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27 Insightful Proverbs to Frame Your Life Around

Over the past couple of months, we have shared assorted Proverbs that provide great wisdom and guidance as to how you can effectively live your life. Because there are so many good Proverbs out there, we are sharing some more that we think are constructive as well as worthwhile to not only read but also apply to your life. 

The Proverbs

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Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.

Proverbs 20:13

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Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.

Proverbs 12:25

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The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

Proverbs 14:1

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An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.

Proverbs 18:1

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A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.

Proverbs 13:17

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A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.

Proverbs 18:16

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The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

Proverbs 15:3

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A foolish child is a father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like the constant dripping of a leaky roof.

Proverbs 19:13

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Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.

Proverbs 16:32

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One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

Proverbs 11:24

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A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 15:13

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Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.

Proverbs 12:24

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The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.

Proverbs 15:27

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Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong! Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.

Proverbs 20:22

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Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.

Proverbs 16:8

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The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.

Proverbs 13:9

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A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.

Proverbs 10:23

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A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.

Proverbs 11:13

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To End…

If you enjoyed the Proverbs above feel free to check out other Proverbs we have collected and compiled here and here. 

Remember, God and His Words can help you reshape your life so that you will be on the path of righteousness. 

-Torrance Church of Christ

A Comprehensive Analysis of the Parable of the Good Samaritan

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

The Book of Luke chapter 10 shares the account of a lawman who challenges Jesus. This particular man stood up and asked Jesus “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus countered the man by asking, “what is written in the law? How do you read it?” The man responded by paraphrasing both Deuteronomy 6:5:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

and Leviticus 19:18:

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

Jesus assured the man that he was correct, and let him know that if he were to follow those teachings he would receive eternal life. But the man was not satisfied, he felt the need to question Jesus further. As a means of personal justification, the man asked, “who is my neighbor?”

Jesus thought it best to teach this man a valuable lesson in the form of a parable. He went on to illustrate a story about a man who found himself in an unfortunate circumstance. This man had been traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho when a band of robbers stripped him of his clothes, beat him, and left him for dead on the side of the road. 

As the man lay there dying, on two separate occasions, two holy men, a priest, and a Levite happened to come along. Neither of the men stopped to help the hurt man, instead, they opted to cross the road and continue on their way. But then a Samaritan who was traveling down the road saw the man and went out of his way to help him. The Samaritan bandaged the stranger's wounds, carefully loaded him onto his donkey, and took him into town where he secured a room for the man at the local inn where he nursed the man back to health. The next day, the Samaritan paid the innkeeper and requested the innkeeper to watch over the man, and promised he would be back and reimburse the innkeeper for all additional expenses. 

Once finished presenting His tale, Jesus asked the law expert:

 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

Luke 10:36

To which:

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Luke 10:37

Let’s Unpack

At first glance, the lesson in Parable of the Good Samaritan may seem pretty obvious: Doesn’t matter who it is, help others and love everyone. But there is more to it than that, so let’s get into it. 

What is a Samaritan?

The word Samaritan is used to describe a person from Samaria which was a territory just north of Judea in Northern Jerusalem. 

The Moderately Abridged History of the Contempt Between The Jews and Samaritans

When Israel divided, Samaria was within the boundaries of the northern kingdom of Israel, while Judea became the southern kingdom. Both of the kingdoms were led by corrupt rulers. Because of this, wickedness spread across the kingdoms. 

God warned His followers to repent and turn away from their immoral ways. The Jews in the southern kingdom found themselves at an advantage, as the temple was within their boundary. 

As descendants from the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, Samaritans deemed themselves as the true followers of the original Mosaic religion. The Samaritans built their site of worship on Mount Gerizim. They opposed the beliefs and religion of the Jews from Judea. 

Sin continued to metastasize throughout the kingdoms, and the people proceeded to shut their eyes to God’s warnings. Because of this, around 721 B.C., the northern kingdom of Israel was overthrown by the Assyrian Empire. Assyrian Pagan Gentiles relocated to the area and soon after, the natives began to intermarry with the Gentiles. Consequently, the offspring produced from these marriages considered themselves Jews.

However, the Jews in Judea unquestionably disagreed. Animosity grew between the Samaritans and those in Judea. Not only did the Judeans not agree with how Samaritans practiced Judaism, but they began to refer to Samarians as mongrels; considering them inferior because they were half Gentile. 

The southern kingdom met its forewarned destruction in 585 B.C. The southern kingdom of Judea was conquered by the Babylonian Empire. The walls of Jerusalem and the temple fell to rubble. Many of the residents were sent to Babylon. 

70 years later, Babylon was defeated by the Medes and the Persians. Even though many of the previous residents of Jerusalem had new lives, they were encouraged to return home and rebuild the temple. Many of them did. 

As the construction of the new temple began, the people from the original northern kingdom offered their help to build the temple saying:

 “Let us help you build because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.”

Ezra 4:1

The southern Israelites denied the help:

“You have no part with us in building a temple to our God. We alone will build it for the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, commanded us.”

Ezra 4:2

This angered the Samaritans and others in the northern kingdom. Out of spite, they put together a resistance to impede the construction of the temple by petitioning the Persian kings. Ultimately, the Samaritans did not prevent the temple from being rebuilt, they just threw up some additional roadblocks. They ended up building their own temple on Mount Gerizim. But, subsequently, the pre-existing bad blood amplified. 

Approximately in 332 B.C., Alexander the Great vanquished the land and as a result, the land fell under Greek rule. At this time, the Samaritans cooperated with the Greeks, while the Jews rebelled; choosing to remain loyal to Persia. During this time, the Samaritans even denied being Jewish so they would be more readily accepted by their Greek counterparts. 

In 113 B.C., conflict once again peaked when the Jews demolished the Samaritan temple on Mount Gerizim. This only fueled the hatred. 

By the time Jesus was born, the long-seeded loathing had been plagued with deceitful and malicious misdeeds spanning over generations. 

The Justification of the Lawman  

In Luke 10:25, the lawman asked Jesus:

“Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

When the lawman first posed his question, (“what must I do”) he seemingly eluded God’s laws by implying that inheriting eternal life is achievable of his own accord. Jesus immediately thwarted the man’s attempt by bringing the law into the conversation. Still attempting to justify himself, the man confronted Jesus once again, seeking out the answer to who does not count as a neighbor, and who does he not have to love. After all, the man wouldn’t be expected to love sinners, right? Wrong! However, if Jesus were to specify who, the man could keep the options to a minimum and ultimately modify the law by stating that he does love the people who do count. 

The Justification of the Two Holy Men

In the Parable, first, a priest encounters the hurt man. It is widely familiar knowledge that a priest refers to a religious leader. But do you know why a Levite is considered a holy man?

1 Chronicles 23:1-5 reads:

When David was old and full of years, he made his son Solomon king over Israel.

He also gathered together all the leaders of Israel, as well as the priests and Levites. The Levites thirty years old or more were counted, and the total number of men was thirty-eight thousand. David said, “Of these, twenty-four thousand are to be in charge of the work of the temple of the Lord and six thousand are to be officials and judges. Four thousand are to be gatekeepers and four thousand are to praise the Lord with the musical instruments I have provided for that purpose.”

So, both the priests and Levites were temple workers. This fact implicates the underlying reasoning behind the men’s justification of why they neglected to help the man on the side of the road. Per the requirements of the job, men working in the temple were expected to maintain cleanliness. Helping a wounded man could prove to be detrimental in this regard. Leviticus 21 provides great insight as to the priest’s and Levite’s obligations:

The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them: ‘A priest must not make himself ceremonially unclean for any of his people who die, except for a close relative, such as his mother or father, his son or daughter, his brother,  or an unmarried sister who is dependent on him since she has no husband—for her he may make himself unclean.

Leviticus 21:1-3

He must not enter a place where there is a dead body. He must not make himself unclean, even for his father or mother

Leviticus 21:11

Justifying their actions, both men paid no attention to their neighbor (or, per Matthew 22, the second greatest of all the commandments) and thought it more important to keep clean so they could perform their religious responsibilities. 

