Skip to primary content
Skip to secondary content

Dr. Jim's Essential Bible Teaching

"Teaching them to observe everything that I commanded you" (Matt. 28:20)

Main menu

  • Home
  • About
  • THEOLOGY 101: THE BASICS
  • BIBLICAL ETHICS
  • WOMEN IN MINISTRY
  • WARNING!
  • ISLAM
  • Bible Basics
  • Apologetics
  • Genesis 1-11
  • Leviticus
  • General OT Studies
  • General NT Studies
  • Gospels
  • Parables
  • Matthew
  • Mark
  • Luke
  • John
  • Acts
  • Revelation
  • God
  • Christ
  • Spirit, Fruit, Gifts
  • Trinity
  • Angels and Demons
  • Humanity and Sin
  • Covenants
  • Salvation, Atonement, Cross
  • Growth in Christ
  • Interpreting the Bible
  • Kingdom of God
  • Healing, Deliverance, Miracles
  • Church Matters
  • Women in Bible
  • Prayer and Praise
  • End Times, Final Things
  • Word Studies
  • Biblical Ethics and Policies
  • American Church History
  • European Church History
  • Western Civilization
  • Basic Philosophy
  • World Religions

Tag Archives: Parables

This category covers mainly the parables of Jesus.

Parable of Weeds among Wheat, Explained

Posted on December 8, 2025 by James M. Arlandson
Reply

Bible Study series: Matthew 13:36-43. As noted in the companion post, leave judgment of the world up to God. Don’t cut down the weeds that look like wheat. You may damage the wheat.

Continue reading →

Posted in Matthew, Parables | Tagged Bible Study series, Matthew 13:36-43, Parable of Weeds among Wheat explained, Parables, Tares, Verse by verse Bible study | Leave a reply

Parable of Weeds among Wheat, Introduced

Posted on November 17, 2025 by James M. Arlandson
Reply

Bible Study series: Matthew 13:24-30. We must leave judgment of the world in God’s hands. Let’s not presume to judge worldly people before God’s time.

Continue reading →

Posted in Matthew, Parables | Tagged Bible Study series, Matthew 13:24-30, Parable of weeds among wheat introduced, Parables, Tares, Verse by verse Bible study | Leave a reply

The Purpose of Parables

Posted on November 3, 2025 by James M. Arlandson
Reply

Bible Study series: Matthew 13:10-17. You have to dig for the answers, showing your hunger for the kingdom. You must also have humility.

Continue reading →

Posted in Matthew, Parables | Tagged Bible Study series, Matthew 13:10-17, Parables, Purpose of parables, Verse by verse Bible study | Leave a reply

The Parable of the Soils (Sower), Introduced

Posted on October 27, 2025 by James M. Arlandson
Reply

Bible Study series: Matthew 13:1-9. Where is your heart? Hard? Prepared? Let’s see.

Continue reading →

Posted in Matthew, Parables | Tagged Bible Study series, Matthew 13:1-9, Parable of sower soils, Parables, Verse by verse Bible study | Leave a reply

Parable of the Soils (Sower), Introduced

Posted on July 16, 2025 by James M. Arlandson
Reply

Bible Study series: Luke 8:4-8. Where is your heart when you hear the gospel? Soft? Ready? Hardened? Anxious? Vulnerable to Satan?

Continue reading →

Posted in Luke, Parables | Tagged Bible Study series, Luke 8:4-8, parable of soils, Parable of sower, Parables, Verse by verse Bible study | Leave a reply

Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector

Posted on August 2, 2024 by James M. Arlandson
Reply

Luke 18:9-14: Are we humble enough to admit our sins, or do we listen to religion and believe we do not have very many sins to confess?

Continue reading →

Posted in Luke, Parables | Tagged Parable of the Pharisee and tax collector, Parables | Leave a reply

Parable of the Persistent Widow

Posted on July 31, 2024 by James M. Arlandson
Reply

Luke 18:1-8: We are challenged to pray and not give up, until we get an answer.

Continue reading →

Posted in Luke, Parables, Women in Bible | Tagged parable of the persistent widwo, Parables | Leave a reply

Parable about the Master and His Servant

Posted on July 26, 2024 by James M. Arlandson
Reply

Luke 17:7-10: This parable challenges us to serve God even when we do not receive applause. Are we humble enough to serve him in this situation?

Continue reading →

Posted in Luke, Parables | Tagged Parable of the master and his servant, Parables | Leave a reply

Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

Posted on July 24, 2024 by James M. Arlandson
Reply

Luke 16:19-31: This parable is about doing good to the poor and needy. The parable challenges us not to be like Ebenezer Scrooge in Dicken’s A Christmas Carol. It also explains God’s justice on those who do not help.

Continue reading →

Posted in Luke, Parables | Tagged Parable of rich man and Lazarus, Parables | Leave a reply

Parable of the Prudent Manager

Posted on July 19, 2024 by James M. Arlandson
Reply

Luke 16:1-13: This parable is difficult to understand.

