Holy Bible Online 
There were many occasions when Jesus taught people using parables or short narratives. He used everyday situations that everyone could understand to communicate the most fundamental spiritual truths.
Let's look at some of the most well-known parables of Jesus and discover the central theme of each one.
1. The Parable of the Sower
The Parable of the Sower is among the most cited and shared biblical parables. We can find the text of the parable in Matthew 13:3-23, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:4-15.
This parable presents different ways people react to the Gospel message. It shows us the importance of having a receptive heart when hearing the Word of God. When someone receives God's message with an open and prepared heart, the seed of the Word grows and bears fruit.
Learn more about the Parable of the Sower and its meaning.
2. The Parable of the Good Shepherd
We can read the text of the parable in John 10:1-18. In this parable, we see Jesus as the good shepherd who guides and cares for His sheep. Jesus always seeks their well-being.
The parable contrasts hired hands and thieves with Jesus. Hired hands and thieves only want to steal, kill, and destroy. But Jesus is the loving shepherd willing to give His life for His sheep.
3. The Parable of the Good Samaritan
The central theme of this parable is that God's love in our hearts overcomes all prejudice and moves us to action. We find the story in Luke 10:25-37.
Jesus uses the parable to answer the question from an expert in the law who asks 'Who is my neighbor' - The parable presents a man injured on the road and the reactions of those passing by. The least expected person was the one who showed compassion to the injured man. Jesus calls us to live lives full of love for our 'neighbors' and compassion in response to the needs of those around us.
4. The Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds
This parable, found in Matthew 13:24-30, speaks about the reality we live in. The coexistence of the wheat and the weeds in the story illustrates the reality of good and evil existing together in the world until the end of time. However, at the end of times, the groups will be separated, and each will go to their eternal destiny.
5. The Parable of the Prodigal Son
This parable speaks about God's immense love for each human being. We find the text in Luke 15:11-32. With this story, we learn that no matter how far we have strayed from our Heavenly Father, He is there with open arms, ready to receive us. He always forgives those who come to Him with a repentant heart.
6. The Parable of the Mustard Seed
This short parable appears in three of the Gospels: Matthew 13:31-32, Mark 4:30-32, and Luke 13:18-19. With it, we learn that when the kingdom of God enters a person's heart, it is like a small seed. With proper care, that seed will grow and become a large tree. That strong and leafy tree will serve as support and rest for all who come near it.
7. The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
The parable that we can read in Luke 16:19-31 speaks about two men. One was a rich man who lived surrounded by luxuries. The other was a beggar covered with sores who sat at the entrance of the rich man's house, desiring to eat at least the crumbs left by the other.
Both men died, and the parable tells us that the rich man went to Hades and the poor man to Abraham's side. The parable continues to emphasize that each person will have an eternal destiny. The two options are Abraham's side (paradise) or Hell (place of torment). That destiny is decided while we are alive based on our response to God's Word.
8. The Parable of the Yeast
This is one of the so-called kingdom parables, and we can read the text in Matthew 13:33 and Luke 13:20-21. The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that arrives, spreads, and encompasses everything. Therefore, the kingdom of God has the power to transform people and continually grow.
9. The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
In this parable, Jesus told the story of two men: a Pharisee and a tax collector. The text of the parable is found in Luke 18:9-14.
One day, these two men went to the temple to pray. The Pharisees spoke proudly before God and thanked Him for not being as sinful as other people. However, the tax collector approached God with humility and pleaded for the Father's mercy. Jesus affirmed that it was the tax collector who received God's mercy and forgiveness.
With this parable, we learn that we should have humble hearts before God, recognizing our need for Him. God exalts the humble and humbles the proud.
10. The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
Another short parable that occupies a single verse in Matthew 13:44. It speaks of the kingdom of heaven as the greatest treasure we could ever have. There is and never will be anything more valuable than eternal life with God! Upon finding this treasure, everything else becomes secondary.
11. The Parable of the Persistent Widow and the Unjust Judge
This parable, which we can read in Luke 18:1-8, is about the importance of persevering in prayer, of praying persistently. It presents an unjust and insensitive judge and a persistent widow. The judge, although he had no fear of God, delivered justice and answered the widow's petition. Similarly, we must persistently bring our requests before God without growing weary.
12. The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders
The central theme of this parable is the importance not only of hearing God's Word but also of obeying it. By doing so, we stand on the Rock, and life's storms will not topple us. We can read the parable in Matthew 7:24-27 and Luke 6:46-49. If we live a life of obedience to God, we will stand firm against the problems and difficulties that life brings.
13. The Parable of the Ten Virgins
This parable speaks about 10 virgins waiting for the bridegroom. We can read it in Matthew 25:1-13. Five of the virgins were wise and brought extra oil. The other 5 did not. The bridegroom was delayed, and only the wise were prepared to receive him.
We should follow the example of the 5 wise virgins and be prepared for the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Since we do not know when it will be, we must be prepared at all times.
14. The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats
Matthew 25:31-46 presents a challenging parable with a very important message. It is a prophetic message about how God will judge the nations. In this parable, Jesus describes the Son of Man coming in glory, accompanied by angels, to sit on his throne. Nations gather before him, and Jesus separates people as a shepherd separates sheep from goats.
The sheep, representing the righteous, are commended for their acts of kindness, such as feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming strangers, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick and imprisoned. The righteous are surprised and ask when they did these acts, to which Jesus responds, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.".
The parable then shares a warning of 'eternal punishment' to those who saw people in need and did nothing to help them, and with that it emphasizes the importance of helping others because by serving them, we serve the Lord.
15. The Parable of the Net
The text of this parable is in Matthew 13:47-50. In this story, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a net that catches fish of every kind. When the net is full, the fishermen separate the good fish from the bad. The good fish are kept, while the bad ones are thrown away.
The parable tells us that in this world, Christians and non-Christians coexist. The message of salvation (or the net) is thrown to all, but not all accept it. At the end of time, there will be a final judgment where the righteous and the wicked will be separated. Those who accepted the message of salvation will go to one place, and those who did not will go to another.
Other teachings from the New Testament to help you grow in your faith: