Parables of Jesus Christ:
Complete Text, Summary, and Meaning in the Gospels
So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.”
Matthew 13:35
The Parables of Jesus are recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. In this study you will find the full text of each parable, along with a brief summary and explanation to help us understand its meaning.
In Hebrew, the word for parable is מָשָׁל (mashal). In the Old Testament this word can also mean “proverb,” and in modern Hebrew it often means “example.” A parable is a short story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual truth. Yet the parables of Jesus are often less direct than the sayings found in Book of Proverbs. They invite the listener to reflect carefully and to seek spiritual understanding.
Through simple scenes from everyday life—such as farming, family life, work, and hospitality—Jesus revealed deeper truths about God, the human heart, and the Kingdom of God. These teachings remain essential for believers, calling us not only to understand the message but also to examine our own hearts and respond in faith and obedience.
Table of Contents
Why Jesus Spoke in Parables
Jesus explained that the mysteries of the Kingdom of God are revealed to His disciples but remain hidden from those who are unwilling to listen and understand. Those who receive the truth and respond to it are given greater understanding. But those who reject it gradually lose even the understanding they think they have. In this way, the parables both reveal and conceal the truth. They reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom to those who seek God, while exposing the hardness of heart in those who refuse to hear.
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The knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom has been given to disciples of Christ but hidden from the rest
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Whoever has the knowledge will be given more
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Whoever doesn’t have the knowledge will loose whatever they have
10 Then the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why do You speak to the people in parables?” 11 He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ 14 In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. 15 For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’ 16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
Major Themes in the Parables of Jesus
Though each parable tells a unique story, they consistently reveal four key truths for believers:
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The Kingdom of God – Shows how God’s Kingdom grows, works quietly, and will be fully revealed in His time.
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God’s mercy and salvation – Reveals God’s relentless love for the lost and His joy when they are restored.
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True obedience and faithfulness – Highlights that God values humble hearts, faithful actions, and readiness for His return.
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God’s grace and priorities – Reminds us to trust God over worldly wealth and to respond to His invitation with open hearts.
These four threads show that the parables are not isolated lessons—they together form a cohesive picture of God’s Kingdom and His expectations for His people.
1. The Kingdom of God
Jesus often taught about the Kingdom of God using stories from everyday life. These parables show how the Kingdom begins small, grows quietly, and will one day be fully revealed. They help believers understand God’s plans, His timing, and the hidden power of His work in the world.
The Parable of the Sower
In this parable, Jesus compares the message of the Kingdom of God to seed being sown in different types of soil. The seed is the same, but the results depend on the condition of the heart that receives it. Some hear the word and reject it, others receive it for a time but fall away, while some allow the cares of life to choke it. Only those who truly receive and understand the word produce lasting spiritual fruit.
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The seed is the message of the Kingdom
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Seed along the path - no understanding - evil one snatches the seed
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Seed on rocky ground - no root - lasts only for an easy season
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Seed among thorns - business of life-no fruit
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Seed on good soil - understanding of the word - bearing fruit
3 …“A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. 5 Some fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun rose, the seedlings were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the seedlings. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil and produced a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold. 9 He who has ears, let him hear.”
The Parable of the Sower Explained
18 Consider, then, the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the message of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since he has no root, he remains for only a season. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22 The seed sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 23 But the seed sown on good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and produces a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.”
The Parable of the Weeds
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The field is the world
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The good seeds are the sons of the Kingdom
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The weeds are the sons of the evil one
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The harvest is the end of the age
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The harvesters are the angels
24 …“The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and slipped away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the weeds also appeared. 27 The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ 28 ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. So the servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ 29 ‘No,’ he said, ‘if you pull the weeds now, you might uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat into my barn.’ ”
In this parable, Jesus teaches that both good and evil will exist in the world until the final judgment. The Son of Man sows the children of the Kingdom, while the enemy sows those who follow evil. Though they grow together for a time, God will separate them at the end of the age.
The Parable of the Weeds Explained
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Jesus sows the good seeds-sons of the Kingdom
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Devil sows the weeds - sons of the evil one
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Harvest is the end of the age
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Jesus will send out His angels to weed out every cause of sin and all who practice it
37 …“The One who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed represents the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. 40 As the weeds are collected and burned in the fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will weed out of His kingdom every cause of sin and all who practice lawlessness. 42 And they will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
In this parable, Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed, one of the smallest seeds planted in a garden. Yet it grows into the largest of garden plants, becoming large enough for birds to rest in its branches. In the same way, the Kingdom of God begins in small and humble ways, but it ultimately becomes the reality that encompasses everything.
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Out of the smallest seed can grow the largest garden plant
31 …“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man planted in his field. 32 Although it is the smallest of all seeds, yet it grows into the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”
The Parable of the Growing Seed
In this parable, Jesus teaches that the Kingdom of God grows in ways that are often hidden from human understanding. Just as a seed grows in the soil without the farmer knowing how, God’s work in the hearts of people unfolds gradually according to His power and timing. The parable also points forward to the final harvest of souls, when God will bring His work to completion.
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The Kingdom of God grows like seed in the soil
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Growth happens gradually and often unseen
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As soon as the crop is ready comes the harvest (Revelation 14:15)
26 Jesus also said, “The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day he sleeps and wakes, and the seed sprouts and grows, though he knows not how. 28 All by itself the earth produces a crop—first the stalk, then the head, then grain that ripens within. 29 And as soon as the grain is ripe, he swings the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
The Parable of the Leaven
In this parable, Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to leaven mixed into dough. Although the leaven begins as a small amount hidden in the flour, it gradually spreads until the entire batch is leavened. In the same way, the Kingdom of God begins in small and often unseen ways, but its influence continues to grow until God’s purposes are fulfilled and His Kingdom fills the earth
33 …“The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and mixed into three measures of flour, until all of it was leavened.”
The Parable of the Treasure and the Pearl
In these two short parables, Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a hidden treasure and to a pearl of great value. Both stories show that the Kingdom of God is worth more than anything a person can possess. When someone truly recognizes its value, they are willing to give up everything else in order to obtain it. The parables teach that entering God’s Kingdom requires wholehearted commitment, because nothing in this world compares to the eternal treasure God offers.
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The Kingdom of Heaven is the greatest treasure
44 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. 46 When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it.
The Parable of the Net
In this parable, Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a fishing net that gathers fish of every kind. When the net is full, the fish are sorted and the good are kept while the bad are thrown away. Jesus explains that this represents the end of the age, when God will separate the righteous from the wicked. The parable reminds believers that although many people are gathered around the message of the Kingdom now, a final judgment is coming in which only the righteous will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
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Only the righteous enter the Kingdom of Heaven
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The Kingdom of Heaven is the new treasure
47 Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea and caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the men pulled it ashore. Then they sat down and sorted the good fish into containers, but threw the bad away. 49 So will it be at the end of the age: The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous, 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 51 Have you understood all these things?” “Yes,” they answered. 52 Then He told them, “For this reason, every scribe who has been discipled in the kingdom of heaven is like a homeowner who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
2. God’s Mercy and Salvation
Many of Jesus’ stories focus on God’s love and mercy. These parables remind us that no one is beyond God’s reach, that repentance brings restoration, and that Heaven rejoices when even one sinner returns to Him. They encourage believers to see the value of every soul and God’s patient pursuit of the lost.
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
In this parable, Jesus illustrates God’s heart for His children. Even if one sheep wanders away, God the Father actively pursues it, because He does not want any of His children to be lost. The joy in heaven is greatest when a lost child is found, showing that every soul is precious to God.
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The sheep are God’s children
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Heavenly Father is not willing for any of them to perish
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He will go after the sheep who get lost in the world
10 See that you do not look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven. 12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. 14 In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
The Parable of the Lost Coin
Jesus teaches that every person is precious to God. Even if one sinner is lost, God seeks them diligently, and there is great joy in heaven when they are found and repent. This parable emphasizes God’s personal care and the value of every soul.
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Angels in heaven rejoice over one sinner who repents
8 Or what woman who has ten silver coins and loses one of them does not light a lamp, sweep her house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls together her friends and neighbors to say, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
This parable shows God’s heart for sinners. The younger son represents anyone who turns away from God, while the father represents God’s mercy and love. When a sinner repents and returns, God welcomes them with joy and restoration, celebrating that what was lost is now found. The story also contrasts the attitudes of those who remain self-righteous with those who experience grace.
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The Father rejoices over one son who repents
11 Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger son said to him, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent all he had, a severe famine swept through that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. 16 He longed to fill his belly with the pods the pigs were eating, but no one would give him a thing. 17 Finally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food? But here I am, starving to death! 18 I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 The son declared, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again! He was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate. 25 Meanwhile the older son was in the field, and as he approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has returned,’ he said, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 The older son became angry and refused to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look, all these years I have served you and never disobeyed a commandment of yours. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours returns from squandering your wealth with prostitutes, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31 ‘Son, you are always with me,’ the father said, ‘and all that is mine is yours. 32 But it was fitting to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ”
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Jesus teaches that inheriting eternal life requires loving God fully and loving others actively. Your “neighbor” is not limited by ethnicity, religion, or proximity—it is anyone in need you encounter. True faith is shown not by rules or status, but by compassion and action toward those who are hurting.
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To inherit eternal life you have to love God with all you heart, soul, strength and mind and love your neighbor as yourself
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Your neighbor can be any one you meet on your way
25 One day an expert in the law stood up to test Him. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus said. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus took up this question and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down the same road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, when a Levite came to that spot and saw him, he passed by on the other side. 33 But when a Samaritan on a journey came upon him, he looked at him and had compassion. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Take care of him,’ he said, ‘and on my return I will repay you for any additional expense.’ 36 Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 “The one who showed him mercy,” replied the expert in the law. Then Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
This parable teaches that God expects His people to forgive others as He has forgiven them. God’s mercy to us is immense, far beyond what we could repay, and the servant’s great debt represents the depth of our sin. Those who receive God’s forgiveness must extend the same mercy to others, forgiving continually and from the heart. Jesus makes it clear that failing to forgive others from the heart carries eternal consequences—those who refuse mercy risk judgment and eternal separation from God.
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Forgiveness should be given continually
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The king represents God showing mercy to those who cannot repay their debt
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The servant’s enormous debt represents the greatness of human sin
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Those who receive God’s forgiveness must forgive others
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God expects His people to forgive others from the heart
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times! 23 Because of this, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlements, a debtor owing ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25 Since the man was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned. 26 Then the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Have patience with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 His master had compassion on him, forgave his debt, and released him. 28 But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and begged him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you back.’ 30 But he refused. Instead, he went and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay his debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and recounted all of this to their master. 32 Then the master summoned him and said, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave all your debt because you begged me. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should repay all that he owed. 35 That is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”
3. True Obedience and Faithfulness
Some parables challenge believers to examine their hearts and live faithfully. They teach that God values humility, obedience, and readiness over mere words or appearances. Through these stories, Jesus calls us to stay alert, persevere in faith, and live faithfully while awaiting His return.
The Parable of the Two Sons
In this parable, Jesus teaches that what matters to God is doing His will, not merely claiming to obey Him. One son refuses at first but later obeys, while the other promises obedience but never follows through. Jesus uses this example to show that those who repent and obey God—even if they previously lived in sin—will enter the Kingdom of God, while those who claim righteousness but refuse to believe and obey will not.
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The ones who do the will of the Father enter the Kingdom of Heaven
28 But what do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first one and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ 29 ‘I will not,’ he replied. But later he changed his mind and went. 30 Then the man went to the second son and told him the same thing. ‘I will, sir,’ he said. But he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in a righteous way and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
In this parable, Jesus teaches that not everyone who is called will be ready when He returns. The ten virgins all expect the bridegroom, but only those who have oil in their lamps are prepared to meet him. The oil represents the righteousness that produces spiritual light. When the bridegroom arrives, those who are ready enter the wedding banquet, while the others are shut out. The parable warns believers to remain spiritually prepared, because when Christ returns the opportunity to prepare will be over.
