Luke recorded the most parables (25). Eighteen of them are unique among the gospel writers. One of those is the Rich Man and Lazarus…the most misunderstood of all the parables. This will be reviewed next time.

As I studied each parable I put them in a chart. By doing so, I noticed a pattern. This pattern consisted of these three points:

1.) There was an instance or question that prompted Jesus to respond. The context for His response is critical in understanding the point of the parable.

2.) The parable was not an actual event nor actual people. They were not the focus of the parable. The story is used like an example to illustrate a truth about the kingdom of God.

3.) The point of the story most often comes at the end, where Jesus usually speaks it plainly. However, in a few instances, it is not explained especially when it is against the religious leaders and even Israel itself.

As human beings, we learn best by seeing or hearing examples. These parables fall into that category of learning. But, as I soon discovered, there are different types of hearers! Some listeners would hear and respond and become followers. Some would hear and not give it another thought. They would go on their merry way. While others didn’t understand the parable at all.

Below are my notes from each parable in Luke. For maximum benefit, please prayerfully read the parable then compare with my short notes. My emphasis is on the context and the message. These parables are of no use unless we hear (understand) and apply them personally.

The series of parable recorded by Luke ends with the parable of the fig tree and the need to watch for signs of His second coming. Deception will be involved so we need to test every claim against God’s word.

Beware of relying on headings in your Bible to locate parables. A parable of Jesus It is always found in the context and structure of Jesus teaching. Headings were not part of the oldest manuscripts. In fact, there was no paragraphs or punctuation in those ancient writings. They are for organizational purposes only. Just because a section is not marked as a parable, does not mean it is not.

Probably one of the most interesting and debated parables is the one about the Rich Man and Lazarus. Only Luke records this parable. I have heard well-known pastors assert that this is not a parable, but an actual event. I will discuss this more in the next (and last) blog on this topic of Context. But, for now, let’s contemplate the power of context by understanding Jesus’ parables and the application of His teaching about the kingdom of God.

Following is a summary of each one of the parables in this useful chart. Next time we will discuss the most misunderstood parable of all these parables.

Title	Trigger (Context)	Message
Sower 8:4-7	Large crowd. Universal message	Explained to the disciples in 8: 11-17. Good soil…good hearers who produce fruit. Danger to those who give up due to trials and allowing Satan to take it away.
Covering up the lamp 8: 16-18	Likely a continuation from the previous parable. Spoken only to His disciples.	“nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.”
Good Samaritan 10: 25-28	A lawyer asks about what could he do to inherit eternal life. Jesus responded by asking a question. The lawyer answers by quoting the Tora. Jesus explains in detail who is a neighbor.	Everyone is a neighbor. When someone who is in need, regardless of who they are, they should be extended mercy and help. Don’t discriminate!
A Midnight Friend 11: 5-8	Disciples wanted Jesus to teach them how to pray	Persistence in prayer to God (our friend) will produce results. “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
Unclean Spirit Goes Away. Seven return 11: 24-26	Jesus accused of casting out demons by Beelzebub (Satan).	“the last state of that man is worse than the first.” A clean house (life) unoccupied by God’s Spirit can be dangerous to the person initially made clean.
Lamp of the Body 11: 33-36	Crowd was seeking a sign. Jesus gave them the sign of Jonah, queen of the south and Solomon.	Be careful that the light in you is not darkness. What you think is truth is really error. If you have light with no darkness, it will be made known to others and yourself.
Sparrows Worth VS the worth of humans 12: 4-7	A very large crowd gathers and Jesus starts by telling his disciples to beware of the “leaven of the Pharisees.”	Don’t fear what man can do you, even up to killing your body. They can kill the body but can’t kill soul, but God can. It is more important to fear God. Notice that the soul is not immortal. It can be killed by the Lord. You are more important than a sparrow.
Rich Fool 12: 13-21	“Then one from the crowd said to Him, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.’”	‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you (for thinking only of yourself);…“So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Do not worry about your life, what you shall eat… “Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.”
Faithful and Unfaithful Servant 12: 35-48	After the parable above (Rich Fool), Jesus turns to the disciples. It appears to be for them only (see v. 41)	“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.… For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.“
Barren Fig Tree 13: 6-9	Some present told Jesus about the recent slaughter of the Galileans by Pilate and the accident of the tower at Siloam. By Jesus answer, they seem to think these were judgements of God, which He denies. His answer clarifies what is necessary in each person’s life (ie repent or perish.)	The fig tree Israel) bore no fruit for three years. The owner wanted to cut it down, but the keeper of the vineyard wanted a little more time (God’s patience and grace toward Israel). This time indicates that Israel would bear no fruit and would be cut down. Just as God was patient with Israel for 3 1/2 years of His physical visitation, God is patient with us to bear fruit. If not, we will be cut down (perish)
Mustard Seed 13: 18-19	The ruler of the Synagogue was indignant because Jesus healed a woman on the Sabbath of an infirmity she had for eighteen years	Kingdom of God is compared to a small seed that grows into a large tree where all of creation is benefited by it. A place to rest (nest). Israel had become exclusive and isolated itself from the rest of the world. They were hypocrites. For the individual, we should become like the tree where people can come and be at rest.
Leaven 13: 20-21	Same context as above. Jesus continues	The leaven represents what happens with the kingdom of God it (yeast) begins to permeate after being introduced into society (dough).
Man invited to a party chooses best seat 14: 7-14	Jesus had healed on the Sabbath. He noticed how people chose the best seats when they came to the Sabbath dinner held by one of the rulers of the Pharisees.	For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”
Great Supper 14: 15-24	At the same dinner as explained above, a guest responds to Jesus parables by saying, “Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!”	Various people make excuses because they are so busy and obviously uninterested in the supper (God’s kingdom). Those making excuses are the people of God who have been blessed by Him. So the invitation goes out to the lower rung of society, those who appear to be unblessed. (the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.). “I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’ ”
Salt 14: 34-35	Great multitude following after Jesus. Jesus explains how they can become His disciple. They must leave all to follow Him and to “bear His cross.”	Discipleship without devotion is like worthless salt that has lost its taste. It is worthless. “ It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill (rubbish heap), but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Lost Sheep 15: 1-7	Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.”	I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. Who are the real sinners? Those who feel they don’t need to repent.
Lost Coin 15 8-10	Continuation of the above	“…there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Lost Son 15: 11-32	Continuation of the above	“your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ”
Unjust Steward 15: 1-13	Still in the context above, but He turns to His disciples	“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
Rich Man and Lazarus 15: 19-31	Pharisees (who loved money) heard the parables above and turn their noses up at Jesus.	If they did not understand Scriptures (Moses and Prophets)They would not believe in Jesus even if He rose from the dead.  ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”
Persistent Widow 18: 1-8	Jesus had just told His disciples about the nature of His second coming	“men always ought to pray and not lose heart, … when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
Pharisee and the Tax Collector 18: 9:14	Same as above	“…everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Minas 19: 11-27	He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately.	For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.  But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.’ ”
Wicked Vinedressers and the Cornerstone 20: 9-19	chief priests and the scribes, together with the elders, confronted Him	“He will come and destroy those vinedressers and give the vineyard to others.”…Whoever falls on that stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.”
Fig Tree 21: 29-33	Disciples were showing (bragging) about the temple in Jerusalem. Jesus responds by telling them it would be destroyed. Then He talked about the signs and the nature of His second coming. He told them to beware of deception about His return.	Watch for the signs!  “When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.“