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Parables of Jesus in the Gospel according to Luke. Felix Just, S.J. http://catholic-resources.org/Bible. Parables in the Four Gospels. Mark: only about 10 parables & related images Typical form: “The Kingdom of God is like…” Matthew: total of 28 parables
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Parables of Jesusin theGospel according to Luke Felix Just, S.J. http://catholic-resources.org/Bible
Parables in the Four Gospels • Mark: only about 10 parables & related images • Typical form: “The Kingdom of God is like…” • Matthew: total of 28 parables • 8 from Mark; 10 also in Luke; 10 in Matt alone • LUKE: upwards of 36 parables • 9 from Mark; 10 also in Matt; 17 in Luke alone • John:no parables; only two related images • John 10: Sheep & Shepherd • John 15: Vine & Branches • But here Jesus says, “I am…”
Purpose of Parables? • Simple stories, easy to understand? • So people can easily remember Jesus’ message? • Any good teacher uses stories? • Or strange stories, difficult to understand? • See Mark 4:10-13 (citing Isa 6:9-10) • When he was alone, those who were around him along with the twelve asked him about the parables. 11 And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside, everything comes in parables; 12 in order that ‘they may indeed look, but not perceive, and may indeed listen, but not understand; so that they may not turn again and be forgiven.’ ” • 4:13 And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables?” • See also Mark 4:33-34; Matt 13:10-17
What is a Parable? • Illustration “Parables” by James C. Christensen • Previous page • Definition by British NT scholar, C. H. Dodd: “At its simplest a parable is a metaphor or similedrawn from nature or common life, arresting the hearer by its vividness or strangeness,and leaving the mind in sufficient doubt about its precise application to tease it into active thought.” (C. H. Dodd, 1961. The Parables of the Kingdom.)
Implications of this Definition: • The meaning of most parables is not so obvious • If we assume we know what Jesus is talking about, we are probably missing the main point • If we are too familiar with the story, we might not think carefully enough about its real meaning. • Most parables contain something strange or unusual. • They should cause you to say, “Wait a minute! That’s not how farmers do their work! That’s not what kings usually do!” And this strange element should cause you to think! • Parables do not define things precisely • Rather, they use comparisons to describe some aspect of how God acts or interacts with human beings. • To say “A is like B” does not mean that “A is identical to B in all respects” • So be careful not to misinterpret or misapply the parables
Parables only in LUKE’s Gospel • Two Debtors (7:41-43) • Good Samaritan (10:25-37) • Friend Asking for Help at Midnight (11:5-8) • Rich Fool (12:16-21) • Faithful Servants (12:35-38) • Barren Fig-Tree (13:6-9) • Closed Door (13:24-30) • Choice of Places at Table (14:7-1l) • Tower-Builder & King Planning for Battle (14:28-32)
Parables only in LUKE’s Gospel • Lost Coin (15:8-10) • Prodigal Son (15:11-32) • Unjust Steward (16:1-8) • Rich Man & Lazarus (16:19-31) • Servant’s Reward (17:7-10) • Unjust Judge (18:1-8) • Pharisee & Publican (18:9-14) • Throne Claimant (19:12, 14, 15a, 27)
The Tower-Builder (14:28-30) & King Planning for Battle (14:31-32)
Three “Lost” Parables (15:1-32) • Intro/Setting (vv. 1-3) • Jesus with sinners & tax coll.; Pharisees & scribes object • Lost Sheep (vv. 4-7) • What’s “strange” about this parable? • Lost Coin (vv. 8-10) • What’s “strange” about this parable? • Lost/Prodigal Son (vv. 11-32) • What’s “strange” about this parable? • Common Refrain: JOY!
John Everett Millais Joseph ScottThe Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10)
The Pharisee& the Publican (18:9-14) by Gustave Doré
Review: Parables only in LUKE • Two Debtors (7:41-43) • Good Samaritan (10:25-37) • Friend Asking for Help at Midnight (11:5-8) • Rich Fool (12:16-21) • Faithful Servants (12:35-38) • Barren Fig-Tree (13:6-9) • Closed Door (13:24-30) • Choice of Places at Table (14:7-1l) • Tower-Builder & King Planning for Battle (14:28-32)
Review: Parables only in LUKE • Lost Coin (15:8-10) • Prodigal Son (15:11-32) • Unjust Steward (16:1-8) • Rich Man & Lazarus (16:19-31) • Servant’s Reward (17:7-10) • Unjust Judge (18:1-8) • Pharisee & Publican (18:9-14) • Throne Claimant (19:12, 14, 15a, 27)