The Entirety of the Lessons From the Parable

+Consult Your Bible- Despite the lawman’s efforts to rationalize his actions, the first place he turned was to God's teachings when Jesus asked him, “what is written in the law? How do you read it?” Always turn to God and His teachings first. 

+Strive to Comprehend What You Read- Seek out the deeper meaning from the messages. Make sure you are not improperly comprehending the message so that it fits your narrative. The lawman knew that he was commanded to love everybody, but he thought, “surely, not everybody counts as everybody.”

+Listen Intently to God’s Teachings- When you listen and absorb His teachings, you are opening the doorway to beneficial spiritual guidance and growth. 

+Eliminate Justification From Your Life- God sees all your actions, he knows your heart. Justifying yourself doesn’t help you in any form. Not only does God know your true intentions, but making justifications prevents personal growth. 

+Be Responsive and Hospitable- Respond with love and compassion to those needing help. If you can, go beyond the bare minimum of support. The Good Samaritan could have only bandaged the man up, but he did more- he took him to the inn. The Good Samaritan could have paid for the one night at the inn, but he did more- he paid the innkeeper for more time and for his help to oversee the man and promised to repay him for any additional expenses. The Good Samaritan exceeded any expectations. 

+Don’t Expect Things in Return- Yes, if you follow the example of the Good Samaritan, you will be blessed. Nonetheless, it is important that you do not help others because there are deep-rooted motivations and factors driving you to do so. You need to love and help others because you see their value, you want to aid them, and you want to build them up. 

+Steer Clear of Intolerance and Discrimination- Jesus used the Samaritan as an example to jolt those who were listening. Samaritans were viewed as lesser beings and they were despised by the Jews. They were seen as faithless half-breeds who were untrustworthy and unsuitable to be treated civilly. Yet, in a shocking turn of events, Jesus reveals that the Good Samaritan was the good guy, he was the only one upholding God’s law. 

+Be Humble and Receptive- After Jesus relayed the Parable, the lawman conceded that the Good Samaritan was the man who had been a true neighbor to the hurt man. By doing so, the lawman acknowledged his faulty judgment and showed a willingness to learn and challenge his thinking. 

+Act on God's Words- The last piece of wisdom that Jesus grants the lawman is, “go and do likewise.” Jesus is reiterating that if the lawman wants eternal life, he will need to meet the conditions by doing: inclusively, openly, unconditionally loving all. Words are great, but they need to be backed by your actions. 

Parallel of Jesus and the Good Samaritan

Now let’s jump into the symbolism of the Parable! 

A man (us) is wounded and beaten (by sin and evil).

A priest and Levite (religious leaders of the old covenants) are incapable of saving the wounded man. 

A Samaritan (Jesus) rescues the wounded man. 

The Samaritan takes the man to an inn (a Christian church). 

The Samaritan then delegates the responsibility and care of the wounded man over to the innkeeper (Christian leader).

The Samaritan promises the innkeeper that he will return (Christ’s return) and will be compensated for his faithful loyalty (the rapture). 

The Samaritan footed the bill, and all expenses were on him (the crucifixion). 

Plainly put, religious leaders and others of the time simply did not like Jesus. They belittled and mocked Him, questioned His ministry, and ended up condemning Him to death. In John 8:48 the Jews are vilifying Him:

The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?”

Equivalent to the Good Samaritan, all Samaritans, Jesus is persecuted. His miracles, guidance, and love are overlooked by those who hate Him, despite Him satisfying the law. Yet, he continues to show us mercy. 

The Fulfillment of a Prophecy 

Jesus knew that there wasn’t much time left in his Earthly calling. Even though he had ministered to a Samaritan woman in John 4, and healed the Samaritan leper in Luke 17 (the only one who came back to thank Him), He wanted to share His message with all of Samaria, but we see in Luke 9:51-56 that he was not welcomed:

As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them. Then he and his disciples went to another village.

In Acts chapter 1, Jesus shares with His disciples that they will be His witnesses in Samaria. In Acts 8:4-8, His prophecy was fulfilled:

Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.

Wrapping It Up

Take it upon yourself to take up every opportunity presented to be a Good Samaritan. Admittedly, at times, it will most definitely be difficult. Some days will be worse than others. There are some people who just irk us. But they are not any less deserving of God's love, or your love. If you stumble, that’s okay. God knows that we aren’t perfect. So, cling to Him and continue working toward change.

In order to inherit eternal life, we need to be obedient to Jesus’ teachings and follow His example. We need to submit ourselves to His Word, His Actions, and His Love. Ask yourself how you can be a good neighbor. By striving to become a Good Samaritan, we are striving to become Christlike. 

Read more about the Parables here

The Whole Passage

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Luke 10:25-37

The Parables of Jesus

What are Parables?

Parables are short stories that serve to illustrate profound moral messages and truths. 

Through evocative imagery, Jesus was able to convey impactful lessons and wisdom concerning the commitment of discipleship, the essence of Heaven, and the extent of God’s grace and severity, alongside other pertinent instructions.

Why did Jesus Teach in Parables?

At the time, only religious leaders and the scholarly were privileged to read and sermonize on God’s Word. Largely, the religious teachings took the form of lectures and grossly authorized misunderstanding and error. Jesus’s parables changed that dynamic. 

Jesus employed parables as an easy-to-understand and relatable method to convey His teachings to those who would listen and accept His doctrine. (Accept is a keyword.) This opened the gate for people from all walks of life to have access to His teachings.

His parables were unlike previous instructions. Not only were they rendered in a simpler format, but they were able to captivate and engage the audience. Those who listened and sought to understand enlisted their imagination. 

His parables provide applicable examples for His disciples on how to live their lives in accordance with His covenants. Those engrossed by His words were able to connect their personal experiences with His teachings. 

His parables are communicated in a way that allows His message to be conveniently circulated throughout different cultures, languages, and generations. 

Keyword: Accept

The following scriptures provide a deeper comprehension as to why Jesus taught with parables. 

The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. This is why I speak to them in parables:

“Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:

“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise, they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’” But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

Matthew 13:10-17

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When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables.  He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that,

“‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’”

Mark 4:10-12

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His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others, I speak in parables, so that,

“‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’”

Luke 8:9-10

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The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young- let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance-for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:1-7

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Jesus often taught to crowds of people. He didn’t discriminate against anyone- people from all walks of life were welcome to hear His messages. However, only His true followers were privy to accurately discern the meanings of His parables. Those who rejected Him remained perplexed and incapable of solving the riddle.

Tips and Tricks for Decoding Parables

• Identify the purpose- strive to discern the purpose behind the parable. Why does Jesus want us to know this information?
• Establish a complete understanding of the context- the context surrounding the parable grants a full picture and account of Jesus’s teachings. 
• Keep in mind the cultural differences between then and now- some customs, syntax, and metaphors in the parables may not be considered common knowledge by today’s standards. 
• Define the central basis- the majority of the parables have one central point. All of the details originate from this point. 
• Be sure to avoid adding emphasis on small details- sometimes small details are just that, small details. They don’t always supplement the meaning or purpose. 
• Acquire a basic knowledge of common figures and forms used throughout the Bible- there are various depictions used within the Bible to describe words or themes. An example of this is the word ‘sheep’ which refers to God’s followers. 
• Take considerable note of the ending- this is where the crucial revelations are unveiled. 

The Parables 

***Below, we’ve categorized the parables. Because of this, you may notice some of the parables are listed more than once. Several of the parables don’t fit into just a single category. ***

Parables About the Kingdom of God

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The Parable of the Growing Seed

Passage: Mark 4:26–29

Setting: Jesus is teaching a large crowd by a lake. 

Message: Good and evil are always growing. Be wary of your choices and actions. Faith can only grow with the help of God. 

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The Parable of the Great Banquet

Passage: Luke 14:15–24

Setting: Jesus is dining at the Pharisee’s house. He is sitting at a table with other dinner guests. 

Message: The Kingdom of Heaven is a gift. Make Him a priority and do what must be done in order to join Him. 

READ MORE! Read about the banquet parables here.

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The Parable of the Wedding Banquet

Passage: Matthew 22:1–14

Setting: Jesus is speaking with a large crowd congregating outside of the temple. The priests are questioning Jesus’s authority. 

Message: Everyone is invited to join God in His Kingdom, but only the obedient will be included. 

