Table of Contents
Introduction 5
Old Testament Parables
The Trees and the Thornbush King 17
The Rich Man and the Poor Man 22
New Testament Parables The Nature of the Kingdom
The Coming of the Kingdom 31
The Sower and the Soils 31
The Wheat and Weeds 38
The Seed Growing Secretly 43
The Leaven 47
The Mustard Seed 51
The Children in the Marketplace 55
Jesus and Beelzebul, the Strong Man, and Good and Bad Trees 62
The Value of the Kingdom 66
The Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price 66
The Consummation of the Kingdom 71
The Fish Net 71
The Wise and Foolish Virgins 75
The Sheep and the Goats 81
The Ethics of the Kingdom
Discipleship 89
The Tower Builder and the Warring King 89
The Shrewd Manager 95
The Talents 100
The Unforgiving Servant 105
The Watchful Servants and the Wise Manager 111
The Thief 116
Reversal 119
The Narrow Door 119
The Wedding Banquet 123
The Great Banquet 128
The Rich Man and Lazarus 134
The Good Samaritan 139
Prayer 147
The Helpless Widow and the Unjust Judge 147
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector 154
The Friend at Midnight 161
Grace and Love 166
The Workers in the Vineyard 166
The Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin 169
The Prodigal Son/the Loving Father 176
The Unworthy Servant 183
The Sinful Woman and Two Debtors 187
Judgment 191
The Wise and Foolish Builders 191
The Rich Fool 198
The Wicked Tenants 203
Fruit fulness 208
The Barren Fig Tree 208
The Vine and the Branches 215
What Does God Expect of Me? 219
Notes 221
