How Many Parables Are in the Bible

The Bible contains a treasure trove of teachings, and it uses parables as one of its most powerful forms of communication. Simple yet profound stories, parables often illustrate complex moral and spiritual lessons.They have been an essential part of Christian teachings for centuries, and many of them come directly from Jesus Christ, who used parables to explain the mysteries of the Kingdom of God.

As readers of the Bible, one might wonder just how many parables there really are. The number varies, with some sources counting as few as 35 and others listing over 100.To gain a deeper understanding of the Christian faith, one must understand the role of parables in the Bible and how they are spread across different books.

In this post, we will explore how many parables are in the Bible, break them down by book, and look at some of the most famous examples. We’ll also dive into the authorship and composition of these biblical texts, giving readers a comprehensive view of these impactful stories.

How Many Parables are in the Bible?

The Bible contains a significant number of parables, which are short stories or allegories used to convey moral or spiritual lessons. While the exact number can vary depending on the interpretation, most scholars agree that there are around 30 to 40 parables in the New Testament, primarily told by Jesus in the Gospels.

These parables are found across the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Among these, Matthew contains 23 parables, Mark has 8, and Luke features the most with 24 parables. John does not include any parables but focuses on other types of teachings.

The parables of Jesus are rich in meaning, often using everyday situations to communicate deep truths about the Kingdom of God, love, forgiveness, and faith. Their simplicity and vivid imagery have made them enduring lessons for Christians and others throughout history.

what is Parables ?

A parable is a short, simple story used to convey a moral lesson or a deeper truth. Parables often use everyday situations and characters to illustrate principles, values, or lessons about life, human nature, or society. The key difference between a parable and a fable is that parables usually feature human characters, while fables often use animals or objects to convey the message.

For example, in many religious texts, like the Bible, parables are used to teach important lessons. One famous example is the Parable of the Good Samaritan, which teaches kindness and helping others regardless of differences.

List of Parables In the Bible

Agreeing with Your Adversary

  • Found in Matthew 5:21-26
Agreeing With Your Adversary

Ask, Seek, Knock

  • Found in Matthew 7:7-12 and Luke 11:9-13

Barren Fig Tree

  • Found in Luke 13:6-9

Become as Little Children

  • Found in Matthew 18:1-9, Mark 10:14-16, and Luke 18:16

Blind Leading the Blind

  • Found in Matthew 15:13-14 and Luke 6:39-42
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Boiling Pot and Its Scum

  • Found in Ezekiel 24:3-5

Bridegroom and Children of the Bridechamber

  • Found in Matthew 9:15, Mark 2:19-20, and Luke 5:34-35

Children in the Marketplace

  • Found in Matthew 11:16-19 and Luke 7:31-32

Dead Bury the Dead

  • Found in Luke 9:60

Dishonest Steward

  • Found in Luke 16:1-13
Dishonest Steward

Drunkard

  • Found in Proverbs 23:29-35

Dry Bones in the Valley

  • Found in Ezekiel 37:1-15

Elijah Must Come

  • Found in Matthew 17:10-13

Escaped Prisoner

  • Found in 1 Kings 20:35-43

Eye of the Needle

  • Found in Matthew 19:23-24 and Mark 10:23-27

Foxes Have Holes

  • Found in Matthew 8:20 and Luke 9:58

Fruit Tree

  • Found in Matthew 7:15-20, Matthew 12:33-37, and Luke 6:43-45

God’s Vineyard (The Unfruitful Vineyard)

  • Found in Isaiah 5:1-6

Good Samaritan

  • Found in Luke 10:25-37

Good Shepherd

  • Found in John 10:11-18

Great Eagles and the Vine

  • Found in Ezekiel 17:1-10

Guests and Wedding Host

  • Found in Luke 14:7-14

Hand to the Plow

  • Found in Luke 9:62

Harvest is Great

  • Found in Matthew 9:37-38 and Luke 10:1-2

Hidden Treasure

  • Found in Matthew 13:44

House Divided (Beelzebub)

  • Found in Matthew 12:25-28, Mark 3:20-30, and Luke 11:17-20
  • Found in Ezekiel 5:1-17

King of the Trees

  • Found in Judges 9:8-15

Laborers in the Vineyard

  • Found in Matthew 20:1-16

Lesson of the Fig Tree

  • Found in Matthew 24:32-35, Mark 13:28-31, and Luke 21:29-33

Leaven (Yeast) in the Meal

  • Found in Matthew 13:33 and Luke 13:20-21

Light (Candle) Under a Basket

  • Found in Matthew 5:14-16, Mark 4:21-23, and Luke 8:16-18
Light Candle Under A Basket

Light of the Body

  • Found in Matthew 6:22-23 and Luke 11:34-36

Linen Waistcloth

  • Found in Jeremiah 13:1-11

Living Waters

  • Found in Ezekiel 47:1-12

Lost Coin

  • Found in Luke 15:8-10

Lost Sheep

  • Found in Matthew 18:12-14 and Luke 15:3-7

Mustard Seed

  • Found in Matthew 13:31-32, Mark 4:30-32, and Luke 13:18-20

Net (Dragnet)

  • Found in Matthew 13:47-50

New Cloth on Old Garment

  • Found in Matthew 9:16, Mark 2:21, and Luke 5:36

Old and New Wine Bottles

  • Found in Matthew 9:17, Mark 2:22, and Luke 5:37-39

Pearl of Great Price

  • Found in Matthew 13:45-46

Pearls to the Swine

  • Found in Matthew 7:6

Pharisee and the Tax Collector

  • Found in Luke 18:9-14

Plowman (Good out of Evil)

  • Found in Isaiah 28:23-29

Poor Man’s Ewe Lamb

  • Found in 2 Samuel 12:1-4

Poor Wise Man

  • Found in Ecclesiastes 9:14-18
Poor Wise Man

Potter

  • Found in Jeremiah 18:1-10

Prodigal Son

  • Found in Luke 15:11-32

Parable of the Good Samaritan

This parable tells the story of a compassionate Samaritan who helps a man who has been attacked and left on the road, while others, including a priest and a Levite, pass by without offering help. It highlights the importance of loving one’s neighbor, regardless of differences.

Found in:

  • Luke 10:25-37

Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders

In this parable, Jesus compares a wise builder who constructs his house on a solid rock foundation with a foolish builder who builds on sand. When storms come, the house on rock stands firm, symbolizing the strength of a life built on Jesus’ teachings.

Found in:

  • Matthew 7:24-27
  • Luke 6:46-49

Parable of the Prodigal Son

Parable Of The Prodigal Son

This well-known parable tells of a younger son who squanders his inheritance but returns to his father in repentance. The father welcomes him with open arms, illustrating God’s mercy and forgiveness toward those who repent and return to Him.

Found in:

  • Luke 15:11-32

Parable of the Sower

This parable recounts the story of a farmer sowing seeds over various types of terrain. Some seeds land on good soil, some among weeds, some on the road, etc. Only the seeds in good soil take root and grow, representing how the Gospel is received and nurtured in different hearts.

Found in:

  • Matthew 13:3-9
  • Mark 4:3-9
  • Luke 8:5-8
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Parable of the Lost Sheep

In this story, a shepherd leaves 99 sheep to search for one that is lost, symbolizing God’s deep care for each individual and His desire for the lost to be found.

Found in:

  • Matthew 18:12-14
  • Luke 15:3-7

Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

This parable tells of a servant who is forgiven a large debt by his master but refuses to forgive a small debt owed to him. It emphasizes the importance of showing mercy to others, just as God shows mercy to us.

Found in:

  • Matthew 18:21-35

Parable of the Sheep and the Goats

Sheep And The Goats

At the final judgment, people are separated like sheep (the righteous) and goats (the unrighteous) based on their actions toward the people  hungry, and needy, teaching that how we treat others reflects our relationship with God.

Found in:

  • Matthew 25:31-46

Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

In this parable, a Pharisee prays arrogantly about his righteousness, while a tax collector humbly asks for God’s mercy. Jesus teaches that humility and repentance lead to justification, while pride leads to condemnation.

Found in:

  • Luke 18:9-14

Variations in Count: From 35 to Over 100

The number of parables in the Bible is often debated. Some biblical scholars say there are about 35 parables, while others argue that the number is over 100 when including shorter parables, allegories, and other symbolic stories.

Why Are There Different Counts?

The key to understanding these variations lies in how one defines a “parable.” A parable is generally considered a simple, vivid story that uses familiar situations to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. However, there are other types of storytelling in the Bible, such as allegories or extended metaphors, which may or may not be classified as parables, depending on one’s interpretation.

For example, some parables in the Bible are quite short, while others, like the Parable of the Prodigal Son, are much longer and more detailed. This variation in length and style can influence how they are counted and categorized.

In general, when people refer to the number of parables in the Bible, they may be counting only the more clearly identified parables or including all forms of storytelling used by Jesus. For instance, in the Gospel of Matthew alone, there are 23 parables, but when combining the other gospels, the count may increase.

Breakdown by Book: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

Matthew Mark Luke And John

While the four Gospels of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) all contain parables, they differ in terms of the number of parables included. Here’s a closer look at how parables are distributed across each book.

The four Gospels of the New Testament—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—each include parables, but they differ in the number and variety. Here’s a breakdown of how parables are distributed across these books:

BookTotal ParablesUnique Parables
Matthew2311
Mark82
Luke2418
John00
  • Matthew features 23 parables, with 11 being unique to this Gospel.
  • Mark offers 8 parables, with just 2 that are exclusive to his Gospel.
  • Luke contains the most, with 24 parables, and 18 of them are found only in his account.
  • John, notably, does not contain any parables, focusing on long teachings and discourses about Jesus’ identity.

