Parables

The following parables are found in three of the four gospels:

The Lamp under a Bushel -- Matthew 5:14-15 -- Mark 4:21-25 -- Luke 8:16-18

New Wine into Old Wine skins -- Matthew 9:17-17 -- Mark 2:21-22 -- Luke 5:37-39

Parable of the strong man -- Matthew 12:29-29 -- Mark 3:27-27 -- Luke 11:21-22

Parable of the Sower -- Matthew 13:3-9 -- Mark 4:3-9 -- Luke 8:5-8

Parable of the Mustard Seed -- Matthew 13:31-32 -- Mark 4:30-32 -- Luke 13:18-19

The Wicked Husbandmen -- Matthew 21:33-41 -- Mark 12:1-9 -- Luke 20:9-16

The Budding Fig Tree -- Matthew 24:32-35 -- Mark 13:28-31 -- Luke 21:29-33

The Faithful Servant -- Matthew 24:42-51 -- Mark 13:34-37 -- Luke 12:35-48

The story of The Parable of the Good Samaritan, found in the Gospel of Luke, involves a man who is beaten and left for dead on the side of the road. A priest and a Levite both pass by without helping, but a Samaritan stops to care for the injured man, highlighting the importance of compassion and kindness towards those in need regardless of societal or cultural differences.

As Hooper got older, he began wearing a black veil in public, leading the community to refer to him as "the minister's black veil." The veil symbolized hidden sins and secrets that everyone carries, causing unease and curiosity among the townspeople. Hooper's refusal to remove the veil heightened the mystery surrounding his true reasons for wearing it.

In "The Minister's Black Veil," the pale-faced congregation symbolizes the sense of guilt and sin that the minister's veil brings to light. The reactions of the townspeople reflect their own hidden sins and the discomfort of confronting them. The contrast between the minister concealed behind the veil and the congregation's exposed faces highlights the themes of secret sin and judgment.

Jesus said that He spoke in parables to hide the meaning from the self-righteous but to make known the mystery of the kingdom to His own. There is something special about the Parable of the Ten Virgins that many might. He wanted to hide its meaning to those who thought they had a special relationship with God because of their being the children of Abraham but Jesus never taught about salvation belonging to a race but about salvation being about grace. Even so, "They answered him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham" (John 8:39) "And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham" (Matt 3:9). Making them even angrier Jesus said "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires" (John 8:44). Jesus always spoke the truth but they were blinded and again, that is part of the reason that Jesus spoke to them in parables like the Parable of the 10 Virgins, so here is a personal view of this parable that you may have a different opinion on and if so, please chime in on what you think this parable means.

Both stories teach about forgiveness and mercy. In the parable of the Samaritan, a man showed compassion and help to a stranger in need, while in the story of the prodigal son, the father forgave his son and welcomed him back home despite his past mistakes. Both stories emphasize the importance of showing kindness and forgiveness towards others.

The use of parables to teach religious concepts.

This parable was told in answer to two questions: what shall I do to inherit eternal life (Lke 10:25a) ? and who is my neighbour (Luke 10:29b)? Through this parable Jesus showed the true spiritual nature of Israel at that time.

The robbery-victim (almost certainly a Jew) lay half dead on the road to Jericho. The Jewish priest and Levite refused to help; perhaps they feared it was a plot, or were afraid that they too might be robbed if they tarried. It was a hated Samaritan who came to the rescue, who applied first aid, who took the victim to an inn, and who made provision for his care. To the Samaritan, a Jew in need was his neighbor.

Then Jesus asked the question. Which of the three proved neighbor to the helpless man? The one who showed mercy, of course. Then the one who asked the questions should go and do likewise.

We can see in the priest and Levite a picture of the powerlessness of the law to help the dead sinner; the law commanded "Love your neighbor as yourself" but it did not give the power to obey. The priest and the Levite could be said to represent the nation of Israel who failed to keep God's law. Also we can identify the good Samaritan with the Lord Jesus who came to where we were, saved us from our sins, and made full provision for us from earth to heaven and through all eternity. Priests and Levites may disappoint us but the Good Samaritan never does.

The story of the good Samaritan started off to answer the question "Who is my neighbor?" But it ended by posing the question "To whom do you prove yourself a neighbour?"

