photo by pardeshi
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Jesus’ parables framed comedy as a communal exchange — as a shared relief at the passing of danger. In this sense, think of laughter as a coping mechanism allowing us to recognize the danger of life and yet not be paralyzed by it… Just as tears of sorrow are outward release of our inward pain, the joy of laughter liberates us from the tension in our gut and lightens our shared reality.

Jesus embraced the comedy of the life, not making light of tragedy, rather He fervently endorsed the truth of it. Jesus used stories of hope to point to the wellspring of laughter, He used accounts of extreme faith to show the expectation of the impossible and He also told parables of love as the root that binds us together. He used comedic elements of irony and humorous imagery, throughout his parables. Jesus was a comedian in the sense that He allowed us to see tragedy detached from reality, and with this perspective gives us hope in our pain and the realization that tears can bring us joy. He brings us parables as comedy.

The Blind Leading the Blind
Luke 6:39

Children in the Market
Matthew 11:16-19
Luke 7:31-35

Dinner Guests
Matthew 22:1-14
Luke 14:15-24

Persistent Friend at Midnight
Luke 11:5-13

Grooms Attendants (also a Tragedy)
Matthew 9:14-15
Mark 2:18-20
Luke 5:33-35

Laborers in the Vineyard
Luke 20:1-16

New Cloth (also a Tragedy)
Matthew 9:16
Mark 2:21
Luke 5:36

New Wine (also a Tragedy)
Matthew 9:17
Mark 2:22
Luke 5:37-39

Pharisee and the Tax Collector
Luke 18:9-14

The Shrewd Manager
Luke 16:1-9

UnSalty Salt
Matthew 5:13
Mark 9:50
Luke 14:34-35

Unjust Judge
Luke 18:1-8

Unprepared Builder (also a Tragedy)
Luke 14:28-30

Wise Builder
Matthew 7:24-27
Luke 6:47-49

Nicodemus and Jesus
John 3:1-17

What do you think? Are there any that I am missing?

*The second of four posts on parables… parables as tragedy, comedy, fairy tale, and metaphor.