Parables in Changing Contexts: a Preliminary Status Questionis

Jewish and Christian Perspectives 39, 2024

Case studies and methodology on the comparative study of parables in Synoptic, Rabbinic, and Early Christian sources. Papers delivered at the Utrecht 201i9 closing Conference of the project Parables and the Partings of the Ways (2014-2020)

Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 2018

The gospel parables are part of the broader genre of Jewish story-parables found in rabbinic literature. In the first half of this article seven preliminary characteristics of Jewish parables are presented, some of which challenge our widely accepted assumptions regarding gospel parables. For example, although there is near scholarly consensus that Jesus told his parables in Aramaic, we do not have a single Aramaic story-parable in Jewish literature in Roman antiquity. All are in Hebrew. In the second half of the study, an example is given of how twin parables are used to convey a novel idea that emerged in Judaism of the Hellenistic period – the value of the human individual because they have been created in the image of God – to demonstrate that Jesus not only embraced this innovative Jewish humanistic approach, but also how he did so with parables.

2014

One of the aspects that biblical hermeneutics deals with is the question of literary genres present in the Holy Scriptures. A parable is certainly a distinctive genre of biblical literature. We find it most frequently in the Gospels because Jesus used this genre in his teaching very often. Why? Not without a reason was Jesus called the Teacher. He was the Teacher in the full meaning of the word and he was aware of that his listeners – often very simple people – on more than one occasion might have difficulty understanding remarkable secrets he preached to them. That is why he applied different methods in accordance with the principles of rhetoric in order to impact the widest audience. Due to parables – short stories that convey a comparison of some known life situations or pictures – he could certainly easier influence a significant number of listeners and impart them in a simple way sublime contents of the kingdom of God, God’s love, mercy and salvation. Countless publications of ...

Acta Theologica, 2009

Research history on parable studies, new Definition and methodology how to Interpret New Testament parables

Brill, 2020

The paper seeks to add another layer to the discussion of the role of the parable, and to consider how it serves the purposes not just of the parable’s author, but also of the redactor of the midrash. Toward this end it focuses on two collections of parables that appear in Genesis Rabbah. The paper first examines each parable as an independent unit, noting its exegetical role and theological message. Then it examines how the parable operates in its context. The parables were later assembled and incorporated into Genesis Rabbah by the redactor of the composition. The goal is to consider the factors that may have influenced where the parables were incorporated by the redactor, and what purpose they served. It demonstrates the redactor’s art of composition in Genesis Rabbah.

HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 2006

The parables of Jesus recorded in the Gospels are profoundly challenging, not only as far as their original audience is concerned, but equally so as far as present day readers, hoping to fully grasp their meaning, are concerned. Renewed efforts to interpret these parables were made by a number of first-rate scholars, who published their research results in a book entitled “The challenge of Jesus parables”, which forms part of the McMaster New Testament Studies Series. This review essay focuses on some of the book’s main characteristics, in particular the resurgence of allegory, the Gospel contextualization of the parables and their application to contemporary issues of life.

HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 2002

During the past decades scholars have endeavoured to read Jesus’ parables as metaphorical stories. This article provides a theoretical overview of the ongoing debate, reflecting both on past claims and present criticism. The assertion is made that the use of the metaphor as a model to read and study the parables of Jesus, remains valid and should be expanded to include the parables in their particular Gospel settings.

Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 2001