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The virgins are the called ones
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The bridegroom is Jesus
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The oil produces light (righteousness) (Leviticus 5:11, Matthew 5:16)
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The virgins without oil were not chosen (Matthew 22:14) because they had no light (righteousness) and Jesus did not know them (Matthew 7:23)
1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take along any extra oil. 4 But the wise ones took oil in flasks along with their lamps. 5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9 ‘No,’ said the wise ones, ‘or there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 But while they were on their way to buy it, the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. 11 Later the other virgins arrived and said, ‘Lord, lord, open the door for us!’ 12 But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ 13 Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
The Parable of the Talents
In this parable, Jesus teaches that God entrusts His servants with responsibilities, abilities, and resources according to their capacity. Each person is expected to use what they have been given to serve God and advance His purposes. Those who are faithful and produce fruit will be rewarded when the Lord returns, but those who neglect what they were given and fail to act faithfully will face judgment.
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We are given gifts according to our own ability
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The ones who use their gifts and produce fruit are rewarded
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The ones who don’t use their gifts are headed for hell
14 For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent—each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey. 16 The servant who had received the five talents went at once and put them to work and gained five more. 17 Likewise, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18 But the servant who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money. 19 After a long time the master of those servants returned to settle accounts with them. 20 The servant who had received the five talents came and presented five more. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’ 22 The servant who had received the two talents also came and said, ‘Master, you entrusted me with two talents. See, I have gained two more.’ 23 His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’ 24 Finally, the servant who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what belongs to you.’ 26 ‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received it back with interest. 28 Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents. 29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 30 And throw that worthless servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
The Parable of the Persistent Widow
In this parable, Jesus teaches that believers should pray continually and not lose heart. A widow repeatedly asks an unjust judge for justice, and eventually he grants her request because of her persistence. Jesus contrasts this with God, who is righteous and attentive to His people. If even an unjust judge responds to persistent requests, believers can be confident that God hears their prayers and will bring justice for those who cry out to Him.
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We need to pray for justice at all times and not loose heart
1 Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart: 2 “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect men, 5 yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice. Then she will stop wearing me out with her perpetual requests.’ ” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to the words of the unjust judge. 7 Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He continue to defer their help? 8 I tell you, He will promptly carry out justice on their behalf. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”
The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
In this parable, Jesus warns that God expects His people to produce spiritual fruit. The fig tree represents a life that has been given time, care, and opportunity to grow, yet produces nothing. God is patient and gives time for repentance, but that patience is not endless. If a life remains unfruitful despite repeated opportunities, judgment will eventually come.
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We are given enough time and ability to produce fruit
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If we don’t produce fruit our lives will be cut short
6 Then Jesus told this parable: “A man had a fig tree that was planted in his vineyard. He went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. 7 So he said to the keeper of the vineyard, ‘Look, for the past three years I have come to search for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Therefore cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ 8 ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone again this year, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine. But if not, you can cut it down.’ ”
The Parable of the Salt and Light
In this teaching, Jesus explains the role of His followers in the world. Believers are called to be like salt that preserves and gives flavor, and like light that shines in darkness. Their lives should reflect God’s truth through their words and actions. If believers lose their distinct character or hide their faith, they fail to fulfill the purpose God has given them.
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Believers are the salt of the earth
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Salt that loses its flavor becomes useless
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Believers are the light of the world
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Light should not be hidden
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Good works glorify God
13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
The Parable of Readiness at Any Hour
In this teaching, Jesus warns that no one knows the exact time of His return. Just as people were living normal lives before the flood in the days of Noah, many will be unprepared when the Son of Man comes. For this reason, believers are called to remain watchful and faithful. Those who continue doing their duty and living obediently will be rewarded, but those who become careless and assume the Lord will delay will face judgment when He returns unexpectedly.
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No one knows the day or hour of the Son of Man’s return
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The coming of Christ will be sudden, like the flood in the days of Noah
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Many will be living normally and unprepared
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Some will be taken and others left
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Believers must remain watchful and ready
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A faithful servant continues doing his duty until the master returns
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Faithful servants will be rewarded with greater responsibility
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A wicked servant assumes the master is delayed and lives carelessly
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The master will return unexpectedly and judge the unfaithful servant
36 No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. 39 And they were oblivious until the flood came and swept them all away. So will it be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.
42 Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.
45 Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household, to give the others their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.
