The Purpose of the Parables

Luke 8

9 And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, 10 he said, z "To you it has been given to know a the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so b that 'seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.' 11 c Now the parable is this: The seed is d the word of God. 12 The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not e believe and be saved. 13 And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it f with joy. But these have no root; they g believe for a while, and in time of testing h fall away. 14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but i as they go on their way they are choked by the j cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 15 As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and k bear fruit l with patience.

  1. Cross References
    Matthew 19:11
    But he said to them, "Not everyone can receive ...
    Colossians 1:27
    To them God chose to make known how great among...
    1 Corinthians 2:6 - 10
    Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, altho...
    1 John 2:20
    But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and...
    1 John 2:27
    But the anointing that you received from him ab...
    Matthew 11:25
    At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Fath...
  2. Cross References
    Romans 16:25
    Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages
  3. Cross References
    Isaiah 6:9 - 10
    And he said, "Go, and say to this people: "'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.
    Matthew 13:13
    This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
  4. Cross References
    Isaiah 6:9 - 10
    And he said, "Go, and say to this people: "'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.
  5. Cross References
    Luke 8:11 - 15
    Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
    Matthew 13:18 - 23
    Hear then the parable of the sower:
    Mark 4:13 - 20
    And he said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?
  6. Cross References
    Luke 1:2
    Just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us.
    Mark 2:2
    And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them.
    Mark 4:33
    With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it.
    Acts 8:4
    Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.
    James 1:21
    Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
  7. Cross References
    Luke 8:11 - 15
    Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
    Matthew 13:18 - 23
    Hear then the parable of the sower:
    Mark 4:13 - 20
    And he said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?
  8. Cross References
    Mark 16:16
    Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
  9. Cross References
    Isaiah 58:2
    Yet they seek me daily and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the judgment of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near to God.
    Ezekiel 33:31 - 32
    And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain.
    Mark 6:20
    For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.
    John 5:35
    He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.
  10. Cross References
    Galatians 1:6
    I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel -
    Hosea 6:4
    What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes early away.
    Galatians 5:7
    You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?
  11. Cross References
    1 Timothy 4:1
    Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.
    Hebrews 3:12
    Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.
  12. Cross References
    James 1:11
    For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
  13. Cross References
    Matthew 6:25
    Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
  14. Cross References
    Hosea 14:8
    O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like an evergreen cypress; from me comes your fruit.
    John 15:5 - 6
    I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
    Philippians 1:11
    Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
    Colossians 1:6
    Which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing - as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth.
  15. Cross References
    James 5:7
    Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.
    Hebrews 10:36
    For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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