Of Pigs, Pearls, and Prodigals: A Fresh Look At the Parables of Jesus

by John Bytheway

"This book would be a wonderful way to study the New Testament in conjunction with the Sunday School lessons. I can see families doing a different parable each week for Family Home Evening, for example."
-The Association for Mormon Letters

Listen to an interview with John Bytheway from The Cricket and Seagull Fireside Chat.

MormonTimes.com article about Of Pigs, Pearls, and Prodigals by Trent Toone (Click Here)

Enlighten your study of the New Testament!

Bestselling author John Bytheway's fascination with the parables of Jesus Christ grew deeper after his first visit to the Holy Land, where he "beheld in high definition the backdrop for the life and teachings of the Savior." In this insightful volume, he discusses what he has learned about more than thirty parables, sharing cultural background and other information about them and offering ideas for how we can apply them today. Throughout, visual images clarify and enrich the discussion.

Beginners and seasoned students alike will enjoy this lively and practical treatment of the Savior's parables.

Contents

Introduction
The Parable of the House Built upon a Rock
Matthew 7:24-27
The Parable of the Sower (of Four Kinds of Soil)
Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23
The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares
Matthew 12:24-30, 36-43
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
Matthew 13:31-32
The Parable of the Leaven
Matthew 13:33
The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price
Matthew 13:44-46
The Parable of the Gospel Net
Matthew 13:47-40
The Parable of the Householder
Matthew 13:51-52
The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
Matthew 18:23-35
The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard
Matthew 20:1-16
The Parable of the Two Sons
Matthew 21:28-31
The Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen
Matthew 21:33-46
The Parable of the Royal Marriage Feast
Matthew 22:1-14
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
Matthew 25:1-13
The Parable of the Talents
Matthew 25:14-30
The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats
Matthew 25:31-46
The Parable of the Seed Growing Secretly
Mark 4:26-29
The Parable of the Two Debtors
Luke 7:36-50
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Luke 10:25-37
The Parable of the Foolish Rich Man
Luke 12:16-21
The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
Luke 13:6-9
The Parable of the Chief Seats
Luke 14:7-11
The Parable of the Great Supper
Luke 14:16-24
The Parables of the uncompleted Tower and the King's Warfare
Luke 14:28-33
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
Luke 15:3-7
The Parable of the Lost Coin
Luke 15:8-10
The Parable of the Lost (Prodigal) Son
Luke 15:11-32
The Parable of the Unjust Steward
Luke 16:1-8
The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
Luke 16:19-31
The Parable of the Unjust Judge (or Importunate Widow)
Luke 18:1-8
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican
Luke 18:9-14
The Parable of the Pounds
Luke 19:12-27
Conclusion
Sources Cited
Index

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Lds, Church, Lds Non Fiction, Inspirational, Adult

259 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 6, 2010

About the author

John Bytheway (born October 1962) is an American author and academic, who is well known as a comic motivational speaker for youth within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Born in Salt Lake City, Bytheway attended the University of Utah and Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah, receiving a Master's Degree in Religious Education. He also served as a missionary for the LDS Church in the Philippines.

Bytheway is a religious studies instructor at BYU, currently focusing on the Book of Mormon. He also serves on the Aaronic Priesthood/Young Women Writing Committee for the LDS Church. Bytheway and his wife Kimberly have six children.

Reviews

[Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize this book was written from a Mormon perspective when I started reading it. I read it anyway; much of the analysis was applicable to any Christian denomination, and I enjoyed learning more about LDS beliefs and traditions. For example, there was mention of a Mormon hymn called "Have I Done Any Good Today?", which I looked up on youtube and it turned out to be great-- I wish we sung this hymn in my church!

[Britt, Book Habitue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably need to own this one. Definitely recommended.

[Sandie Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Bytheway never fails to teach me something new! Thank you 😊
My favorite quote “ being rich toward God is the best kind of retirement savings”

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book by its subject matter, its author and its jacket art. Being very familiar with the author through his video presentations, I had no doubts that I would come away from this reading experience with a greater understanding of the subject matter and an improved insight into the teachings of the Savior. I was not disappointed in this investment of time and attention.

I really like the format of this presentation. Each of the 32 chapters deals with one parable in detail.
He gives you the scriptural references where the parable is found; who the audience was; where it was given and why. In the commentary section of the chapter comes Brother Bytheway's observations as well as those from other authors of both secular and religious backgrounds. Each chapter concludes with "Therefore, What do I do?" as in, how can I apply this parable to my life and times? Very helpful.

The book also has illustrations and black and white pictures of things like a rocky hillside in Judea, wild grapes, laborers bringing in the harvest, mustard seeds and a host of other helpful visual aids of the subject matter of each of the parables. If your something of a visual learner like me, you will find these pictures and illustrations helpful in your efforts to understand more fully what the Savior intended for us to glean from these short stories.

This book is a welcome addition to my Gospel library.

[June Guymon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read. It is light, easy to comprehend and you come away with a deeper appreciation for the parables.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read one parable a night and learned something each time. The format was easy to read and John Bytheway's commentary sucked me in.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you have ever wanted to study the parables of Jesus Christ in more depth, then here is a book to consider by the well known LDS scriptural teacher and writer John Bytheway. Of Pigs, Pearls & Prodigals is subtitled A Fresh Look at the Parables of Jesus. Brother Bytheway wrote this book after a visit to the Holy Land. In it he offers cultural and historical background on more than 30 New Testament parables and teaches what we can learn from them to help us more fully live the gospel of Jesus Christ. This book could be used to supplement a personal scriptural study of the New Testament or in partnership with the LDS Come, Follow Me curriculum for teachers and families. Published in 2014, this book features 240 pages of content. Each parable is given its own short chapter with commentary, interpretation, and suggestions for what we can do to apply the teachings in our lives.

Of Pigs, Pearls & Prodigals is a great starting point for those who want a bit of historical context on the parables of Jesus Christ. The author uses everyday language to explain, which makes this book accessible to young and old alike. LDS-specific terminology could potentially make this more difficult to understand for non-LDS Christian denominations.

I do think this book is very basic. Much of it is a collection of quotes and insights from other sources. Many seasoned LDS members may not discover anything particularly new or noteworthy here. I, personally, gained a number of great insights and learned about some connections with other scripture that I hadn’t considered before. While I think knowledgeable members would do well not to let the simplicity of this book drive them away, this would be a great recommendation for teens, young adults, or new converts who are looking for some supplemental study of Christ’s teachings with interesting information and fresh insight.

[Jason Caldwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book John Bytheway takes every parable shared by the savior in the four gospels and gives each its own short 2-3 page chapter. Each chapter follows the same pattern. It shares the parable taken directly from the scriptures, then gives some interesting background and commentary, and concludes with how the parable can be applied in our lives. While there were several interesting points made about the parables and it is always good to review scripture, I did not feel that there was anything really new or thought provoking presented in this book. While I am a huge fan of John Bytheway's firesides and speeches, I felt this book was missing many of the eye-opening insights and clever humor that he is known for. While this book is a great reference if you want more information about a specific parable, I struggled to stay interested reading it straight through. We did use it in a fun family home evening lesson. Each person picked a parable beforehand, read the corresponding chapter, and shared with the family what they learned.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This made good devotional style book. Readers can easily take in one of the brief chapters, each dedicated to one of the parables Jesus told, and begin or conclude each day with some spiritual and scriptural insight. Bytheway follows an organizational formula for each chapter. I appreciated the historical and cultural background that enlightens greater understanding for various parables, as well as the inclusion of Bytheway’s insights and other Biblical scholars.

[Brenda Daun · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read that was a little more serious than John Bytheway’s other books. Though this may have been geared towards a younger audience, I learned a lot, and added some books to my TBR from the numerous quotes from bible scholars.

This is a really good start for anyone who wants to learn more about Jesus’ parables without needing a Maxwellian vocabulary.

[Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the most profound treatment of parables out there, but that was never the author’s intent. He did bring out a few interesting points I had never considered before. Very readable and easy to follow.

[Kim Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice book. Much of it was a bit more "milk" than "meat". However, there were some interesting things I learned that helped me understand the background behind the parables than I'd had before. (It also tuned me in to some other books I will be reading at some point in the future.)

[Jodee Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, insightful, easy to read and identify with. Highly recommended for everyone who wants to understand the parables of our Savior better or in a different light.

[Jennae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and the insights shared into the parables.

[Becky H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much good information to add to your New Testament reading.

[Fabrizio Poli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book by John Bytheway. This really does bring to life the parables of Jesus. I loved the various commentaries and comparison tables. A great study resource for all Christians!

[Scarlet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book broke down each parable and explained it so simply! It was so good to read and understand the parables better!

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s always good to get a little more insight on some of the parables.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Approachable LDS discussion of the parables of Christ. Will be useful in our new testament year of study.

[Swhe641200 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libby. This was a great book gave a lot of good insight to the parables and the gospel in general. Differently a great read.

[Paul Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Bytheway's work in collecting commentaries into a couple of pages per parable. He includes many one- or two-line parables that are often covered in most collections of parables.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. Quick read and full of goodness on every page.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like anything by john bytheway. He is funny and brings the spirit. I love the parables. They can be understood on a basic level as well as more deeply. Whatever you are ready to understand. I love that Jesus used parables to teach people.

[Dlora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author John Bytheway said he had three goals for writing this book. First,to be complete. He covered 32 parables but I think there were some he skipped over, like the parable of old wine in new bottles in Luke 5 or the parable of the unclean servant in Matthew 12. Still, he covered the main ones. Second, he wanted to be concise: "I won't wax eloquent or try to dazzle you with brilliance--since I have none." (A good example of his light touch with humor throughout). The book was very readable and had a set pattern for each chapter--telling us the audience, the location, and the purpose of the parable; followed by a commentary that often included insightful quotes on the parable and explained manners and customs of the time period; and finally he ended with possible applications to current day life, which is where Bytheway shined. I liked the comment he included from Joseph Smith about interpreting parables: "What was the question that drew out the answer, or caused Jesus to utter the parable? . . . To ascertain its meaning, we must dig up the root and ascertain what it was that drew the saying out of Jesus." Finally, Bytheway said that he wanted to keep the writing conversational: "I'll keep it light, I'll keep it moving, and we might even laugh on occasion." I sometimes wished he had delved a little deeper, but he never got so stuffy and academic that it was a chore to read. I enjoyed the insights and thoughts that his book generated for me. And I loved the cover art of James C. Christensen's "Parables." I'd love to have that picture on my wall one day and enjoy identifying each parable that was represented in the painting. This is an easy book to read with lots of hidden gems and a really excellent bibliography for deeper study if Of Pigs, Parables, and Prodigals felt like it glossed over the parables a bit too quickly.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this very helpful. It will be a great aid for gospel doctrine lessons.

212:Gordon B. Hinckley: It is not enough just to live, just to survive. It is incumbent on each of us to equip ourselves to do something worthwhile in society-to acquire more and more light, so that our personal light can help illuminate a darkened world. And this is made possible through learning, through educating ourselves, through progressing and growing in both mind and spirit. (Standing for Something)

221: Parables are a call to investigate the truth; to learn more; to inquire into the spiritual realities, which, through them, are but dimly viewed. Parables start truth seekers out in the direction of further light and knowledge and understanding; they invite men to ponder such truths as they are able to bear in the hope of learning more. Parables are a call to come unto Christ, to believe his doctrines, to live his laws, and to be saved in his kingdom. They teach arithmetic to those who have the capacity to learn calculus in due course, They are the milk of the word that prepares our spiritual digestive processes to feast upon the doctrinal meat of the kingdom (Mortal Messiah, 2;245.)

[Larsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviews of the parables are presented in the same sequence in which they appear in the New Testament preceeded by brief statements about who, where, and why. But the in-depth story giving rise to each parable is not included. There is a sense of repetition rather than connection in skipping from one parable to the next. More complete explanation of the setting for each parable would help with understanding, interpretation, and appreciation.
But there is much to learn always from the Savior's teachings. Among other aha moments for me was mention of Stephen R. Covey's description of an "abundance mentality" as compared to a "scarcity mentality." The former brings unselfishness, contentment, gratitude, respect, etc., while the latter brings the opposite. The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard (Chapter 10)teaches clearly of Heavenly Father's "abundance mentality" as He provides grace, mercy, and eternal generosity always while we and the mortal world are not always fair.
The more I read of the last half of this book, the more I enjoyed it.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of Pigs, Pearls & Prodigals is a concise guide to studying the parables presented in the New Testament. The book is organized into thirty-two chapters with each chapter focusing on a specific parable. John Bytheway lines out the circumstances of why the parable was presented, to whom it was told, and the physical location it was given at. Additional trivia is provided to help the reader better understand the cultural context. A variety of other sources are also quoted throughout to provide more enlightened insight. The book makes a great reference for teachers and students alike. I liked Of Pigs, Pearls & Prodigals because it gives straight forward explanations for the parables but still leaves the reader room to glean their own understanding.

[Kacey Kendrick Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mother-in-law (who is not LDS) likes to buy me LDS books as gifts...which I find amusing, especially since I don't buy a ton of LDS publications myself. (I'm picky.) She sent me this book in a group with several others and I was pleasantly surprised. I loved the way Bytheway broke down each parable and included so much research and insight, but in a very readable way. There were even a few parables that I had never learned about before. I gained a greater appreciation and understanding of the Savior's life--and especially the Atonement--after reading this book. I would recommend it to anyone seeking a better grasp on the parables taught by Jesus Christ.

[Keri-Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful, new take on the parables of the New Testament. It's not a scholarly exploration, but rather a good "family read", something that can engage all ages. Using a bit of history, geography, cultural tidbits, and thoughtful pondering, John Bytheway has delivered a read worthy of the subject. Though much of the information is available elsewhere, I loved how he brought it all together in one convenient package and gave the reader fresh ideas to ponder. Great companion to a study of the New Testament.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was easy to read this book a bit at a time, since each short chapter discusses one parable. I read it over the course of a year or so when I was caught up on scripture reading and conference talks. Bytheway doesn't claim to be a great scholar, but he does a great job of including just enough cultural and scholarly information and quotes from prophets to make each parable more meaningful. I learned a lot and increased my love for the parables without feeling weighed down by too much information.