We call the stories that Jesus told “parables” because they illustrate a spiritual lesson in the life of the characters. In this way, parables are different from fables which also can impart a moral imperative, because they are about people and real-life situations (whereas fables, like those written by Aesop, often employ the use of animals and mythical creatures).

While reading the New Testament in particular, we often hear about the Pharisees, most notably when Jesus engages them during his life on earth. Who exactly was he talking about?