Jesus' Parables

A parable takes something physical that everyone is familiar with and uses it to explain a spiritual principle. It isn't necessarily to teach a Christian doctrine but to convey an idea. It's trying to make a statement, and usually it is a very simple statement, not a complex one. It's something that is there to communicate a truth.

A parable has no real names. Jesus told parables to illustrate the invisible (spiritual) world by using analogies from the visible (natural) world. It's also given to give examples of how to apply Biblical teaching in everyday life in a practical way. 

Jesus also told parables to fulfill Old Testament prophecies:

• The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of Heaven wasn't given
  to all people of Israel:
• Mat 13:10–16, Mark 4:10–12, Luke 8:9–10,  John 12:37–41, 
  Acts 28:24–28, Isaiah 6:9–10
• God had given some of the people of Israel a numbing spirit:
• Rom 11:8, Isaiah 29:10
• Jesus would utter things hidden since the creation of the world:
• Mat 13:34–35, Psalm 78:2

See time 16:24–21:55 in John 2 (Part 2) :12-25 • Jesus Cleanses the Temple.

See the following parables in the New Testament:

• The Parable of the Sower
• The Parable of the Weeds
• The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven
• The Parable of the Fish Net
• The Parable of New and Old Treasures
• The Parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin
• The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
• The Parable about the Laborers in the Vineyard
• The Parable of the Two Sons
• The Parable of the Tenants
• Jesus is the True Vine.
• The Parable of Putting New Wine into Old Wineskins
• The Parable about the Wise and Foolish Builders
• The Parable of the Wedding Feast
• The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins
• The Parables of the Talents and the Ten Minas
• The Parable of the Good Samaritan
• The Parable of the Persistent Widow
• The Parable of the Rich Fool
• The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
• The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price
• The Parable of the Prodigal Son
• The Parable of the Dishonest Manager
  
• The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
• The Parable of the Good Shepherd
• The Parable about a Blind Leading the Blind

See the following stories that are similar to parables but are real events:

• The Sheep and the Goats
• The Rich Man and Lazarus
• The Rending of the Curtain of the Temple

See the following parables/stories in the Old Testament:

• The Parable of Two Eagles and a Vine
• The Valley of Dry Bones
• The Vineyard of the Lord Destroyed
• The Good Figs and the Bad Figs
• The Parable of Judgement

See also at the end of The Four Gospels 
Some stories in the gospels and Some stories close related to the gospels.

See also The New Testament of the Bible.