We have completed our introductory series of lessons on the parables that Jesus told. Now we embark on a comprehensive study of particular parables. It would be arrogant to claim that we will study every parable uttered by Jesus and recorded in scripture, for that would mean having to be dogmatic about whether or not certain sayings of Jesus are parables. So I will claim no more than that our study of the parables will be comprehensive.

Various Lists of Parables

You may have noticed that not all lists of parables are the same. Of course they will all include the Good Samaritan, the Sower of Seed, and other passages that are quite clearly parables. However there will be certain parables included on one list that are omitted from another.

Each list maker has slightly different criteria as to what shall be deemed a parable. For example, the tower builder who does not count the cost (Lke 14:28-29) could well be regarded as a parable, but not every list includes it. The same may be said for many brief word pictures which Jesus uttered, and their inclusion or omission from a list of parables is somewhat arbitrary.

The Sermon on the Mount is rich in word pictures that we could regard as parables. In lessons to come, God willing, we will study in detail the parable of the houses on rock and sand, and the parable of the narrow and the broad roads. However there are a dozen other "parables" in the sermon on the mount that are worthy of our notice.

Matthew 5-7

Imagery and Parable in Matthew 5-7

• Hungry and thirsty (Mtt 5:6)
• Tasteless salt (Mtt 5:13)
• Light of the world (Mtt 5:14-16)
• The eye or hand that offends (Mtt 5:29-30)
• A trumpet in the street (Mtt 6:2-3)
• Moth and rust (Mtt 6:19-20)
• Birds of the air (Mtt 6:26)
• Lilies of the field (Mtt 6:28-30)
• The market merchant's measure (Mtt 7:2)
• A log in your eye (Mtt 7:3-4)
• Feeding pearls to pigs (Mtt 7:6)
• Knocking on the door (Mtt 7:7)
• Giving a bun or a fish to your son (Mtt 7:9-11)
• Two gates and two roads (Mtt 7:13-14)
• Wolves in sheep skins (Mtt 7:15)
• Fruit trees fruiting (Mtt 7:16-20)
• Judgment day scene (Mtt 7:21-23)
• Builders on rock and sand (Mtt 7:24-27)

The Themes in these images and parables

Not surprisingly, we find the same themes here as we do in the parables generally. I provide an outline below to briefly revist these themes, and to relate them to the Sermon on the Mount. You would do well to make a more thorough study of parable and imagery in that sermon, under these and other headings.

The Kindness and Severity of God

The parables of Jesus portray God as having a Fatherly love for us, and being longsuffering toward us, even though we may be erring children. On the other side, the parables illustrate the severity and wrath of God in the coming judgment, at which all who have not responded to his mercy will be cast out from his presence.

Examples

• Hungry and thirsty filled (Mtt 5:6)
• Birds of the air (Mtt 6:26)
• Lilies of the field (Mtt 6:28-30)
• A bun or a fish for a son (Mtt 7:9-11)
• When eye or hand offends (Mtt 5:29-30)
• Two gates and two roads (Mtt 7:13-14)

A Pure heart and Full Obedience

God requires obedience of us, and repentance from disobedience, if we are going to be saved by his grace. He also requires a pure and genuine heart, not a shallow outward show and mere lip service .

Examples

• Light of the world (Mtt 5:14-16)
• A trumpet in the street (Mtt 6:2-3)
• A log in your eye (Mtt 7:3-4)
• Fruit trees fruiting (Mtt 7:16-20)

The Kingdom of God

The eternal and universal nature of the kingdom of God, and the transcending value of membership in it, means that it should hold first place in our lives.

Examples

• Moth and rust (Mtt 6:19-20)
• Lilies of the field Mtt 6:28-30,33)
  (showing we should seek first the kingdom,
  not things of this world)
• Feeding pearls to pigs (Mtt 7:6)

Avoiding the Great Mistakes

Rejecting God's invitation, ignoring his word, being blind to one's sin, and unprepared for judgment, are great mistakes to which Jesus draws our attention in all his teaching.

Examples

• A log in your eye (Mtt 7:3-4)
• Knocking on the door (Mtt 7:7)
• Two gates and two roads (Mtt 7:13-14)
• Wolves in sheep skins (Mtt 7:15)
• Judgment day scene (Mtt 7:21-23)
• Builders on rock and sand (Mtt 7:24-27)

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