How many Parables are in the Bible?

Introduction

A parable is a narrative designed to reveal a spiritual principle or eternal truth. Jesus often used parables as teaching tools—simple stories with layered meanings. These analogies grounded divine wisdom in everyday experiences, helping listeners grasp heavenly insights. As one popular definition puts it: a parable is “a heavenly message wrapped in an earthly story.”

During His ministry, Jesus frequently taught through storytelling. Scripture confirms this: “He did not speak to them without a parable” (Mark 4:34). His use of stories wasn’t incidental—it was intentional and powerful.

Determining the total number of parables in Scripture can vary. While many are explicitly labeled, others fit the criteria without being formally titled as such. If we broaden the definition to include all metaphorical lessons and symbolic sayings—like Proverbs 25:11—the number can exceed 100. Some count upwards of 250 illustrative teachings in the Bible. However, when focusing strictly on the parables Jesus told in the New Testament, especially in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), the number typically lands between 30 and 40. The Gospel of John contains none in the traditional sense.

For our purposes, we’ll define a parable as “a crafted, fictional yet plausible story that communicates a deeper spiritual reality.” Below is a categorized list:

📖 Parables Told by Jesus

• The Two House Builders (Matthew 7:24–27; Luke 6:46–49)
• The Growing Seed (Mark 4:26–29)
• Children in the Marketplace (Matthew 11:16–19; Luke 7:31–32)
• The Wandering Spirit (Matthew 12:43–45; Luke 11:24–26)
• The Tree and Its Fruit (Matthew 12:33–37; Luke 6:43–45)
• Binding the Strong Man (Matthew 12:29–30; Luke 11:21–23)
• The Seed Sower (Matthew 13:3–9; Mark 4:1–9; Luke 8:4–8)
• The Weeds Among the Wheat (Matthew 13:24–30)
• The Tiny Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31–32; Mark 4:30–32; Luke 13:18–20)
• The Leaven in Dough (Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:20–21)
• The Buried Treasure (Matthew 13:44)
• The Merchant and the Fine Pearl (Matthew 13:45–46)
• The Fishing Net (Matthew 13:47–50)
• The Householder's Treasures (Matthew 13:52)
• The Forgiven Debtors (Luke 7:41–43)
• The Compassionate Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37)
• The Midnight Visitor (Luke 11:5–8)
• The Foolish Rich Man (Luke 12:15–21)
• The Returning Master (Luke 12:35–40)
• The Fruitless Fig Tree (Luke 13:6–9)
• The Great Feast (Luke 14:15–24)
• The Lost Sheep (Matthew 18:12–14; Luke 15:3–7)
• The Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:23–34)
• The Misplaced Coin (Luke 15:8–10)
• The Lost Son (Luke 15:11–32)
• The Shrewd Manager (Luke 16:1–8)
• The Dutiful Servant (Luke 17:7–10)
• The Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1–8)
• The Generous Landowner (Matthew 20:1–16)
• The Tenants and the Vineyard (Matthew 21:33–46; Mark 12:1–12; Luke 20:9–19)
• The Two Sons and the Father's Command (Matthew 21:28–31)
• The King’s Banquet (Matthew 22:1–14)
• The Faithful vs. Corrupt Servant (Matthew 24:45–51; Mark 13:32–37; Luke 12:41–48)
• The Ten Bridesmaids (Matthew 25:1–13)
• The Bags of Gold (Matthew 25:14–30)
• The Ten Servants and the Coins (Luke 19:12–27)
• The Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31–46)

Note: Some scholars debate whether the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19–31) is a parable or a literal account. Interpretations differ.

📜 Additional Parables in the Old Testament

• The Lamb Taken by the Rich Man (2 Samuel 12:1–4)
• The Poor Wise Man (Ecclesiastes 9:14–18)
• The Vineyard of the Lord (Isaiah 5:1–6)
• The Farmer’s Wisdom (Isaiah 28:23–29)
• The Potter and the Clay (Jeremiah 18:1–10)
• The Boiling Cauldron (Ezekiel 24:3–5)
• The Parable of Two Prostitutes (Ezekiel 23:2–21)
• The Lion’s Cub