The parables

PAR007 The hidden treasure

The article explores the parable of the hidden treasure in Matthew 13:44, emphasizing the priceless value of the Kingdom and the transformative impact of discovering it. Jesus uses this parable to show how the kingdom of heaven can redirect our lives and choices.

Matthew 13.44 (King James Version) :

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Audience: Beginners

PAR009 The dragnet

This article explores the parable of the net in Matthew 13:47-50, which highlights final judgement and personal responsibility. Using the image of a fishing net, Jesus illustrates the separation of the righteous from the wicked at the end of time, emphasising the need to live in accordance with the principles of the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 13.47-50 (King James Version) :

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PAR010 The unforgiving servant

The parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:23-35 teaches that divine forgiveness received must become forgiveness offered. It reveals the gap between divine generosity and human hardness. Forgiveness is essential to expressing divine mercy in the kingdom of God.

Matthew 18.23-35 (King James Version) :

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PAR011 The workers hired at different hours

The parable of the workers hired at different hours teaches that God's grace takes precedence over human merit. In the Kingdom, divine generosity surpasses human reasoning, inviting us to welcome goodness without jealousy. Matthew 20:1-16 illustrates God's generous sovereignty.

Matthew 19.27 (King James Version) :

Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PAR014 The Wedding of the King’s Son

This article discusses the parable of the banquet, comparing Matthew's and Luke's accounts. Matthew emphasises the guests' responsibility and the consequences of refusal, while Luke highlights the inclusion of the excluded. These perspectives illustrate God's universal call and the need for a genuine response to share in the Kingdom.

Matthew 22.1-14 (King James Version) :

And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.For many are called, but few are chosen.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PAR001 The sower

The parable of the sower, told by Jesus beside the Sea of Galilee, illustrates how God's Word is received differently according to the disposition of the heart. It shows four kinds of receptiveness through the different soils on which the seeds fall. The disciples learn that parables reveal the Kingdom to those who listen with open hearts, but remain hidden from those whose hearts are hardened. This distinctive teaching method of Jesus highlights the importance of faith and spiritual listening.

Mark 4.1-20 (King James Version) :

And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?The sower soweth the word.And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PAR000 The parables

This article examines Jesus' use of parables to convey spiritual truths through symbolic stories. It considers the challenges these stories posed to the disciples' understanding and the question of equal access to God's truth.

Matthew 13.10 (King James Version) :

And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PAR002 The house built on rock

This article examines the biblical parable of the two houses, found in Matthew and Luke, to illustrate the importance of putting Jesus' teachings into practice. Those who follow his words are compared to wise builders who build on a solid foundation, while those who do not obey are like people building on sand. The parable highlights the importance of active obedience rather than merely listening.

Luke 6.47-49 (King James Version) :

Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PAR003 The new cloth and the new wineskins

The article describes the parable of the new cloth and the new wineskins in the Gospels, illustrating the incompatibility of Jesus' teaching with old religious practices. It highlights the symbolism of new wine and old wineskins to explain the newness of the Kingdom of God that Christ brings.

Matthew 9.16-17 (King James Version) :

No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PAR005 The mustard seed

The article 'The mustard seed' explains how this parable of Jesus illustrates the growth of the Kingdom of God, even from the smallest beginnings. It examines the three accounts in the Synoptic Gospels.

Mark 4.30-32 (King James Version) :

And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PAR006 The leaven

The parable of the yeast demonstrates the quiet yet transformative influence of the kingdom of God. Through this image, Jesus explains how something that begins small, like yeast in dough, eventually permeates and renews everything it touches, illustrating the Kingdom's subtle yet powerful nature among individuals and communities.

Matthew 13.33-35 (King James Version) :

Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PAR008 The pearl of great price

The parable of the pearl of great price teaches that the Kingdom of Heaven is of immeasurable value. It tells the story of a merchant who sells everything to buy a precious pearl, illustrating the radical commitment required by the Kingdom and the joy it brings.

Matthew 13.45-46 (King James Version) :

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PAR012 The two sons

This article examines the parable of the two sons in Matthew 21.28-32. This parable illustrates that true obedience to God matters more than mere words. Sincere repentance, even when it comes late, opens the way into the Kingdom of God, unlike unfulfilled promises. Jesus uses this story to confront the religious authorities of his time and highlights the importance of sincere action.

Matthew 21.28-32 (King James Version) :

But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PAR013 The wicked vinedressers

This article analyzes the parable of the wicked tenants, in which Jesus denounces the rejection of the prophets and announces the transfer of the Kingdom to those who produce worthy fruit. The religious authorities are confronted with their rejection of the divine, marking a prophetic and spiritual turning point in salvation history.

Matthew 21.33-41 (King James Version) :

Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PAR015 The budding fig tree

This article explores the parable of the budding fig tree, a lesson in spiritual watchfulness given by Jesus in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. This account encourages believers to discern the signs of the Kingdom of God as they observe the seasons, emphasising the certainty of Jesus' words.

Luke 21.29-33 (King James Version) :

And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PAR017 The Ten Young Girls

The parable of the budding fig tree, recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke, invites the disciples to read the signs of the times with watchfulness and hope. Just as buds herald summer, events in the world herald the Messiah's return. Jesus' sure and eternal word guarantees the fulfilment of all his promises concerning the Kingdom of God.

Luke 21.29-33 (King James Version) :

And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PAR016 The Faithful Servant

The parable of the budding fig tree, recounted by Matthew, Mark and Luke in their eschatological discourse, invites the disciples to discern the signs heralding the Messiah's return. Just as buds announce summer, world events announce the nearness of the Kingdom of God. Christ's word is eternal and sure: heaven and earth will pass away, but it remains.

Mark 13.28-31 (King James Version) :

Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

Episodes 1 to 10

Episodes 11 to 17