READ MORE! Read about the banquet parables here.

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The Parable of the Leaven

Passage: Matthew 13:33, Luke 13:20–21

Setting: Jesus is teaching a large crowd by a lake.

Message: God’s Word will change the hearts of those willing to accept it. This change will bring on the transformation of God’s Kingdom. 

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The Parable of the Net

Passage: Matthew 13:47–50

Setting: Jesus is teaching a large crowd by a lake.

Message: True followers of the Lord will be separated from the wicked. The wicked will not be permitted entrance into God’s Eternal Kingdom. 

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The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

Passage: Matthew 13:44–46

Setting: Jesus is teaching a large crowd by a lake.

Message: The Kingdom of God is of significant value. It is worth giving up mortal possessions and desires for. 

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The Parable of the Mustard Seed

Passage: Matthew 13:31–32, Mark 4:30–32, Luke 13:18–19

Setting: Jesus is teaching a large crowd by a lake. 

Message: The Kingdom of God is magnificent. 

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The Parable of the Weeds and the Wheat

Passage: Matthew 13:24–30, Matthew 13:36–43

Setting: Jesus is teaching a large crowd by a lake.

Message: Evil grows among good. Be careful and steadfast, and stay close to the Lord. 

Learn more! Read “Messages Embedded Within The Parable of The Weeds and The Wheat.”

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The Parable of the Sower

Passage: Matthew 13:3–23, Mark 4:3–20, Luke 8:5–15

Setting: Jesus is teaching a large crowd by a lake. 

Message: Everybody receives God’s teachings, but the teachings will fall upon those who are unwilling to understand. 

Read More! Read The Parable about Parables Here!

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The Parable of the Homeowner

Passage: Matthew 13:52

Setting: Jesus is teaching a large crowd by a lake.

Message: True disciples of Christ are trained leaders and examples who are able to accurately interpret the Word of God. 

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The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats

Passage: Matthew 25:31–46

Setting: Jesus is warning His disciples about the end of days. 

Message: Be generous and take on any opportunity to serve others. 

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Parables About Love and Forgiveness

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The Parable of the Good Samaritan

Passage: Luke 10:30–37

Setting: An expert in the law asked Jesus how he could inherit eternal life. Jesus responded but the man further inquired and asked Jesus who counts as a “neighbor” that he is supposed to love. 

Message: We are commanded to love everyone, despite transgressions and feelings others may be harboring. 

Learn More! Read More about The Good Samaritan

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The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

Passage: Matthew 18:21–35

Setting: Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive someone. 

Message: We must always forgive those who have done wrong against us. 

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The Parable of the Moneylender

Passage: Luke 7:40–43

Setting: A sinner uses her hair, tears, and perfume to anoint Jesus’s feet. Jesus was questioned as to why He would allow a sinner such as her to touch Him. 

Message: God shows mercy to those seeking redemption. 

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Parables About Loss and Redemption

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The Parable of the Prodigal Son

Passage: Luke 15:11–32

Setting: Jesus is teaching a crowd of tax collectors, Pharisees, and sinners. The crowd of people were muttering and spiteful. 

Message: If we seek it, God is always willing to forgive and blanket us in His Grace. 

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The Parable of the Lost Coin

Passage: Luke 15:8–10

Setting: Jesus is teaching a crowd of tax collectors, Pharisees, and sinners. The crowd of people were muttering and spiteful. 

Message: God rejoices over all who repent and come back among the fold. 

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The Parable of the Lost Sheep and the Parable of the Wandering Sheep

Passage: Matthew 18:12–14, Luke 15:1–7 

Setting: Although the message in these parables is similar, the circumstances differ. In the Parable of the Wandering Sheep, Jesus is speaking with His disciples. They ask Jesus who is the greatest in Heaven. In the Parable of the Lost Sheep, Jesus is teaching a crowd of tax collectors, Pharisees, and sinners. The crowd of people were muttering and spiteful. 

Message: God’s Grace and love do not discriminate. 

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The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard

Passage: Matthew 20:1–16

Setting: Jesus is teaching to a crowd in Judea. 