Parables in the Gospel of Matthew

The Gospel of Matthew contains many parables, and it is often considered the most comprehensive in terms of Jesus’ use of this teaching method. Some of the most famous parables found in Matthew include:

  • The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9)
  • The Parable of the Weeds (Matthew 13:24-30)

Parables in the Gospel of Mark

The Gospel of Mark contains fewer parables than Matthew, with about 8 distinct parables. Mark’s focus is more on the actions and miracles of Jesus, but the parables he includes are still powerful and insightful. Notable parables from Mark include:

  • The Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:3-9)
  • The Parable of the Mustard Seed (Mark 4:30-32)
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Mark presents the parables more concisely, with a focus on the immediate relevance of Jesus’ teachings to his audience.

Parables in the Gospel of Luke

The Gospel of Luke includes a significant number of parables, around 24 parables, many of which are unique to Luke. This Gospel contains some of the most well-known parables that Jesus told, such as:

  • The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37)
  • The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)

Parables in the Gospel of John

The Gospel of John is often different from the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) in terms of structure and style. It contains very few parables, often favoring direct teachings and discourses. John does not explicitly use the word “parable” as often, but he includes teachings that serve a similar purpose. Notable examples include:

  • The Parable of the Good Shepherd (John 10:11-18)
  • The Parable of the Vine and the Branches (John 15:1-8)

While these are not strictly parables in the traditional sense, they are stories with symbolic meanings that convey deep spiritual truths.

Authorship and Composition of the Bible

Various authors wrote the ancient texts that make up the Bible over many centuries. Four different authors—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—wrote the Gospels, which contain most of Jesus’ parables. Each author had a unique perspective and purpose, which influenced how they presented Jesus’ teachings, including parables.

The Role of the Gospel Writers

The Role Of The Gospel Writers
  • Matthew was a tax collector who wrote primarily for a Jewish audience. His Gospel emphasizes Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.
  • Luke was a physician who wrote for a broader audience, highlighting Jesus’ compassion and the inclusivity of his message.
  • John, the beloved disciple, focused on the divinity of Jesus and often used symbolic language rather than parables to explain spiritual truths.

Each Gospel writer’s unique perspective and audience influenced how the parables were presented and understood.

Notable Parables of Jesus

Some parables have had such a profound impact that they are considered central to understanding Jesus’ teachings. Here are two of the most well-known parables:

Parable of the Good Samaritan

The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) teaches the importance of loving one’s neighbor, regardless of social or ethnic divisions. In this story, a man is beaten and left by the side of the road, and several people pass by without helping. However, a Samaritan—a group despised by the Jews—stops and helps the man, demonstrating true compassion and love.

Parable of the Prodigal Son

The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) tells the story of a young man who asks his father for his inheritance, leaves home, and squanders his wealth in reckless living. After a time of hardship, he returns home, and his father welcomes him with open arms. This parable illustrates forgiveness, grace, and the unconditional love of God.

How Do Parables Help Us Understand the Teachings of Jesus?

Teachings of Jesus

Parables serve as a way to communicate deeper truths through simple, relatable stories. They often take everyday situations—such as farming, family life, or travel—and use them to teach profound lessons about God, human nature, and the Kingdom of Heaven.

By using parables, Jesus made his teachings more accessible, engaging, and memorable. His stories are timeless, allowing people across cultures and eras to understand and apply the principles he taught.

Parables offer rich lessons that speak to the heart, making complex spiritual truths easier to grasp. They teach us about kindness, forgiveness, faith, and how we should live in relationship with God and others.

Key Insight

Why did Jesus use parables?
Jesus used parables to communicate deep spiritual truths in a way that was easy for people to understand and remember.

How many parables are in the Gospel of Matthew?
The Gospel of Matthew contains 23 parables.

Are parables still relevant today?
Yes, the lessons in Jesus’ parables are timeless and continue to provide guidance and insight for people today.

What is the main purpose of the Parable of the Prodigal Son?
The main lesson of the Parable of the Prodigal Son is the power of forgiveness and the unconditional love of God.

Conclusion

Parables are a powerful tool for teaching moral and spiritual lessons, and they have remained a significant part of Christian tradition for thousands of years. While the number of parables in the Bible can vary depending on how one defines them, there are clearly many important stories that convey timeless truths.

From the Parable of the Good Samaritan to the Parable of the Prodigal Son, these stories continue to inspire and challenge us to live with love, compassion, and faith. By understanding the parables of Jesus, we gain deeper insight into the heart of His message and His vision for the Kingdom of God.

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