The Parables: Jewish Tradition and Christian InterpretationFully one-third of Jesus' words in the Synoptic Gospels occur in parables. It could be said that knowing the parables is essential for understanding the person of Christ. In this work, Brad Young displays his unique perspective as a scholar steeped in both Jewish and Christian studies. While parables have timeless messages, reinterpretations in new contexts throughout the centuries have distorted the original meanings and undermined the essence of what Jesus intended for his initial listeners. Young examines the parables that best illustrate the parallels between the rabbinic and Gospel parables. He challenges readers to remember that first-century Judaism was not merely the backdrop for Jesus' teachings but the very stage from which Jesus delivered the message of the kingdom. Jesus' ethics and theology can be properly understood only in the light of first-century Jewish teachings. Young focuses on the historical development and theological significance of parables in both traditions and examines five theological subjects that are dealt with in parables: prayer, grace, reconciliation, calling, and sovereignty. |
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Abot action Akiva banquet biblical Christian interpretation concerning context cultural David Flusser Dead Sea Scrolls described disciples discipleship discussion divine dramatic elder eschatological Essenes fable fable lore faith first-century forgiveness give God’s Gospel of Thomas Gospel parables Greek haggadah halakah heaven Hebrew Hillel human illustration invited Israel Jeremias Jerusalem Jewish thought Johanan Judaism judgment king kingdom laborers landowner listener Lord Luke Luke’s master Matt Matthew meaning Mekilta mercy Midrash Mishnah motif neighbor one’s oral oral law original Parables of Jesus parallel pearl person Pharisees portrayed prayer priests Prodigal Rabbah rabbinic literature rabbinic parables reality receive relationship religious repentance reward rich righteous Sadducees Samaritan saying Second Temple period seed seek Semitic servant sheep Simeon ben Shetach sinners steward story stresses Synoptic Synoptic Gospels Talmud teachings ofJesus theme theological Thomas Torah learning tradition treasure understand wheat word word-picture