A Difficult List
A listing of Jesus' parables, let alone one that lists them as part of a timeline (chronological order), is not as simple as it may seem. This is in part due to Biblical commentaries differing, sometimes significantly, about which of the Lord's teachings are considered parables.
For example, Nave's Topical Bible and the Bible Knowledge Commentary list Jesus giving 35 parables while Wilmington's Guide to the Bible states he gave 38. The Encyclopedia of Bible Facts says Jesus gave 40 unique stories of this type. A Dictionary of the Holy Bible reports he gave 52 parables while So That's in the Bible? states he taught between 60 to 70 of them!
Additionally, many lists do not consider anything in John's gospel to be a parable. They believe that only the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) record this type of figure of speech. Below is our own list of these fascinating stories Jesus used to both reveal, and conceal, God's truth.
Parables of Jesus Timeline
Fall of 27 A.D. to End of Year
The Sermon on the Mount
Jesus' ministry began on September 11 in 26 A.D. (the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur). This date was also the start of a Biblical Jubilee year (Luke 4:18 - 21).
1. Salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13).
2. Light of the world (Matthew 5:14).
3. Blind leaders of the blind (Luke 6:39).
4. False prophets known by their fruits (Matthew 7:15 - 23, Luke 6:43 - 45).
5. Wise and foolish builders (Matthew 7:24 - 27, Luke 6:47 - 49).
Early 28 A.D.
6. The good physician (Matthew 9:12 - 13, Mark 2:17, Luke 5:31 - 32).
7. Friends of the bridegroom (Matthew 9:15, Mark 2:19 - 20, Luke 5:34 - 35).
8. New cloth on old (Matthew 9:16, Mark 2:21, Luke 5:36).
9. New wine in old bottles (Matthew 9:17, Mark 2:22, Luke 5:37 - 39).
Summer 28 A.D.
10. Kingdom (house) divided against itself (Matthew 12:25 - 29, Mark 3:22 - 27).
11. The unclean spirit that wanders and returns home (Matthew 12:43 - 45).
12. Children in the marketplace (Matthew 11:16 - 19, Luke 7:31 - 34).
13. Wisdom justified by children (Matthew 11:19, Luke 7:35).
14. Two debtors owe creditor (Luke 7:40 - 47).
October 28 A.D. to
Early 29 A.D.
15. The Sower (Matthew 13:3 - 23, Mark 4:3 - 20, Luke 8:5 – 15).
16. Parable of the Lamp (candle) (Mark 4:21, Luke 8:16).
17. Tares (Matthew 13:24 - 30).
18. The growing seed (Mark 4:26 - 29).
19. The mustard seed (Matthew 13:31 - 32, Mark 4:30 - 32).
20. Hidden leaven (Matthew 13:33).
21. Treasure hidden in a field (Matthew 13:44).
22. The pearl of great price (Matthew 13:45 - 46).
23. Kingdom of God like a net (dragnet) (Matthew 13:47 - 50).
24. Parable of householder (Matthew 13:52).
October 28 A.D. to
Early 29 A.D.
25. Light of the world (Mark 4:21, Luke 8:16).
April to
Mid-September 29 A.D.
26. What defiles a man (Matthew 15:10 - 11, 16 - 20, Mark 7:14 - 23).
27. Blind leaders of the blind (Matthew 15:14).
October 22 to
Mid-November 29 A.D.
28. The good Shepherd (John 10:1 - 18).
Mid-November to
December 18, 29 A.D.
29. Become as little children (Matthew 18:3 - 6, Mark 9:35 - 37, Luke 9:46 - 48).
30. Spiritually offensive hands and eyes (Matthew 18:7 - 9, Mark 9:43 - 48).
31. Salt of the earth (Mark 9:50).
32. The lost sheep (Matthew 18:12 - 14).
33. The unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:23 - 35).
34. Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30 - 37).
35. A friend needs food at midnight (Luke 11:5 - 8).
36. Light of the world (Luke 11:33).
37. The rich fool (Luke 12:16 - 21).
38. The watchfulness of servants (Luke 12:35 - 40).
39. Wise and evil servants (Luke 12:42 - 48).
40. Barren fig tree (Luke 13:6 - 9).
41. The mustard seed (Luke 13:18 - 19).
42. Hidden leaven (Luke 13:20 - 21).
January to
February 30 A.D.
43. Parable of wedding feast (Luke 14:7 - 11).
44. Parable of great supper (banquet) (Luke 14:15 - 24).
45. Building a tower (Luke 14:28 - 30, 33).
46. King going to war (Luke 14:31 - 33).
47. Salt of the earth (Luke 14:34 - 35).
48. The lost sheep (Luke 15:3 - 7).
49. The lost coin (Luke 15:8 - 10).
50. Prodigal son (Luke 15:11 - 32).
51. The unjust steward (Luke 16:1 - 9).
52. Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19 - 31).
53. Unprofitable servant (Luke 17:7 - 10).
54. The unjust judge (Luke 18:2 - 8).
55. The Pharisee and the tax collector (publican) (Luke 18:10 - 14).
February to
Late March 30 A.D.
56. The workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1 - 16).
March 29, 30 A.D.
57. Parable of the pounds (Luke 19:11 - 27).
April 2, 30 A.D.
(Sunday before crucifixion)
58. Parable of two sons (Matthew 21:28 - 32).
59. Evil servants who kill owner's servants and son (Matthew 21:33 - 46, Mark 12:1 - 11, Luke 20:9 - 19).
60. Marriage of the king's son (Matthew 22:1 - 14).
61. Fig tree mimics seasons of prophecy (Matthew 24:32 - 35, Mark 13:28 - 31, Luke 21:29 - 33).
62. Homeowner travels to far country (Mark 13:34 - 36).
63. Wise and evil servants (Matthew 24:45 - 51).
64. The Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1 - 13).
65. The talents (Matthew 25:14 - 30).
66. Separating Sheep and Goats (Matthew 25:31 - 46).
April 4, 30 A.D.
(a few hours before arrest)
67. Jesus is the true vine (John 15:1 - 6).
Facts About Parables
The above timeline lists the 67 times Jesus taught a parable. Of these, the Lord repeated two parables on three separate occasions (salt of the earth and light of the world). Another five of his stories were given at two different times (mustard seed, hidden leaven, lost sheep, blind leading blind, wise / evil servants).
The book of Matthew records 35 parables of Jesus while Mark lists 17, Luke 39 and John 2. Of these, 12 are unique to Matthew, 2 to Mark, 18 to Luke and 2 to John.