Original collection
Parable (lit., "to cast (lay) alongside") At its simplest, it is an extended metaphor or simile drawn from nature or common life used to illustrate a spiritual truth. Its value is in its ability to rouse the mind to active thought by appealing to the familiar. This figure is characteristic of Jesus' method of teaching.
Key KJV Scriptures:
Matthew 13:10-23,34-35; Mark 4:33-34; Luke 15:1-32
Key KJV Scriptures: Full Text
50 indexed verses · Showing 1–40. Read each passage in its chapter context.
Matthew 13:10 (KJV)
And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
Matthew 13:11 (KJV)
He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
Matthew 13:12 (KJV)
For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
Matthew 13:13 (KJV)
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
Matthew 13:14 (KJV)
And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
Matthew 13:15 (KJV)
For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Matthew 13:16 (KJV)
But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Matthew 13:17 (KJV)
For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
Matthew 13:18 (KJV)
Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
Matthew 13:19 (KJV)
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
Matthew 13:20 (KJV)
But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
Matthew 13:21 (KJV)
Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
Matthew 13:22 (KJV)
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
Matthew 13:23 (KJV)
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Matthew 13:34 (KJV)
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:
Matthew 13:35 (KJV)
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.
Mark 4:33 (KJV)
And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.
Mark 4:34 (KJV)
But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
Luke 15:1 (KJV)
Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
Luke 15:2 (KJV)
And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
Luke 15:3 (KJV)
And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
Luke 15:4 (KJV)
What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
Luke 15:5 (KJV)
And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
Luke 15:6 (KJV)
And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
Luke 15:7 (KJV)
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Luke 15:8 (KJV)
Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
Luke 15:9 (KJV)
And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
Luke 15:10 (KJV)
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
Luke 15:11 (KJV)
And he said, A certain man had two sons:
Luke 15:12 (KJV)
And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
Luke 15:13 (KJV)
And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
Luke 15:14 (KJV)
And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
Luke 15:15 (KJV)
And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
Luke 15:16 (KJV)
And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
Luke 15:17 (KJV)
And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
Luke 15:18 (KJV)
I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
Luke 15:19 (KJV)
And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
Luke 15:20 (KJV)
And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
Luke 15:21 (KJV)
And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
Luke 15:22 (KJV)
But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: