The Interpretation of Parables
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I.H. Marshall, Eschatology and the Parables. London
Eschatology and the Parables By I. Howard Marshall This lecture was delivered in Cambridge on 6 July, 1963 at a meeting convened by the Tyndale Fellowship for Biblical Research [p.5] In any attempt to understand the teaching of Jesus as recorded in the Synoptic Gospels, a consideration of the parables must take an important place. This is demonstrated not merely by the plethora of critical study and popular exposition to which the parables have given rise,1 but above all by the place which the parables occupy in the Synoptic tradition. According to A. M. Hunter roughly one third of the recorded teaching of Jesus consists of parables and parabolic statements.2 There are some forty parables and twenty parabolic statements (to say nothing of the many metaphorical statements) in the teaching of Jesus, and they are found in all of the four sources or collections of material commonly distinguished by students of the Gospels.3 Further, there is abundant evidence of Palestinian background and Semitic speech in the parables. So sceptical a critic as R. Bultmann can say that ‘the main part of these sayings (sc. the tradition of the sayings of Jesus as a whole) arose not on Hellenistic but on Aramaic soil’,4 and this verdict applies especially to the parables. The parabolic tradition is thus seen to be integral to the teaching of Jesus and to have a high claim to authenticity. Although the fact that Jesus used parables in his teaching is thus beyond contest, it is strongly denied by many scholars that the original wording and meaning of his parables is identical with what is actually recorded in the Gospels. -
“Thy Kingdom Come” – the Parables of Jesus
1 “Thy Kingdom Come” – The Parables of Jesus “Why do you speak to them in parables?” When we think of the ministry of Jesus, we probably think of great miracles & small moments of grace. We think of shared meals, healed bodies, & grateful, forgiven hearts. We probably think of parables too. Jesus taught his disciples & the crowds that followed him in both actions & words. Sometimes he spoke in simple statements – “Blessed are the poor” - & at other times he issued warnings. Stern ones too, mostly to religious leaders: “Woe to you Pharisees…” On many other occasions he told stories. Not just any kind of stories, not anecdotes, epics or fables. What Jesus told were parables. The English word “parable” is a translation of the Hebrew term mashal. It is not entirely clear what this word meant in its original culture setting but it may have had a link with Jewish prophecy. Prophetic knowledge comes from a visionary experience & this can only partly be expressed in normal language. A mashal involves analogy, where one thing is said to be “related” to another thing. In Greek, the word parable comes from a word that means “comparison.” We call Jesus’ stories parables because they invite us to see a comparison: between the kingdom of God & a banquet, between God & a landowner, between ourselves &… which are we, anyway? The Pharisee or the tax-collector? The older son or the younger? The bridesmaids who are prepared or those who are caught short? The workers who toil all day or the latecomers? If you are already familiar with these parables, your answer to those questions might well be different today than it was 5 or 10 years ago. -
The Parables of Jesus
THE NEW TESTAMENT PARABLES OF JESUS Year 1– Quarter 4 by F. L. Booth ©2005 F. L. Booth Zion, IL 60099 CONTENTS PAGE PREFACE CHART NO. 1 - Parables of Jesus in Chronological Order CHART NO. 2 - Classification of the Parables of Jesus LESSON 1 - Parables of the Kingdom No. 1 The Parable of the Sower 1 - 1 LESSON 2 - Parables of the Kingdom No. 2 I. The Parable of the Tares 2 - 1 II. The Parable of the Seed Growing in Secret 2 - 3 III. The Parable of the Mustard Seed 2 - 5 IV. The Parable of the Leaven 2 - 7 LESSON 3 - Parables of the Kingdom No. 3 I. The Parable of the Hidden Treasure 3 - 1 II. The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price 3 - 3 III. The Parable of the Drawnet 3 - 5 IV. The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard 3 - 7 LESSON 4 - Parables of Forgiveness I. The Parable of the Two Debtors 4 - 1 II. The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant 4 - 5 LESSON 5 - A Parable of the Love of One's Neighbor The Parable of the Good Samaritan 5 - 1 A Parable of Jews and Gentiles The Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen 5 - 4 LESSON 6 - Parables of Praying I. The Parable of the Friend at Midnight 6 - 1 II. The Parable of the Importunate Widow 6 - 3 LESSON 7 - Parables of Self-Righteousness and Humility I. The Parable of the Chief Seats 7 - 1 II. The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican 7 - 3 LESSON 8 - Parables of the Cost of Discipleship I. -
Preaching and Teaching the Parables of Jesus Stephen J
Editorial: Preaching and Teaching the Parables of Jesus Stephen J. Wellum ent Hughes begins his book on Mark’s sion of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, K Gospel recounting what happened to E. V. and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the Rieu, one of the world’s famous scholars of the clas- heart” (4:12, ESV). sics, a number of years ago. After having completed In fact, it is precisely because Scripture is what a translation of Homer into modern English for the it is, namely God’s Word written, and that it is by Penguin Classics series, he was then asked by the his Word that our Triune God discloses himself publisher to translate the Gospels. At this time in to us, convicts us of our sin, and conforms us to his life, Rieu was sixty years old and a self-avowed the image of the Son, that every year SBJT devotes agnostic all his life. Hughes recounts that when one issue to the specific book or portion of Scrip- Rieu’s son heard what his father ture which corresponds to Lifeway’s January Bible Stephen J. Wellum is Professor of Christian Theology at The South- was about to do, he said, “It will Study. We do so not merely to increase our knowl- ern Baptist Theological Seminary. be interesting to see what Father edge of the Scripture—as important as that is— will make of the four Gospels. It but also more significantly to bring our thought Dr. Wellum received his Ph.D. -
The Parable of the Weeds Among the Wheat (Matt 13:24-30, 36-43) And
JBL 114/4 (1995) 643-659 THE PARABLE OF THE WEEDS AMONG THE WHEAT (MATT 13:24-30,36-43) AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE KINGDOM AND THE CHURCH AS PORTRAYED IN THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW ROBERT K. McIVER Avondale College, Cooranbong NSW 2265, Australia The parable of the weeds among the wheat provides an ideal vantage point from which to examine the distinctively Matthean concept of the kingdom of heaven. By any measure, this parable and its interpretation are distinctively Matthean, for besides being unique to the first Gospel, they contain several characteristically Matthean themes.' Moreover, the most appropriate interpre- tation of the parable has long been debated in the secondary literature. This debate often centers on the issue of the kingdom, and the parable may almost be considered a litmus test for the best approach to take for analyzing the Matthean concept of the kingdom of heaven. The parameters of this study are set by a desire to investigate the Mat- thean theology of the kingdom. As a consequence, though it is normally rele- gated to matters of secondary importance because of doubts as to whether it 1 Take, for example, the following phrases: (1) Keic Earat 6 Kcau)6ava6 Kai 6 Ppvuyio; rtiv 686vTxov (v. 42), cf. Matt 8:12; 13:50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; it is found elsewhere in the NT only in Luke 13:28. (2) ouvreXeta aii)vos (v. 39) and ?v i oTuv CtrexZ Toi aitSvo; (v. 40), cf. Matt 13:49; 24:3; 28:20; elsewhere in the NT the phrase is used only in Heb 9:26, there with the genitive plural. -
The Parables of Jesus Is That We Know the Punchline to the Stories (I.E
Sponsored by ENROLL occ.edu/admissions ONLINE COURSES occ.edu/online GIVE occ.edu/donate SESSION 1 -One of the problems with studying the parables of Jesus is that we know the punchline to the stories (i.e. we know how they end). -In this lesson we tell three stories outside of the Gospels to help us prepare for the study of the parables of Jesus. Three stories: # 1: Story of the Jewish tailor—there is such a thing as an enigmatic ending! Story leaves you wanting more! # 2: Story of the needy family with student in the signature group, “Impact Brass and Singers.” Story of the bad guy being the good guy! # 3: Story of the broken car and helping female faculty member by biker. Story of wrong perceptions and leaving open-ended. -Enigma, bad guys doing well, and wrong perceptions and open-ended are all characteristics of Jesus’ parables. SESSION 2 Resources -Kenneth Bailey says that Jesus was a “metaphoric theologian.” Well, if that’s true we are probably going to need some help understanding him because metaphor, symbolism and analogies are not always easy to interpret. Resources (from most significant to lesser significant): 1) Klyne Snodgrass, Stories with Intent. 2) Kenneth Bailey, Through Peasant Eyes, Poet and Peasant, and Jesus through Middle Easter Eyes. 3) Gary Burge, Jesus the Storyteller. 4) Craig Blomberg, Interpreting the Parables. 5) Craig Blomberg, Preaching the Parables. 6) Roy Clements, A Sting in the Tale. 7) C.H. Dodd, The Parables of the Kingdom. 8) William Herzog, The Parables as Subversive Speech. -
The Parables of Jesus: Friendly Subversive Speech
The Parables of Jesus: Friendly Subversive Speech Introduction 4 Tell it Slant Typology and Parables The Four Gospels and Parables Messianic Consciousness Matthew’s Sermon of Parables 1 The Parable of the Sower 13 “Holy Seed” Isaiah’s Open Secret Jesus’ Interpretation Good-Soil Understanding 2 The Parable of the Weeds among the Wheat 22 Mustard Seeds and Yeast Echoes of Asaph Jesus’ Explanation 3 The Parables of the Hidden Treasure, the Pearl, and the Net 32 The Joy of the Gospel The Net New Treasures 4 The Parable of the Good Samaritan 37 Setting the Scene Augustine’s Allegory The Expert Who is my Neighbor? Messianic Edge 5 The Parable of the Friend at Midnight 50 Midnight Request Global Neighbors How Much More! 6 The Parable of the Rich Fool 55 Do We Practice What We Preach? The Meaning of Life All Kinds of Greed The Fool Jesus’ Hierarchy of Needs 7 The Parable of the Faithful Servants and the Exuberant Master 67 The Master is Coming! The Master Serves 8 The Parable of the Faithless Servant and the Furious Master 73 Managerial Responsibilities Managers of the Mysteries of God’s Revelation The Master’s Fury 1 9 The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree 80 Fig Tree Judgment Repentance Productivity 10 The Parable of the Great Banquet 86 The Narrow Door Jesus Will Not Be Managed Tension Around the Table Mundane Excuses The Host 11 The Parable of the Tower Builder and King at War 94 Christ-less Christianity Counting the Cost Who Among You? 12 The Parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Sons 101 The Compassionate Father Prodigal -
The Parables of Jesus
F The Parables of Jesus The Camp Hill Church of Christ 3042 Cumberland Blvd. Camp Hill, PA 17011 1-717-737-5587 Introduction The parables of Jesus are among the most beloved of all stories in the Bible, or ever told. Unique in approach, these simple and colorful stories were effective, because they played to the everyday experiences of people, with poignant endings that brought the message home powerfully. Jesus' parables were often surprising and paradoxical. Someone once said that listening to Jesus tell a parable must have been a little like watching someone throw a ball into the air. Instead of reaching its apex and returning directly to earth, this particular ball starts back down and then veers off at a right angle. We watch astonished, and search for answers. Today, a detailed study of the parables can benefit us as well, as we search for our own answers. It is my intention to organize the material into a traditional 13 week format. However, there is much more than can be covered in this time period. There are over 40 parables and parabolic sayings covered in this outline, and that is not exhaustive. I encourage students of the Gospel to study the parables in depth on their own time. This is simply a study tool – let God’s word be your guide. Acknowledgements I wish to thank Brother Paul Cantrell for suggesting the approach for categorizing the parables, and for encouraging me to compile this study guide. Many thoughts were gleaned from “The Parables – Understanding the Stories Jesus Told” by Simon J. -
The Parables of Jesus: Better Than Fiction
Winter 2018 Book 1 The Parables of Jesus: Better Than Fiction Home Bible Studies Evangelical Free Church of Green Valley Coordinated with messages by Pastor Steve LoVellette Lessons prepared by Dave McCracken ii Introduction The parables of Jesus can be found in all the gospels, except for John, and in some of the non-canonical gospels, but are located mainly within the three Synoptic Gospels. They represent a main part of the teachings of Jesus, forming approximately one third of his recorded teachings. Bible scholar Madeline Boucher writes: The importance of the parables can hardly be overestimated. They comprise a substantial part of the recorded preaching of Jesus. The parables are generally regarded by scholars as among the sayings which we can confidently ascribe to the historical Jesus; they are, for the most part, authentic words of Jesus. Moreover, all of the great themes of Jesus' preaching are struck in the parables. Parables are not fables, not myths, not proverbs, not allegories. Jesus' parables are short stories that teach a moral or spiritual lesson by analogy or similarity. They are often stories based on the agricultural life that was intimately familiar to His original first century audience. It is the lesson of a parable that is important to us. The story is not important in itself; it may or may not be literally true. Jesus was the master of teaching in parables. His parables often have an unexpected twist or surprise ending that catches the reader's attention. They are also cleverly designed to draw listeners into new ways of thinking, new attitudes and new ways of acting. -
FBC Buda Bible Study 5.30.18.Freedom.The Grace Of
Wednesday, May 30, 2018 – First Baptist Church Buda Midweek Prayer Meeting & Bible Study A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF GALATIANS The Law of the Harvest Galatians 6:6-10 “6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” – Galatians 6:6-10 QUOTES ABOUT SOWING AND REAPING Listen as the following quotes are read. What does the quote mean? Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not? How may we apply the quote to our lives? “Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” -Robert Louis Stevenson “If someone has offended you, start sowing forgiveness. You may need some yourself someday.” -Joyce Meyer “Every selfish, sinful, or indulgent choice I make today is sowing a seed that will reap a multiplied harvest. And every act of obedience is a seed that will produce a multiplied harvest of blessing in my life and in the lives of those I love.” -Nancy Leigh DeMoss “The hard work of sowing seed in what looks like perfectly empty earth has a time of harvest. -
The Parable of the Tares of the Field Peter Ditzel
The Parables of Jesus The Kingdom Parables The Parable of the Tares of the Field Peter Ditzel The Parable of the Tares of the Field appears only in Matthew 13:24- 30: Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. Like the Parable of the Sower (see the article at http://www.wordofhisgrace.org/par1sower.htm), Jesus explains this parable both so that we can understand this parable and to help us understand other parables. Jesus' Explanation of the Parable In Matthew 13:36, we read, "Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field." Notice that Jesus sent the multitudes away. -
Bible Bowl Packet 2016
IC XC WYR 2016 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome . 3 Rules and Regulations . 4-10 Overview . 4 Contestants . 5-6 Advisors . 7 Administrators . 8 Matches . 9-10 Study Guide . 11-42 Overview . 11 Additional Knowledge . 12 How Should We Study? . 13 What Is a Parable? . 14 Where Are Parables Found? . 14 Parable of the Sower . 15-16 Parable of the Tares . 17 Parable of the Mustard Seed . 18 Parable of the Leaven . 18 Parable of the Treasure . 19 Parable of the Pearl . 19 Parable of the Net . 19 Parable of the Unmerciful Servant . 20 Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard . 21 Parable of the Marriage Feast . 22-23 Parable of the Ten Virgins . 23 Parable of the Talents . 24 Parable of the Pounds . 25 Parable of the Barren Fig Tree . 26 Parable of the Two Sons . 27 Parable of the Vineyard . 28-29 Parable of the Sheep and the Lost Coin . 30 Parable of the Prodigal Son . 31 Parable of the Unrighteous Steward . 32 Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus . 33 Parable of the Sheep and the Goats . 34 Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee . 35 Parable of the Importunate Widow . 35 Parable of the Rich Fool . 36 Parable of the Good Samaritan . 37 Parable of the Servants Waiting for Their Lord . 38 Parable of the Great Supper . 39 Parable of the Two Debtors . 40 Parable of the Tower-Builder & the King Who Would Go to War . 41 Parable of the Good Shepherd . 41-42 Contact Information . 43 2 Welcome! The 2016 WYR Bible Bowl Committee would like to formally invite all of you to this year’s Bible Bowl at Winter Youth Rally.