The following classification of parables is adapted from A. B. Bruce, The Parabolic Teaching of Christ (1904), pp. 8ff.

1. Didactic parables
   1. Nature and development of the kingdom
      1. The sower (Matt. 13:3-8; Mk. 4:4-8; Lk. 8:5-8)
      2. The tares (Matt. 13:24-30)
      3. The mustard seed (Matt. 13:31-32; Mk. 4:30-32; Lk. 13:18-19)
      4. The leaven (Matt. 13:33; Lk. 13:20-21)
      5. The hidden treasure (Matt. 13:44)
      6. The pearl of great price (Matt. 13:45-46)
      7. The drag net (Matt. 13:47-50)
      8. The blade, the ear, and the full corn (Mk. 4:26-29)
   2. Service and rewards
      1. The laborers in the vineyard (Matt. 20:1-16)
      2. The talents (Matt. 25:14-30)
      3. The pounds (Lk. 19:11-27)
      4. The unprofitable servants (Lk. 17:7-10)
   3. Prayer
      1. The friend at midnight (Lk. 11:5-8)
      2. The unjust judge (Lk. 18:1-8)
   4. Love for neighbor: the Good Samaritan (Lk. 10:30-37)
   5. Humility
      1. The lowest seat at the feast (Lk. 14:7-11)
      2. The Pharisee and the publican (Lk. 18:9-14)
   6. Worldly wealth
      1. The unjust steward (Lk. 16:1-9)
      2. The rich fool (Lk. 12:16-21)
      3. The great supper (Lk. 14:15-24)
2. Evangelic parables
   1. God’s love for the lost
      1. The lost sheep (Matt. 18:12-14; Lk. 15:3-7)
      2. The lost coin (Lk. 15:8-10)
      3. The lost son (Lk. 15:11-32)
   2. Gratitude of the redeemed: the two debtors (Lk. 7:41-43)
3. Prophetic and judicial parables
   1. Watchfulness for Christ’s return
      1. The ten virgins (Matt. 25:1-13)
      2. The faithful and unfaithful servants (Matt. 24:45-51; Lk. 12:42-48)
      3. The watchful porter (Mk. 13:34-37)
   2. Judgment on Israel and within the kingdom
      1. The two sons (Matt. 21:28-32)
      2. The wicked husbandmen (Matt. 21:33-34; Mk. 12:1-12; Lk. 20:9-18)
      3. The barren fig tree (Lk. 13:6-9)
      4. The marriage feast of the king’s son (Matt. 22:1-14)
      5. The unforgiving servant (Matt. 18:23-25)