Where was the manger and what was the inn?
You have seen, heard, and sung the Christmas story so often you can recite the details by heart. Most of what you know is likely “cultural mythology.”
Parable of the Friend at Midnight
The parable of the Friend at Midnight does not promise that God will meet our every need or give us everything we ask for. Instead it teaches that God will give us the ultimate gift: righteousness.
Parable of the Talents
The Parable of the Talents is the last of three parables Jesus tells during a private discussion with the disciples about the end of the age. The parables focus on two themes: stay alert and persevere.
Parable of the Wise & Foolish Virgins
The Parable of the 10 Virgins is in a series parables Jesus tells his disciples privately about the end of the age. The parables focus on two themes: stay alert and persevere. The kingdom of heaven has a door that can and does close.
Parable of the Vineyard Workers
This parable could be titled the “Parable of the Compassionate Employer.” No one in this parable is underpaid. The complaint is from those who are justly paid and who cannot tolerate grace being given to others.
Parables of the Widow & the Judge; Pharisee & Tax Collector
These two parables in Luke 18 (The Widow & the Unjust Judge and the Pharisee and the Tax-gatherer) deal with prayer. But the underlying theme is how we achieve justification.
Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
The only solution to real guilt is real forgiveness. Forgiveness is a universal need of all humankind. Not only is forgiveness something we all need, forgiveness is also something we must give. But how?
Parable of the Unjust Steward
The Parable of the Unjust Steward has always been disturbing. At first reading, Jesus appears to commend the steward for being a liar and a thief. Careful study reveals an alternative.
Parable of the Prodigal Son
The Pharisees grumble against Jesus for eating with sinners. Jesus responds with 3 parables which challenge their definition of repentance and their attitude towards repentant and unrepentant sinners.
Parable of the Good Samaritan
What do you do if you know that — left to yourself apart from the grace of God — you are unable to “go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37)?
Parable of the Wheat & Weeds
Since the Messiah was expected to establish his kingdom on earth and that would involve a moral cleansing, why isn’t Jesus judging Gentiles and evildoers? The Parable of the Wheat & the Tares explains why Jesus’ ministry is not meeting this expectation.
Parable of the Sower & the Seed
Since just what you would expect to happen in the Parable of the Sower & the Seed happens, this story must have sounded pointless to those who heard it without explanation. Why would Jesus tell it?
About the Author
Krisan Marotta is a Bible teacher and host of Wednesday in the Word, the podcast about what the Bible means and how we know.