Several of Jesus' parables picture "servants" in first century Palestine. Our English Bibles usually translate Greek doulos as "servant," though the word actually describes a slave in most cases. Describes the nature of slavery in first century Galilee and Judea.
Several of Jesus' parables about the Last Days and the Second Coming of Christ related to the Jewish expectation of the blessedness of the afterlife in Abraham's Bosom and feasting in the Kingdom of God. The Last Supper relates to this theme, as do the Parables of the Narrow Door, the Wedding Feast, the Great Banquet, and the Watching Servants.
About 14 parables, analogies, and sayings don't fit easily into my main topics for parables, but are mentioned briefly here: Walking in Light and Darkness, Light of the World, Physician Heal Yourself, the Temple of Jesus' Body, the Sign of Jonah, the Bridegroom's Friend, Children in the Marketplace, Rescuing from a Well, the Blind Leading the Blind, the Brood of Vipers, the Den of Robbers, Peter the Rock, and the Keys of the Kingdom.
Explores the Greek and Hebrew words for parables, allegories, sayings, riddles, etc. Defines various synonyms for sayings, comparisons, and stories,
A number of Jesus' parables deal with his heart for lost people, seeking to instill that love in his disciples. These include the Parables of the Doctor and the Sick, the Lost Sheep, the Harvest and the Laborers, Fields White for Harvest, the Sowers and Reapers, Sheep and Wolves, Serpents and Doves, Fishers of Men, Savorless Salt, the City on a Hill, the Lamp under a Bushel, and the Scribes of the Kingdom.
Disciple practices are taught by the Parables of Washing the Disciples' Feet, the Dutiful Servant, the Talents, the Minas or Pounds, and the Good Samaritan.
Jesus also teaches values and practices with his parables. These are his Parables of the Wolf in Sheep's Clothing, the Tree and Fruit, the Treasure Chest of the Heart, the Unjust Steward, the Rich Fool, the Two Masters, the Birds and the Lilies, Asking a Father for Bread, the Friend at Midnight, the Unjust Judge, and the Faith of a Mustard Seed.
Jesus uses parables in discussing character of his disciples. These include the Parables of the Pharisee and Tax Collector, Becoming Like Little Children, Welcoming Little Children, Places at the Table, Yeast of the Pharisees, the Vine and the Branches, Eating Jesus' Flesh, and the Yoke.
Receptivity to Jesus and discipleship are the subjects of several parables -- Parables of the Sower, of Pearls before Swine, the Narrow Door, Foxholes and Nests, the Dead Burying the Dead, Looking Back from the Plow, the Tower-Builder, the Warring King, Taking Up One's Cross, the Hidden Treasure, and the Pearl of Great Price.
We consider Jesus' parables to help his disciples understand the nature of his Kingdom: Parables of the Mustard Seed, Yeast or Leaven, Seed Growing by Itself, the Bridegroom's Guests, the Unshrunk Cloth, the Wineskins, and the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Gate.
Jesus teaches his disciples about salvation with a variety of parables: the Parables of Spiritual Birth, the Wind of the Spirit, Lifting the Bronze Serpent, the Bread of Life, Water for Eternal Life, Streams of Living Water, the Bread and the Wine, Baptism, the Kernel of Wheat, Rooms in the Father's House, the Woman in Childbirth, and the Plundering of the Strongman's House.
We explore Jesus' parables about readiness for Jesus' return -- the Parables of the Weather Signs, the Budding Fig Tree, the Lightning, the Vultures, the Watching Servants, the Burglar, the Wise and Foolish Virgins, and the Wise and Faithful Steward.
Several of Jesus' parables emphasize God's judgment on the great Day of the Lord. We explore the Parables of the Rich Man and Lazarus, the Sheep and the Goats, the Weeds or Tares, the Net, and the Laborers in the Vineyard.
Repentance is vital to salvation and was a major theme of both John the Baptist and Jesus. Jesus tells the Parables of Cleansing the Cup, Whitewashed Tombs, the Defiling Heart of Man, the Guilty Defendant, the Wise and Foolish Builders, the Wide and Narrow Gates, the Two Sons, the Speck and the Beam, and the Good Eye.
What's wrong with Israel that they don't welcome their Messiah? Jesus explains with Parables of the Barren Fig Tree, Hen and Chickens, the Wedding Banquet, the Great Banquet, and the Wicked Tenants.
Jesus told parables that reflect God's love to us. The "searching" parables are the Parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Son or Prodigal Son. Forgiveness and mercy are found in the Parables of the Two Debtors and the Unmerciful Servant.
Explores the basics of parables: definition of a parable and some categories of parables. We examine parables found in John's Gospel and the nature of the Kingdom of God. Then review Jesus' purposes in teaching by parables: (1) to clarify truth to the spiritually hungry, and (2) to hide truth from the spiritually dull. We examine the long, sad history of allegorizing Jesus' parables, the outline some rules of interpretation to aid us.
One of Jesus' prime means of discipling was to use parables, analogies, and figures of speech of all kinds to capsulize Kingdom truths. Contained in these stories and analogies is a vast domain of teaching designed to change lives. The author's goal is to build disciples today using the building blocks of the parables, just as Jesus did.
