The Parables | Jamb Christian Religious Studies

Parables of the Kingdom

1. The Sower (Matthew 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-20): Jesus tells the story of a sower who scatters seeds on different types of ground, symbolizing how the Gospel is received by different people.
2. The seed on the path represents those who hear the message but do not understand, and the devil takes away the word that was sown in them.
3. The seed on rocky ground represents those who initially receive the word with joy but fall away when trouble or persecution comes.
4. The seed among thorns symbolizes those who hear the word, but the worries of life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.
5. The seed on good soil represents those who hear the word, understand it, and produce fruit, yielding thirty, sixty, or a hundred times what was sown.
6. Jesus explains that the parable illustrates how the word of God can be received in different ways depending on the condition of the hearer’s heart.
7. The parable of the sower teaches the importance of spiritual readiness and the need for a heart prepared to receive and nurture the Gospel.
8. Mark 4:13-20 expands on the explanation of the parable, emphasizing how external factors like trouble, persecution, and materialism can hinder spiritual growth.
9. Matthew 13:16-17 underscores that the disciples are blessed because they have been given understanding of the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven.
10. The parable highlights the need for perseverance, as only those who remain faithful and nurture the word of God within themselves will bear fruit.
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The Weeds (Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43)

11. Matthew 13:24-30 tells the story of a man who plants good seed in his field, but an enemy sows weeds among the wheat, leading to a mix of good and bad plants.
12. The servants ask the man if they should pull up the weeds, but the man advises to let both grow together until the harvest, to avoid uprooting the wheat.
13. In Matthew 13:36-43, Jesus explains that the man is the Son of Man, the good seed represents the children of the kingdom, and the weeds represent the children of the evil one.
14. The harvest represents the end of the age, where the angels will separate the wicked from the righteous, throwing the wicked into the fiery furnace.
15. The parable of the weeds teaches that God allows both good and evil to coexist in the world for now, but a time of judgment will come when the evil will be separated from the righteous.
16. The parable emphasizes God’s patience, showing that He does not rush to judgment but allows time for repentance and growth.
17. Matthew 13:41-43 clarifies that at the end of time, the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father, contrasting the fate of the wicked.
18. The parable warns against premature judgment, highlighting that it is God’s role, not ours, to judge the hearts of others.
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The Drag-net (Matthew 13:47-50)

19. Matthew 13:47-50 describes a drag-net cast into the sea, collecting fish of every kind. The good fish are kept, and the bad are thrown away.
20. The drag-net represents the Kingdom of Heaven, where the Gospel is spread to all people, but at the end of the age, the angels will separate the righteous from the wicked.
21. Matthew 13:49-50 explains that just as the fish are separated, so will the wicked be separated from the righteous and cast into the fiery furnace.
22. The parable underscores the finality of judgment, emphasizing that there will be a time of reckoning where everyone will be judged according to their faith.
23. This parable teaches that God’s Kingdom is inclusive in its invitation but exclusive in its judgment, requiring genuine faith for entry.
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The Wedding Garment (Matthew 22:1-14)

24. Matthew 22:1-14 tells the story of a king who prepares a wedding banquet for his son, but those invited refuse to come.
25. The king then invites anyone from the streets, both good and bad, to fill the banquet hall, symbolizing the inclusion of all people in the Kingdom of God.
26. One man enters the banquet without wedding clothes, and the king orders him to be thrown out, symbolizing that proper preparation and righteousness are necessary to enter the Kingdom.
27. The wedding garment represents righteousness, and the parable teaches that although the invitation to salvation is open to all, one must be spiritually prepared to enter.
28. The parable highlights God’s generosity, as He invites everyone, but it also underscores the importance of personal responsibility to respond appropriately to His call.
29. Matthew 22:14 concludes that many are invited, but few are chosen, emphasizing that not everyone who hears the Gospel will accept it in the right way.
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Parables About the Love of God (Matthew 18:12-14; Luke 15:1-32)

