Parables
Kingdom
How the kingdom begins, grows, mixes, and finally separates.
The Sower
One word, four soils: reception determines fruit.
The Lamp on a Stand
Light is meant to be seen; hiddenness is temporary.
The Growing Seed
The kingdom grows with a mysterious inevitability.
The Mustard Seed
From small beginnings to surprising reach.
The Leaven
Quiet influence that permeates the whole.
The Wheat and the Tares
The kingdom contains mixture until final separation.
The Hidden Treasure
Joyful surrender when true value is seen.
The Pearl of Great Price
Single-minded pursuit of the kingdom's worth.
The Dragnet
Gathering now; sorting later.
The Householder with New and Old
A trained disciple brings out treasures for others.
The Labourers in the Vineyard
God's generosity offends the merit instinct.
Repentance
Turning, returning, and the joy of being found.
The Lost Sheep
Heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents.
The Lost Coin
Careful searching, then public joy.
The Prodigal Son
Return, embrace, and the older brother's resentment.
The Barren Fig Tree
Mercy delays judgement, but fruit is still demanded.
Mercy
Neighbour-love, forgiveness, and compassion that costs.
The Good Samaritan
Neighbour-love crosses boundaries and pays the cost.
The Two Debtors
Those forgiven much love much.
The Unforgiving Servant
Mercy received must become mercy given.
Discipleship
Hearing, doing, humility, and the cost of following.
The Wise and Foolish Builders
Hearing is not enough; doing is the foundation.
New Cloth and New Wineskins
The new cannot be forced into old forms without loss.
Children in the Marketplace
A generation that refuses to respond rightly to God's call.
The Tower Builder and the King
Count the cost before you start.
Seats at the Feast
Do not grasp status; let honour be given.
The Unprofitable Servant
Obedience is duty, not leverage.
The Blind Leading the Blind
A warning about unqualified guides and imitation.
The Speck and the Log
Self-judgement first; then you can help clearly.
Prayer
Persistence, humility, and praying to the Father rather than an audience.
The Friend at Midnight
Bold persistence in asking.
The Persistent Widow
Do not faint: perseverance in prayer amid delay.
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
Self-justification versus humble pleading.
Possessions
Wealth, stewardship, greed, and the danger of serving mammon.
The Rich Fool
Bigger barns cannot secure life.
The Unjust Steward
A hard parable about shrewdness and stewardship.
The Rich Man and Lazarus
Wealth can numb mercy; death reveals truth.
The Talents
Faithful stewardship is rewarded; buried trust is condemned.
The Minas
Stewardship during the king's absence.
Judgement
Watchfulness, readiness, and final accounting.
The Wedding Feast
Invitation refused, outsiders gathered, unprepared exposed.
The Great Supper
Excuses reveal hearts; the poor and outsiders are brought in.
The Fig Tree Sign
Discern the season: readiness in light of coming judgement.
The Thief in the Night
Unexpectedness demands watchfulness.
The Watchful Servants
Stay ready: blessed are those awake when the master arrives.
The Faithful and the Evil Servant
Delay exposes character; accountability is real.
The Doorkeeper
Stay awake: the master may return at any hour.
The Ten Virgins
Preparation cannot be borrowed at the last hour.
The Sheep and the Goats
Final separation reveals whether mercy was real.
The Returning Unclean Spirit
Empty reform without true filling ends worse.
The Strong Man
Deliverance requires a stronger conqueror.
Leaders
Warnings to religious leadership, hypocrisy, and rejected invitations.
The Two Sons
Saying "yes" is not the same as doing.
The Wicked Tenants
Rejected servants, rejected son, and judgement on unfaithful keepers.