lying in the road May be dead and ritually unclean

Priest did not want to risk becoming unclean to see if man was alive

Parable of the Prodigal Son (Lk 15 : 11-32)

Obvious meaning? We can easily become slaves to sin and enter a worse

state God will forgive us and accept us, no matter what

we’ve done Christians who have not fallen should not resent those

who come back to the Church God loves sinners and the righteous equally

Deeper layers? Taking inheritance Working for a Gentile feeding pigs Father runs to meet Son

Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Lk 18 : 9 – 14)

Obvious meaning? We must be humble and sincere in our prayers

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

God will forgive us if we are sorry for our sinsDeeper layers?

Pharisee His prayer?

Tax-collector His prayer?

Parable of the Mustard Seed (Mk 4 : 30-32)

Meaning? The Kingdom of God would have a small beginning,

but grow tremendously and benefit the world.

Deeper info? Mustard

Very small seed, but the plant grew to over 10 feet tall Birds were not known to go around mustard

What can this show?

Parable of the Talents (Mt 25 : 14-30)

Meaning? We must use the resources God gives us so they increase in value

Example: Word of God (Scripture) In other words, success is a product of our work

Other information: A Talent was a unit of measurement

A Talent of gold was A LOT of money! So the stewards were trusted with something valuable

Fun fact! This parable is the origin of the English word: “talent”, as in, an aptitude for something