Message: God is right and just in blessing those who followed His Word for years or for a week as he sees fit. 

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Parables About The End Times

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The Parable of the Returning Owner

Passage: Matthew 24:45-51, Mark 13:34–37, Luke 12:35-38, Luke 12:42–48

Setting: Jesus warns His disciples about the end of days. 

Message: Always be watchful, for you do not know when Christ will return. 

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The Parable of the Thief in the Night

Passage: Matthew 24:42-44

Setting: Jesus warns His disciples about the end of days.

Message: Prepare yourself for Christ’s return. Continue to be watchful.  

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The Parable of the Ten Virgins

Passage: Matthew 25:1–13

Setting: Jesus warns His disciples about the end of days. 

Message: Prepare yourself for Christ’s return. 

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The Parable of the Great Banquet

Passage: Luke 14:15–24

Setting: Jesus is dining at the Pharisee’s house. He is sitting at a table with other dinner guests. 

Message: The Kingdom of Heaven is a gift. Make Him a priority and do what must be done in order to join Him. 

READ MORE! Read about the banquet parables here.

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The Parable of the Wedding Banquet

Passage: Matthew 22:1–14

Setting: Jesus is speaking with a large crowd congregating outside of the temple. The priests are questioning Jesus’s authority. 

Message: Everyone is invited to join God in His Kingdom, but only the obedient will be included. 

READ MORE! Read about the banquet parables here.

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The Parable of the Rich Fool

Passage: Luke 12:16–21

Setting: Jesus is speaking with a large crowd. 

Message: Material earthly greed is counterproductive to achieving eternal wealth. 

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The Parable of the Tenants

Passage: Matthew 21:33–46, Mark 12:1–12, Luke 20:9–19

Setting: Jesus is speaking with a large crowd congregating outside of the temple. The priests are questioning Jesus’s authority. 

Message: God’s Kingdom is reserved for those who are pure in heart and true followers of Him. 

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The Parable of the Net

Passage: Matthew 13:47–50

Setting: Jesus is teaching a large crowd by a lake.

Message: True followers of the Lord will be separated from the wicked. The wicked will not be permitted entrance into God’s Eternal Kingdom. 

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The Parable of the Weeds and the Wheat

Passage: Matthew 13:24–30, Matthew 13:36–43

Setting: Jesus is teaching a large crowd by a lake.

Message: Evil grows among good. Be careful and steadfast, and stay close to the Lord. 

Learn more! Read “Messages Embedded Within The Parable of The Weeds and The Wheat.”

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The Parable of the Budding Fig Tree

Passage: Matthew 24:32–35, Mark 13:28–31, Luke 21:29–33

Setting: Jesus is warning His disciples about the end of days. 

Message: Jesus reveals the signs of the end. 

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The Parable of the Unfruitful Fig Tree

Passage: Luke 13:6–9

Setting: A crowd has gathered and members of the crowd informed Jesus about the misfortune that fell upon some Galileans. The individuals in the crowd implied that the Galileans met their fate as a form of judgment. 

Message: We need to act fast and repent of our sins. 

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The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats

Passage: Matthew 25:31–46

Setting: Jesus warns His disciples about the end of days. 

Message: Be generous and take on any opportunity to serve others. 

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The Parable of the Two Sons

Passage: Matthew 21:28–32

Setting: Jesus is speaking with a large crowd congregating outside of the temple. The priests are questioning Jesus’s authority. 

Message: It is imperative that our words are aligned with our actions. God is all-knowing. 

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The Parable of the Talents/Minas and The Parable of the Bags of Gold

Passage: Matthew 25:14–30, Luke 19:12–27

Setting: Jesus is warning His disciples about the end of days. 

Message: Utilize and grow the gifts God has provided you. Minister to others with the resources that have been graciously bestowed upon you.

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Parables About Prayer

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The Parable of the Friend at Night

Passage: Luke 11:5–10

Setting: Jesus’s disciples ask Him to teach them how to pray. 

Message: God hears and answers our prayers. 

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The Parable of the Persistent Widow

Passage: Luke 18:2–8

Setting: Jesus teaches His disciples about the importance of consistency in prayer. 

Message: Be consistent and unyielding in prayer. 

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The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Passage: Luke 18:9–14

Setting: Jesus warns those who are arrogant. 

Message: Humble yourself in your heart, before others,  and before the Lord. 

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Parables About the New Covenant 

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The Parables of New Cloth and New Wineskins

Passage: Matthew 9:16–17, Mark 2:21–22, Luke 5:36–38

Setting: Jesus is speaking to John the Baptist's disciples. They ask Jesus why the  Pharisees fast but He and His disciples do not. 

Message: There are notable differences between the New Covenant and the Old Covenant. 

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The Parable of the Homeowner

Passage: Matthew 13:52

Setting: Jesus is teaching a large crowd by a lake.

Message: True disciples of Christ are trained leaders and examples who are able to accurately interpret the Word of God. 

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Parables About Generosity

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The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

Passage: Luke 16:19–31

Setting: Jesus is speaking to his disciples. Nearby Pharisees overhear and mock Jesus. 

Message: Mortal wealth and greed does not earn you a place in Heaven. 

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The Parable of the Shrewd Manager

Passage: Luke 16:1–9

Setting: Jesus is speaking to his disciples. Nearby Pharisees overhear and mock Jesus. 

Message: Live your life in stewardship and generosity.

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The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats

Passage: Matthew 25:31–46

Setting: Jesus is warning His disciples about the end of days. 

Message: Be generous and take on any opportunity to serve others. 

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The Parable of the Luncheon for the Poor

Passage: Luke 14:12-14

Setting: Jesus is dining at the Pharisee’s house. He is sitting at a table with other dinner guests. 

Message: Treat and serve those who are facing challenges and going without. 

READ MORE! Read about the banquet parables here.

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Parables About Faith 

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The Parable of the Lamp Stand/ The Parable of the Lamp of the Body

Passage: Matthew 5:14–16, Mark 4:21–25, Luke 8:16-18, Luke 11:33-36

Setting: Jesus is teaching a large crowd by a lake. 

Message: Do not keep your light (faith) hidden. Share it. Those who possess a willingness to understand will be enlightened. 

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The Parable of Counting the Cost

Passage: Luke 14:28–33

Setting: Jesus is walking with a large crowd and speaking with them. 

Message: Jesus emphasizes the requirement to be a true disciple. 

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The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders

Passage: Matthew 7:24–27, Luke 6:47–49

Setting: Jesus is speaking with a large crowd during the sermon on the mount. 

Message: Build your foundation upon His words and teachings. 

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The Parable of the Talents/Minas and The Parable of the Bags of Gold

Passage: Matthew 25:14–30, Luke 19:12–27

Setting: Jesus is warning His disciples about the end of days. 

Message: Utilize and grow the gifts God has provided you. Minister to others with the resources that have been graciously bestowed upon you.

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The Parable of the Two Sons

Passage: Matthew 21:28–32

Setting: Jesus is speaking with a large crowd congregating outside of the temple. The priests are questioning Jesus’s authority. 

Message: It is imperative that our words are aligned with our actions. God is all-knowing. 

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Parables About Humility

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The Parable of the Embarrassed Guest

Passage: Luke 14:7–11

Setting: Jesus is dining at the Pharisee’s house. He is sitting at a table with other dinner guests. 

Message: Be humble. Always. 

READ MORE! Read about the banquet parables here.

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The Parable of the Master and the Servant

Passage: Luke 17:7–10

Setting: Jesus is speaking to his disciples. His apostles asked Him to increase their faith. His response was to share the parable. 

Message: God provides us with everything. He owes us nothing. By obeying Him, we are simply doing what is required of us and shouldn’t expect anything in return. 

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In Closing

Jesus used parables to convey vital messages and details about His Gospel. By presenting His truth by route of parables, listeners were able to absorb His teachings by being actively engaged through their imagination and familiarity. However, the significance of His parables was lost to those whose hearts were not in the right place. This opened the door to separate the wheat from the weeds, so to speak. 

Although they were told long ago, the eternal truths enclosed within each parable are relevant to our lives today. The parables are another source you can turn to and study to further evolve your knowledge and faith. 

-Torrance Church of Christ