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The Parables of Jesus F The Parables of Jesus The Camp Hill Church of Christ 3042 Cumberland Blvd. Camp Hill, PA 17011 1-717-737-5587 Introduction The parables of Jesus are among the most beloved of all stories in the Bible, or ever told. Unique in approach, these simple and colorful stories were effective, because they played to the everyday experiences of people, with poignant endings that brought the message home powerfully. Jesus' parables were often surprising and paradoxical. Someone once said that listening to Jesus tell a parable must have been a little like watching someone throw a ball into the air. Instead of reaching its apex and returning directly to earth, this particular ball starts back down and then veers off at a right angle. We watch astonished, and search for answers. Today, a detailed study of the parables can benefit us as well, as we search for our own answers. It is my intention to organize the material into a traditional 13 week format. However, there is much more than can be covered in this time period. There are over 40 parables and parabolic sayings covered in this outline, and that is not exhaustive. I encourage students of the Gospel to study the parables in depth on their own time. This is simply a study tool – let God’s word be your guide. Acknowledgements I wish to thank Brother Paul Cantrell for suggesting the approach for categorizing the parables, and for encouraging me to compile this study guide. Many thoughts were gleaned from “The Parables – Understanding the Stories Jesus Told” by Simon J. Kistemaker. As much of the material is from this source, I have not made specific references. Please consider this book as “referenced” for much of this study. As with any source other than the Bible, I urge caution, as I disagree with the author on some points. Other sources were used as well, sometimes verbatim – this work is as much a compilation of material from several sources, for the purpose of my own studies and teaching – as such, I do not consider this an original work. Cover Image – “Feeding the Multitude” by William Hole. From The Life of Jesus of Nazareth. Eighty Pictures. Public domain - copyright expired. All images used are believed to be public domain. Compiled by Brian L. Dowler [email protected] 2 Table of Contents 1) Introduction to the Parables........................................................................................................ 5 Types of Parables.................................................................................................................... 5 The Composition of the Parables............................................................................................ 6 The Purpose of the Parables.................................................................................................... 6 Interpretation of the Parables.................................................................................................. 6 2) The Great Value of the Kingdom ............................................................................................... 9 Parable of the Hidden Treasure (Matt 13:44) ......................................................................... 9 Parable of the Pearl of Great Price (Matt 13:45-46)............................................................... 9 Parable of the Great Feast (Luke 14:15-24).......................................................................... 11 Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matt 22:1-14)....................................................................... 13 3) The Cost of Citizenship of the Kingdom (1) ............................................................................ 16 Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:1-7; Matt 18:12-14)..................................................... 16 Parable of the Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10) .............................................................................. 17 Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) ....................................................................... 19 4) The Cost of Citizenship in the Kingdom (2) ............................................................................ 23 Parable of the Seed Growing Secretly (Mark 4:26-29) ........................................................ 23 Parable of a Tower Builder and King Going Forth to Battle (Luke 14:28-33)..................... 24 Parable of a Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21) ............................................................................... 26 Parable of the Empty House (Luke 11:24-26; Matt 12:43-45)............................................. 28 5) Growth and Effectiveness of the Kingdom .............................................................................. 31 Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matt 13:31; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19).......................... 31 Parable of the Yeast (Matt 13:33; Luke 13:20-21) ............................................................... 33 Parable of the Strong One Defeated (Luke 11:21-23; Matt 12:29) ...................................... 34 Parable of the Barren Fruit Tree (Luke 13:6-9).................................................................... 36 6) Ungodliness in the Kingdom .................................................................................................... 38 Parable of the Weeds (Matt 13:24-30, 36-43) ...................................................................... 38 Parable of the Drag-Net (Matt 13:47-50).............................................................................. 40 Parable of the Talents (Matt 25:14-30)................................................................................. 42 Parable of the Pounds (Luke 19:11-27) ................................................................................ 45 7) Duties in the Kingdom (1)........................................................................................................ 49 Parable of the Householder (Matt 13:52).............................................................................. 49 Parable of the Soils (Sower) (Matt 13:1-9, 18-23; Mark 4:1-9, 13-20; Luke 8:4-8, 11-15). 50 Parable of the Great Feast (Luke 14:7-14)............................................................................ 53 Parable of the Barren Fig Tree (Luke 13:6-9) ...................................................................... 56 8) Duties in the Kingdom (2)........................................................................................................ 59 Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14)............................................. 59 Parable of the Two Sons (Matt 21:28-32)............................................................................. 62 Parable of the Tenants (Matt 21:33-45)................................................................................ 63 Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21) ............................................................................ 66 9) Duties in the Kingdom (3)........................................................................................................ 70 Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matt 18:23-45)............................................................. 70 Parable of the Friend at Midnight (Luke 11:5-8).................................................................. 73 Parable of the Widow and the Judge (Luke 18:1-8) ............................................................. 75 10) Duties in the Kingdom (4)...................................................................................................... 78 3 Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37).................................................................. 78 Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard (Matt 20:1-16)....................................................... 82 Parable of the Unfaithful Steward (Luke 16:1-12) ............................................................... 86 11) The Need to be Ready for the Return of the King (1) ............................................................ 90 Parable of the Household Servants (Luke 12:35-40; Mark 13:32-37).................................. 90 Parable of the Servant with Authority (Matt 24:45-51; Luke 12:41-48).............................. 92 Parable of the Master of the House (Matt 24:45-51; Luke 12:41-46) .................................. 94 12) The Need to be Ready for the Return of the King (2) ............................................................ 96 Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matt 15:1-13) ........................................................................... 96 Parable of the Sheep and Goats (Matt 25:31-46)................................................................ 100 Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)...................................................... 103 13) Other Parables and Parabolic Sayings.................................................................................. 107 Salt and Light (Matt 5:13-16; Mark 9:50; Luke 14:34-35) ................................................ 107 Two Builders (Matt 7:24-27; Luke 6:47-48) ...................................................................... 110 Children in the Marketplace (Matt 11:16-19; Luke 7:31-35) ............................................. 112 Parable of the Burglar (Matt 24:42-44; Luke 12:39-40)..................................................... 114 Parable of the Farmer and Servant (Luke 17:7-10) ............................................................ 116 Points to Ponder.................................................................................................................
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