The word parable is Greek means a setting side by side, a comparison. In parables divine truth is presented by comparison with material things.  Parables have been called “earthly stories with heavenly meanings.”  

Why Did the Savior Teach Using Parables

From our Lord’s words (Matt. 13:13–15; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10 in the Bible) we learn the reason for this method. It was to veil the meaning. The parable conveys to the hearer religious truth exactly in proportion to their faith and intelligence.  To the dull and uninspired it is a mere story, “seeing they see not,” while to the instructed and spiritual it reveals the mysteries or secrets of the kingdom of heaven.    The Lord stressed that he was quoting Isaiah 6: 9–10 and emphasized that he had to use parables because the people themselves were in spiritual darkness.  “For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.”  (Matthew 13: 15 in the Bible)  Jesus, therefore, did not use the parable to obscure the truth, but often as a subtle invitation to think about it and make changes to start growing spiritually.  For example, Jesus described two sons, one of whom promised obedience but never obeyed, and the other, who openly rebelled, only to repent and obey later. (Matt. 21:28–31 in the Bible).  He asked the chief priests and elders which of the sons was more responsive to God, and they selected the disobedient son who repented.  Jesus’ parable symbolized their own sins hidden as religious leaders.

Parables Recorded in the New Testament

Matthew. (1) The tares. (2) The hidden treasure. (3) The pearl of great price. (4) The draw-net. (5) The unmerciful servant. (6) The laborers in the vineyard. (7) The two sons. (8) Marriage of the king’s son. (9) The ten virgins. (10) The talents.

Mark. The seed growing secretly.

Luke. (1) The two debtors. (2) The good Samaritan. (3) The importuned friend. (4) The rich fool. (5) The barren fig tree. (6) The lost piece of silver. (7) The prodigal son. (8) The unjust steward. (9) Lazarus and the rich man. (10) The unjust judge. (11) The Pharisee and the Publican. (12) The ten pieces of money.

John has no true parables but presents two allegories: the good shepherd (John 10: 1 – 16 in the Bible) and the vine and the branches (John 15: 1-7 in the Bible).

Application of Parables

The parables the Savior used were pictures of human life and commonplace incidents at his time that could be understood by every listener.  For example the sower, the lost sheep, a woman baking bread, the fig tree, a good Samaritan, the prodigal son.  The application of a parable can apply in every age and circumstance.

We need to be careful not to center on the story Jesus told, but to learn Jesus’ purpose in using that particular Parable story and how it could apply today.

Conclusion

Jesus’ parables are a rich resource that can be used to understand the Lord’s gospel principles, testimony of his work, his own attitudes about our relationship to God and our fellowmen, and the prophecy contained in parables, particularly prophecies about readiness for Christ’s second coming.

On a personal note, I have an older brother that drifted away from the commandments of the Savior and remained that way for many years.  We lived thousands of miles apart.  What could I do to help?  Over a period of years I started to keep in contact primarily through the telephone on a monthly basis and then on a weekly basis.  I tried to be the best example to him that I could and to show my constant love for him.  I also called local church leaders that lived in his area and asked them to contact him, which they did.  My sisters and I continued our prayers for divine help.  Over time he began to repent and draw closer to his Heavenly Father and the Savior.  Today he is strong in the faith and his life is much happier and you see it in his countenance and attitude.  It does not always turn out this way, but we should keep trying to help, in love, those we can influence and never give up.

Some of the article was taken from the Bible Dictionary