48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says in his heart, ‘My master will be away a long time.’ 49 And he begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50 The master of that servant will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not anticipate. 51 Then he will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The Parable of Counting the Cost
In this teaching, Jesus explains that following Him requires complete commitment. Using the examples of a man building a tower and a king preparing for war, He shows that a person must carefully consider the cost before becoming His disciple. True discipleship requires placing Christ above family, possessions, and even one’s own life, and being willing to endure sacrifice and suffering for His sake.
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Following Jesus requires total commitment
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A disciple must love Christ above family and even life itself
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Carrying the cross represents sacrifice and willingness to suffer for Christ
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A builder counts the cost before starting a tower
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A king considers his strength before going to war
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True disciples must be willing to give up everything to follow Christ
25 Now large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple. 28 Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it? 29 Otherwise, if he lays the foundation and is unable to finish the work, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30 saying, ‘This man could not finish what he started to build.’ 31 Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if he is unable, he will send a delegation while the other king is still far off, to ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, any one of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple.
4. God’s grace and priorities
These parables focus on God’s generous heart and the choices believers make with their time, wealth, and priorities. They remind us that God invites all to His Kingdom, expects stewardship of His gifts, and values our response to His grace above worldly success or self-righteousness.
The Parable of the Workers
In this parable, Jesus teaches that the Kingdom of Heaven does not operate according to human ideas of merit or reward. The landowner represents God, who calls people into His Kingdom at different times but gives the same gift of salvation to all. Those who come later receive the same grace as those who have served longer. The parable shows that God is generous and sovereign in how He gives, and it warns against jealousy or pride among those who believe they deserve more.
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In the Kingdom of Heaven the last will be first and the first will be last
1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. 3 About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 ‘You also go into my vineyard,’ he said, ‘and I will pay you whatever is right.’ 5 So they went. He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing. 6 About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ he asked. 7 ‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. So he told them, ‘You also go into my vineyard.’ 8 When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, starting with the last ones hired and moving on to the first.’ 9 The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. 10 So when the original workers came, they assumed they would receive more. But each of them also received a denarius. 11 On receiving their pay, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These men who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.’ 13 But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Did you not agree with me on one denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give this last man the same as I gave you. 15 Do I not have the right to do as I please with what is mine? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
The Parable of the Banquet
In this parable, Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a king preparing a wedding banquet for his son. The first invited guests represent the people of Israel who rejected God’s invitation and even persecuted His messengers. Because of their refusal, the invitation was extended to others, symbolizing the inclusion of the Gentiles. However, entry into the Kingdom still requires proper wedding garments, representing the righteousness that God requires. Those who refuse God’s invitation or attempt to enter without this righteousness will ultimately face judgment.
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The wedding banquet is prepared by the Father for His Son
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The banquet is the Kingdom of Heaven
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The ones who were invited refused to come (Israel)
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The rest (gentiles) who were invited had to come in wedding clothes (righteousness)
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The ones without the wedding clothes were thrown into outer darkness (hell)
1 Once again, Jesus spoke to them in parables: 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 3 He sent his servants to call those he had invited to the banquet, but they refused to come. 4 Again, he sent other servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner. My oxen and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’ 5 But they paid no attention and went away, one to his field, another to his business. 6 The rest seized his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. 7 The king was enraged, and he sent his troops to destroy those murderers and burn their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the crossroads and invite to the banquet as many as you can find.’ 10 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered everyone they could find, both evil and good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11 But when the king came in to see the guests, he spotted a man who was not dressed in wedding clothes. 12 ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ But the man was speechless. 13 Then the king told the servants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”
The Parable of the Guests
In this parable, Jesus teaches that those who seek honor for themselves will ultimately be humbled, while those who humble themselves will be exalted. He warns against seeking recognition and reward from people in this life. Instead, believers should act with humility and generosity toward those who cannot repay them, trusting that God will reward them at the resurrection of the righteous.
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Every one who exalts himself will be humbled
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The one who humbles himself will be exalted
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If you are paid back on earth there will be no reward in heaven
7 When Jesus noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, He told them a parable: 8 “When you are invited to a wedding banquet, do not sit in the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited. 9 Then the host who invited both of you will come and tell you, ‘Give this man your seat.’ And in humiliation, you will have to take the last place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the last place, so that your host will come and tell you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in front of everyone at the table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” 12 Then Jesus said to the man who had invited Him, “When you host a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or brothers or relatives or rich neighbors. Otherwise, they may invite you in return, and you will be repaid. 13 But when you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Since they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
In this parable, Jesus speaks directly about the history of Israel and the rejection of God’s messengers. God entrusted His people to their leaders, expecting them to produce the fruit of righteousness. Instead, the leaders repeatedly rejected and mistreated the prophets God sent to them. Finally, God sent His Son, Jesus, but He too would be rejected and killed. Because of this rejection, Jesus declares that the Kingdom of God will be taken from those leaders and given to others who will produce its fruit.
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God is the landowner who planted a vineyard (For the vineyard of Yahweh of Hosts is the house of Israel…Isaiah 5:1-7)
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Tenants are the elders of Israel responsible for leading the people according to God’s law
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The fruit is righteousness
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The servants are God’s prophets (Again and again Yahweh, the God of their fathers, sent word to His people through His messengers because He had compassion on them and on His dwelling place. 2 Chronicles 36:15)
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The son is Jesus
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The Kingdom of God will be taken from Israel and given to people who produce it’s fruit (righteousness)
33 Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey. 34 When the harvest time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit. 35 But the tenants seized his servants. They beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. 36 Again, he sent other servants, more than the first group. But the tenants did the same to them. 37 Finally, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said. 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and take his inheritance.’ 39 So they seized him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard returns, what will he do to those tenants?” 41 “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and will rent out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him his share of the fruit at harvest time.” 42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? 43 Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. 44 He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.” 45 When the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they knew that Jesus was speaking about them.
The Parable of the Rich Fool
In this parable, Jesus warns about the danger of greed and trusting in material wealth. The rich man focuses on storing up possessions for himself and believes his abundance will secure his future. But when his life suddenly ends, everything he accumulated is left behind. Jesus contrasts earthly riches, which are temporary and cannot preserve life, with true riches—knowing God, seeking His Kingdom, and storing up treasure that has eternal value.
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Guard yourselves against every form of greed
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Any one who stores up treasures for himself on earth will loose everything
13 Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed Me judge or executor between you?” 15 And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 Then He told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced an abundance. 17 So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and will build bigger ones, and there I will store up all my grain and my goods. 19 Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’ 21 This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.”
The Parable of the Shrewd Manager
Jesus warns that how we use money reveals where our hearts truly are. Wealth is temporary, entrusted to us by God, and we will give an account for it. Those who are faithful with little will be trusted with more. Those who chase money instead of serving God prove their loyalty lies elsewhere. You cannot serve both God and money.
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Whoever is faithful with very little will be faithful with much
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If you are not faithful with worldly wealth you will not be entrusted with true riches
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If you are not faithful with belongings of another you will not get belongings of your own
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You cannot serve both God and money
1 Jesus also said to His disciples, “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. 2 So he called him in to ask, ‘What is this I hear about you? Turn in an account of your management, for you cannot be manager any longer.’ 3 The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, now that my master is taking away my position? I am too weak to dig and too ashamed to beg. 4 I know what I will do, so that after my removal from management, people will welcome me into their homes.’ 5 And he called in each one of his master’s debtors. ‘How much do you owe my master?’ he asked the first. 6 ‘A hundred measures of olive oil,’ he answered. ‘Take your bill,’ said the manager. ‘Sit down quickly, and write fifty.’ 7 Then he asked another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ ‘A hundred measures of wheat,’ he replied. ‘Take your bill and write eighty,’ he told him. 8 The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the sons of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the sons of light. 9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to make friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, they will welcome you into eternal dwellings. 10 Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been faithful with worldly wealth, who will entrust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful with the belongings of another, who will give you belongings of your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
Jesus teaches that humility is the key to being right with God. Those who trust in their own righteousness and look down on others will be humbled. Those who recognize their sin, humble themselves, and seek God’s mercy will be exalted. True standing before God depends on the heart, not on outward performance.
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Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled
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The one who humbles himself will be exalted
9 To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt, He also told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like the other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’ 13 But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”