(1) The Purpose of Parables
 
(2) Jesus and the Parables of the Prophets
 
(3) Parables of Subversive Critique
 
(4) The Crisis of Decision
 
(5) Decoding the Parables
 
(6) Finding Meaning in the Parables
 
(7) Parables in Context – Parables Q+R

“So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet:
'I will open my mouth in parables.
I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.'"
(Matthew 13:35).

 
The above reference to "the prophet" relates to Psalms 78:2-3, attributed to Asaph (a) (1), who served under King David (2) about 1000 years before Matthew's Gospel: "I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old— things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us."
 
In addition to the above reference, the term "parable" is recorded in the Old Testament (3) in Proverbs 1:6, Ezekiel 17:2, 20:49, 24:3 and Hosea 12:10.
 
What is a parable? In layman's terms, a parable could be described as an earthly story with a Kingdom meaning. These are biblical accounts of Jesus Christ (4) sharing a message with His listeners/followers in an attempt to convey a specific point. As our relationship (5) with Christ becomes more personal, we are invited to explore a deeper meaning of His parables.
 
40 (6) + Parables recorded in the synoptic Gospels of Matthew (7), Mark (8), and Luke (9) are listed below. A separate chart listing Parable references from 6 different versions of the Holy Bible (10) is also offered. Although the Gospel of John (11) contains allegories such as The Good Shepherd and His Sheep (John 10:1-5) and the childbearing woman in John 16:21, there are usually no Parables associated therein.
 

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If you're seeking additional info about Christianity on a more personal level, consider visiting a Christian Church here in Marion County (12). Introduce yourself to members and ask to speak with someone to learn more about Jesus. Surrendering your life to Christ (13) (d) is the most rewarding, everlasting decision you'll ever make, and it's comforting to have someone guide you as you begin your new life as a child of the Most High! May God shower you with great favor in this endeavor!

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Footnotes, Page Credits and External Resources appear below. Consider printing and sharing the offered PDF narrative and other listed resources with family, friends and strangers alike for use in Bible Studies (14), Home/Church Faith Sharing Groups (15), Discipleship Encounters (16) and/or Personal Faith Enrichment!
 
Modifications are welcome at [email protected].
 

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FOOTNOTES:
  (1) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/asaph
  (2) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/a-man-after-gods-own-heart
  (3) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/old-testament
  (4) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/jesus-christ
  (5) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/discipleship
  (6) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/40-in-the-bible
  (7) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/matthew
  (8) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/mark
  (9) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/luke
(10) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-good-news
(11) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/john
(12) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/listing-by-city
(13) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-gracious-visitor
(14) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/bible-studies
(15) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/christian-education
(16) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/discipleship
(17) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-lamp
(18) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-growing-seed-1
(19) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-wise-and-foolish-builders
(20) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-new-cloth-on-an-old-coat
(21) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-new-wine-into-old-wineskins
(22) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-divided-kingdom
(23) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-strong-man
(24) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-sower
(25) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-weeds
(26) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-mustard-seed
(27) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-use-of-parables
(28) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-yeast
(29) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-hidden-treasure
(30) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-valuable-pearl
(31) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-net
(32) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-owner-of-a-house
(33) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-heart-of-man
(34) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-wandering-sheep
(35) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-unmerciful-servant
(36) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-workers-in-the-vineyard
(37) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-two-sons
(38) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-tenants
(39) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-wedding-banquet
(40) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-fig-tree
(41) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-watchful-servants
(42) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-faithful-and-wise-servant
(43) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-ten-virgins
(44) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-bags-of-gold
(45) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-moneylender
(46) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-good-samaritan
(47) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-friend-at-midnight
(48) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-rich-fool
(49) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-unfruitful-fig-tree
(50) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-lowest-seat-at-the-feast
(51) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-great-banquet
(52) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/building-a-tower-war-making-king
(53) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-lost-coin
(54) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-lost-son
(55) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-shrewd-manager
(56) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-rich-man-and-lazarus
(57) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-master-and-his-servant
(58) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-persistent-widow
(59) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/parable-of-the-pharisee-the-tax-collector
 
 
PAGE CREDITS:
  (a) Encyclopedia of the Bible (Asaph), Bible Gateway, accessed December 14, 2020,
https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/encyclopedia-of-the-bible/Asaph
 
  (b) Bible Gateway, New International Version (NIV) Bible, accessed September 18, 2020,
https://www.biblegateway.com/
 
  (c) Videos, Milestones, Blogs & Poster, BibleProject, accessed September 29, 2020,
https://www.bibleproject.com/terms/#use
 
EXTERNAL RESOURCES:
  (d)  How Do I Convert to Christianity?, Got Questions Ministries, accessed January 12, 2020    https://www.gotquestions.org/convert-to-Christianity.html