30. Matthew 18:12-14 describes a shepherd who leaves his 99 sheep to find one lost sheep, illustrating God’s deep love and concern for each individual.
31. Luke 15:3-7 mirrors this, portraying a shepherd who rejoices over finding the one lost sheep, showing that heaven rejoices when a sinner repents.
32. The parable of the lost sheep teaches that God’s love is unconditional, and He will go to great lengths to seek and save those who are lost.
33. Luke 15:8-10 tells of a woman who loses a coin and searches diligently for it, rejoicing when she finds it, symbolizing the joy in heaven when a sinner repents.
34. Matthew 18:14 explains that God does not want any of His little ones to perish, demonstrating His desire for all to be saved.
35. Luke 15:11-32 tells the parable of the prodigal son, where a father’s love and forgiveness for his wayward son illustrates God’s unconditional love for sinners.
36. In the parable of the prodigal son, the son squanders his inheritance but returns in repentance, and his father joyfully welcomes him back, showing the father’s love and grace.
37. Luke 15:20-24 emphasizes that the father’s love is not based on the son’s worthiness but on his return, symbolizing God’s grace in forgiving the repentant.
38. The parable of the prodigal son teaches about God’s forgiveness, showing that no matter how far one has fallen, God will always welcome back the repentant sinner.
39. Luke 15:25-32 reveals the older son’s resentment toward the celebration for the prodigal son, teaching that God’s love and forgiveness are not bound by human standards of fairness.
40. The prodigal son parable encourages believers to rejoice when someone returns to God, rather than harboring jealousy or resentment.
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Parables About Love for One Another (Luke 10:25-37; 16:19-31)

41. Luke 10:25-37 recounts the Parable of the Good Samaritan, where a man is beaten and left for dead, and a Samaritan helps him, showing love and compassion beyond cultural boundaries.
42. The Good Samaritan teaches that love for one’s neighbor is not limited by ethnicity or religion, but is a universal call to show compassion to all.
43. Luke 10:36-37 concludes that the Samaritan is the true neighbor because he showed mercy, teaching that love and compassion are the defining characteristics of a true disciple.
44. The parable challenges cultural prejudices and social norms, encouraging believers to love others, even those considered outsiders or enemies.
45. Luke 16:19-21 tells the story of a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus, where the rich man ignores Lazarus’s suffering, illustrating the consequences of failing to show love and compassion.
46. Luke 16:22-23 shows the rich man in torment in Hades, while Lazarus is comforted in Abraham’s bosom, teaching that neglecting the needs of others has eternal consequences.
47. Luke 16:24-25 highlights the reversal of fortunes after death, underscoring the importance of how one lives and treats others, especially the poor and suffering.
48. Luke 16:27-31 records the rich man’s plea to send Lazarus back to warn his family, teaching that it is too late for repentance after death, and the call to love must be acted upon in life.
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Parable About Wealth: The Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21)

49. Luke 12:13-14 introduces the parable when a man asks Jesus to tell his brother to divide their inheritance, prompting Jesus to teach about the dangers of greed.
50. Luke 12:15 warns against all kinds of greed, teaching that life does not consist of an abundance of possessions.
51. Luke 12:16-17 recounts the story of a rich man who decides to build larger barns to store his wealth, thinking he will have many years to enjoy it.
52. Luke 12:18-19 shows the rich man planning to take life easy and enjoy his wealth, unaware that his life would be demanded from him that very night.
53. Luke 12:20 records God’s response to the rich man, calling him a fool for storing up earthly wealth but not being rich toward God, teaching the futility of focusing on material wealth.
54. Luke 12:21 concludes that this is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God, highlighting the importance of spiritual riches over earthly wealth.
55. The parable of the rich fool teaches the dangers of materialism and the need to focus on spiritual growth and storing up treasures in heaven, rather than accumulating wealth that will fade away.
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Parables on Prayer (Luke 18:2-14)

56. Luke 18:2-5 tells the Parable of the Persistent Widow, where a widow repeatedly asks an unjust judge for justice, illustrating the importance of persistent prayer.
57. The widow’s persistence teaches that even in the face of adversity, believers should not lose heart but continue to pray with faith and determination.
58. Luke 18:6-7 highlights that if an unjust judge will eventually give in to the widow’s persistence, how much more will God, who is just, respond to His people’s prayers.
59. Luke 18:8 concludes with Jesus asking, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” showing that persistent prayer is an expression of faith.
60. Luke 18:9-12 introduces the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, where the Pharisee prays boastfully, and the tax collector humbly asks for mercy.
61. The Pharisee’s pride contrasts with the tax collector’s humility, teaching that God values humility in prayer and despises self-righteousness.
62. Luke 18:13-14 reveals that the tax collector’s humble prayer is accepted by God, while the Pharisee’s prideful prayer is not, emphasizing that humility is key to being justified before God.
63. The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector teaches that God hears the prayers of those who approach Him with a contrite heart, not those who boast of their own righteousness.
64. Luke 18:14 concludes with Jesus saying, “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted,” reinforcing the theme of humility in prayer.
65. The parables on prayer teach that prayer is not about outward appearances or self-righteousness but about sincerity, persistence, and humility before God.

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