Continue reading →

Posted in Luke, Parables | Tagged parable of the dishonest manager, parable of the prudent manager, Parable of the shrewd manager, Parables | Leave a reply

Parable of the Lost (Prodigal) Son

Posted on July 17, 2024 by James M. Arlandson
Reply

Luke 15:11-32: The lost son’s father ran out to meet him and hugged him and kissed him, thrilled to have him back home.

Continue reading →

Posted in Luke, Parables | Tagged parable of the forgiving father, parable of the lost son, parable of the prodigal son, Parables | Leave a reply

Parable of the Lost Coin

Posted on July 12, 2024 by James M. Arlandson
Reply

In Luke 15:8-19 Jesus loves you so much that he will look everywhere for you.

Continue reading →

Posted in Luke, Parables | Tagged Parable of the lost coin, Parables, Repentance | Leave a reply

Parables about the Cost of Discipleship

Posted on July 10, 2024 by James M. Arlandson
Reply

In Luke 14:16-24, Jesus challenges a large crowd following him to count the cost to be his disciple. It ain’t easy.

Continue reading →

Posted in Luke, Parables | Tagged Cost of discipleship, Hate your father and mother, Parable about the cost of discipleship, Parables | Leave a reply

Parable of the Great Banquet

Posted on July 5, 2024 by James M. Arlandson
Reply

In Luke 14:15-24, we are challenged to ask: How long can we reject the call to come into the kingdom of God?

Continue reading →

Posted in Luke, Parables | Tagged Parable of the Cost of Discipleship, Parable of the Great Banquet, Parables | Leave a reply

Parable of the Lowest Seat

Posted on July 3, 2024 by James M. Arlandson
Reply

In this parable (Luke 14:7-11), we must be careful about self-promotion, which is rampant in the American church.

Continue reading →

Posted in Luke, Parables | Tagged Don't exalt yourself, Parable of the lower seat, Parables | Leave a reply

Parable of the Unfruitful Fig Tree

Posted on June 28, 2024 by James M. Arlandson
Reply

This parable in Luke 13:6-9 is about Israel and Jerusalem and judgment on both. But can we learn lessons about our own unproductive discipleship?

Continue reading →

Posted in Luke, Parables | Tagged Parable of the barren fig tree, Parable of the unfruitful fig tree, Parables | Leave a reply

Parable of the Rich Fool

Posted on June 26, 2024 by James M. Arlandson
Reply

In this parable (Luke 12:13-21), we are called to ask ourselves this question: How attached are you to your possessions?

Continue reading →

Posted in Luke, Parables | Tagged Parable of the rich fool, Parables | Leave a reply

Parable of a Friend in Need

Posted on June 21, 2024 by James M. Arlandson
Reply

In the Parable of a Friend in Need (Luke 11:5-8), Jesus teaches us to persist and be bold in prayer.

Continue reading →

Posted in Luke, Parables | Tagged Parable of friend in need, Parables | Leave a reply

Parable of the Good Samaritan

Posted on June 19, 2024 by James M. Arlandson
1

In Luke 10:30-37 Jesus challenges his listeners to love their neighbor in need, when religious people ignore him.

Continue reading →

Posted in Luke | Tagged Parable of the Good Samaritan, Parables | 1 Reply

Parable of the Forgiven Debtor

Posted on June 14, 2024 by James M. Arlandson
Reply

Jesus forgave a sinful woman in Luke 7:39-50. This parable teaches us about gratitude for God’s forgiveness.

Continue reading →

Posted in Luke, Parables | Tagged Jesus forgives sinful woman, Luke 7:39-50, Parable of Moneylender, Parables, The sinful woman | Leave a reply

Parable of the Watchful Servant

Posted on June 12, 2024 by James M. Arlandson
Reply

Are you ready for the Lord’s return?

Continue reading →

Posted in Mark, Parables | Tagged parable of the watchful servant, Parables | Leave a reply

Parable of the Growing Seed

Posted on June 5, 2024 by James M. Arlandson
Reply

Parables are purposed to challenge us (among other things). As a kingdom citizen, are you ready to allow the kingdom of God do its work, overseen by God? It is his kingdom after all. Mark 4:26-29.

Continue reading →

Posted in Mark, Parables | Tagged parable of seed growing secretly, parable of the grlowing seed, Parables | Leave a reply

Parable of the Lost Sheep

Posted on March 20, 2024 by James M. Arlandson
Reply

God is searching for you, out of his love. He sent his Son to look for you. That’s how much he loves you.

Continue reading →

Posted in Luke, Parables | Tagged parable of lost sheep, Parables | Leave a reply

Archives

  • December 2025
  • November 2025
  • October 2025
  • September 2025
  • August 2025
  • July 2025
  • June 2025
  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019

Meta

  • Create account
  • Log in
Blog at WordPress.com.
  • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Dr. Jim's Essential Bible Teaching
    • Join 143 other subscribers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Dr. Jim's Essential Bible Teaching
    • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar