Parable of the Sower gathered on the lake shore. Luke's Gospel does not use a boat for the delivery of the sermon, but still has Jesus presenting the parable to a large crowd gathered from 'every city' and follows the parable with a question on the purpose of parables and an explanation of the parable of the sower itself. While the parable was told to the multitude, the explanations were only given to the disciples. Jesus says he teaches in parables because he does not want everyone to understand him, only those who are his followers. Those outside the group are not meant to
Parable of the talents or minas prove one's worth—is the proper way to serve God. While the narrator worries over his limited accomplishments, Patience reminds him that God does not need "man's work". Milton may even be contrasting God (as King) with the lord of the parable. Catholic Bishop Robert Barron says that the talents in this parable are "a share in the mercy of God, a participation in the weightiness of the divine love", rather than personal abilities or wealth. He utilizes the interpretation of Old Testament professor Robert Schoenstene, who argues that a talent in ancient Jewish times was very weighty thus five talents