The parable was told because of the attitudes of two groups of Israelites - the scribes and Pharisees. The Pharisees carefully carried out the rituals of the law while the scribe were the interpreters of the law. Both of these groups were self righteous and rejected Jesus. This parable along with the parables of the lost coin and the lost son, are rebukes to the scribes and Pharisees.

The lost refers to people of the nation of Israel.

Jesus primarily came to Israel to call them to repent:

Mat 15:24 But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

Mat 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans.

Mat 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

The only gospel that includes Jesus' parables about the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son is the Gospel of Luke. These parables emphasize the themes of repentance, forgiveness, and God's unending love for humanity.

The audience in the parable of the rich fool in the Bible were likely Jesus' disciples and other listeners present when he taught this lesson. The parable teaches about the dangers of greed and the importance of prioritizing spiritual values over material wealth.

The Gospel of John focuses more on poetic and symbolic language to convey its messages rather than using parables like the other Gospels. John's emphasis is on revealing Jesus as the divine Son of God and exploring the meaning of faith through stories and encounters rather than traditional parables.

One example of irony in "God Sees the Truth, But Waits" is when Aksionov's wife constantly reassures him of her trust and love, only for her to eventually betray him. Another example is Aksionov's unwavering faith in God's justice and his eventual realization that justice may not come in his lifetime, despite believing in God's omniscience.

Slaves did not wear sandals so maybe by giving his son sandals the father is saying he accepts his son as a son not a servant.

It seems the lost son came home bare footed maybe his feet were sore from travel and maybe the shoes made it easier for him.

Some people say the sandals represent the christian's feet shod with the gospel of peace. I think this parable is not about lost people coming to God but about the nation of Israel coming to God so the gospel of peace interpretation is not correct.

Makar Semyonich is characterized as a wise and humble old merchant who has experienced hardship and regret in his life. He displays compassion and understanding towards others, offering forgiveness and redemption to those who have wronged him. His peaceful demeanor and resilience in the face of adversity make him a symbol of hope and an example of inner strength.

The robe symbolizes the forgiveness and acceptance of the prodigal son by his father. It represents a fresh start and being welcomed back into the family with love and grace. It signifies a new identity and status in the family.

It is believed that Jesus told around 35 parables during his ministry though they vary in number depending on the source. Of these 35 parables Jesus only gave explanations for 10 of them. These parables with explanations are as follows:

• Parable of the Sower
• Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds
• Parable of the Mustard Seed
• Parable of the Hidden Treasure
• Parable of the Pearl of Great Price
• Parable of the Dragnet
• Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
• Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
• Parable of the Good Samaritan
• Parable of the Ten Virgins

These parables and their explanations can be found in the Bible in the books of Matthew Mark and Luke.

The parable of the rainbow colors is a story by Juan M. Flavier about cooperation and diversity, often used in leadership and teamwork discussions. It can be found in some of his books on leadership, health, and social issues. You may also find it in online resources discussing teamwork and diversity.

Estevan's parable in "The Bean Trees" serves as a metaphor for the quest for freedom and the pursuit of happiness. Through the story of the caged bird that learns to sing, Estevan conveys the idea that one can find liberation by embracing their own voice and identity, even in the face of adversity. The parable highlights the themes of resilience, self-discovery, and the power of individual agency.

The Growing SeedMark 4:26-29

The Lamp under a BushelMark 4:21-25

New Wine into Old WineskinsMark 2:21-22

Parable of the strong manMark 3:27-27

Parable of the SowerMark 4:3-9

Parable of the Mustard Seed Mark 4:30-32

The Wicked HusbandmenMark 12:1-9

The Budding Fig TreeMark 13:28-31

The Faithful ServantMark 13:34-37

Parables are typically succinct stories that convey moral or spiritual teachings. Common concerns across parables include the importance of compassion, kindness, humility, forgiveness, and the consequences of one's actions. They often highlight universal truths and offer guidance on how to live a virtuous life.

Parables typically convey a moral or spiritual lesson through a simple story or analogy. They often involve a familiar situation or imagery to help listeners easily grasp the deeper meaning being conveyed. Parables encourage reflection, self-examination, and a shift in perspective or behavior.