1. Parables of Jesus in the Gospel according to Luke
Felix Just, S.J.

2. Parables in the Four Gospels
Mark: only about 10 parables & related images
Typical form: “The Kingdom of God is like…”
Matthew: total of 28 parables
8 from Mark; 10 also in Luke; 10 in Matt alone
LUKE: upwards of 36 parables
9 from Mark; 10 also in Matt; 17 in Luke alone
John: no parables; only two related images
John 10: Sheep & Shepherd
John 15: Vine & Branches
But here Jesus says, “I am…”

3. Purpose of Parables? Simple stories, easy to understand?
So people can easily remember Jesus’ message?
Any good teacher uses stories?
Or strange stories, difficult to understand?
See Mark 4:10-13 (citing Isa 6:9-10)
When he was alone, those who were around him along with the twelve asked him about the parables. 11 And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside, everything comes in parables; 12 in order that ‘they may indeed look, but not perceive, and may indeed listen, but not understand; so that they may not turn again and be forgiven.’ ”
4:13 And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables?”
See also Mark 4:33-34; Matt 13:10-17

5. What is a Parable? Definition by British NT scholar, C. H. Dodd:
Illustration “Parables” by James C. Christensen
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Definition by British NT scholar, C. H. Dodd:
“At its simplest a parable is a metaphor or simile drawn from nature or common life,  arresting the hearer by its vividness or strangeness, and leaving the mind in sufficient doubt about its precise application  to tease it into active thought.”
(C. H. Dodd, The Parables of the Kingdom.)

6. Implications of this Definition:
The meaning of most parables is not so obvious
If we assume we know what Jesus is talking about, we are probably missing the main point
If we are too familiar with the story, we might not think carefully enough about its real meaning.
Most parables contain something strange or unusual.
They should cause you to say, “Wait a minute! That’s not how farmers do their work! That’s not what kings usually do!” And this strange element should cause you to think!
Parables do not define things precisely
Rather, they use comparisons to describe some aspect of how God acts or interacts with human beings.
To say “A is like B” does not mean that “A is identical to B in all respects”
So be careful not to misinterpret or misapply the parables

7. Parables in Mark’s Gospel
Matthew
Luke
Garment & Wineskins
Mk 2:21-22
Mt 9:16-17
Lk 5:36-39
Strong Man
Mk 3:27
Mt 12:29
Lk 11:21
Sower & Seed
Mk 4:3-8
Mt 13:3-9
Lk 8:5-8
Lamp on a Stand
Mk 4:21
Mt 5:15
Lk 8:16 & 11:33
Seed Growing Secretly
Mk 4:26-29
[cf. Mt 13:24-30] -
Mustard Seed
Mk 4:30-32
Mt 13:31-32
Lk 13:18-19
Salt
Mk 9:50
Mt 5:13
Lk 14:34
Wicked Tenants
Mk 12:1-11
Mt 21:33-44
Lk 20:9-18
Budding Fig-Tree
Mk 13:28-29
Mt 24:32-33
Lk 21:29-31
Doorkeeper
Mk 13:33-37
[cf. Lk 12:35-38]
Total Markan Parables 10
Mt keeps all but 2
Lk keeps all but 2

8. Parables from the “Q” Source
Mark
Matthew
Luke
Two Houses -
Mt 7:24-27
Lk 6:47-49
Children in the Market Place
Mt 11:16-19
Lk 7:31-35
Return of the Unclean Spirit
Mt 12:43-45
Lk 11:24-26
Burglar
Mt 24:43-44
Lk 12:39-40
Servant entrusted with Supervision
Mt 24:45-51
Lk 12:42-46
Going before the Judge
Mt 5:25-26
Lk 12:58-59
Leaven
Mt 13:33
Lk 13:20-21
Great Supper
Mt 22:1-10
Lk 14:16-24
Lost Sheep
Mt 18:12-14
Lk 15:4-7
Pounds or Talents
Mt 25:14-30
Lk 19:12-27

9. Parables only in LUKE’s Gospel
Two Debtors (7:41-43)
Good Samaritan (10:25-37)
Friend Asking for Help at Midnight (11:5-8)
Rich Fool (12:16-21)
Faithful Servants (12:35-38)
Barren Fig-Tree (13:6-9)
Closed Door (13:24-30)
Choice of Places at Table (14:7-1l)
Tower-Builder & King Planning for Battle (14:28-32)

10. Parables only in LUKE’s Gospel
Lost Coin (15:8-10)
Prodigal Son (15:11-32)
Unjust Steward (16:1-8)
Rich Man & Lazarus (16:19-31)
Servant’s Reward (17:7-10)
Unjust Judge (18:1-8)
Pharisee & Publican (18:9-14)
Throne Claimant (19:12, 14, 15a, 27)

11. Two Debtors (7:41-43)

12. The Good Samaritan (10:25-37)

13. The Good Samaritan (10:25-37)

14. Friend Asking for Help at Midnight (11:5-8)

15. The Importunate Friend Sir John Everett MILLAIS 1864

16. The Rich Fool (12:16-21)

17. Faithful Servants (12:35-38)

18. The Barren Fig-Tree (13:6-9)

19. The Closed Door (13:24-30)

20. Choice of Places at Table (14:7-11)

21. The Tower-Builder (14:28-30) & King Planning for Battle (14:31-32)

22. Three “Lost” Parables (15:1-32)
Intro/Setting (vv. 1-3)
Jesus with sinners & tax coll.; Pharisees & scribes object
Lost Sheep (vv. 4-7)
What’s “strange” about this parable?
Lost Coin (vv. 8-10)
Lost/Prodigal Son (vv )
Common Refrain: JOY!

23. The Good Shepherd (15:4-7)

24. John Everett Millais Joseph Scott The Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10)

25. Rembrandt The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)

26. Prodigal Son (Luke 15)

27. The Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-8)

28. Rich Man & Lazarus (16:19-31)

29. The Servant’s Reward (17:7-10)

30. Widow & Unjust Judge (18:1-8)

31. The Pharisee & the Publican (18:9-14)
by Gustave Doré

32. Throne Claimant (19:12, 14, 15a, 27)

33. Review: Parables only in LUKE
Two Debtors (7:41-43)
Good Samaritan (10:25-37)
Friend Asking for Help at Midnight (11:5-8)
Rich Fool (12:16-21)
Faithful Servants (12:35-38)
Barren Fig-Tree (13:6-9)
Closed Door (13:24-30)
Choice of Places at Table (14:7-1l)
Tower-Builder & King Planning for Battle (14:28-32)

34. Review: Parables only in LUKE
Lost Coin (15:8-10)
Prodigal Son (15:11-32)
Unjust Steward (16:1-8)
Rich Man & Lazarus (16:19-31)
Servant’s Reward (17:7-10)
Unjust Judge (18:1-8)
Pharisee & Publican (18:9-14)
Throne Claimant (19:12, 14, 15a, 27)