The Challenge of Jesus' Parables (McMaster New Testament Studies)

338 Pages·2000·8.94 MB·English

by  Richard N. Longenecker (ed.)

T HE CHALLENGE OF JESUS' PARABLES
MCMASTER NEW TESTAMENT STUDIES
The McMaster New Testament Studies series, edited by Richard N. Longe-
necker, is designed to address particular themes in the New Testament that
are of concern to Christians today. Written in a style easily accessible to
ministers, students, and laypeople by contributors who are proven experts
in their fields of study, the volumes in this series reflect the best of current
biblical scholarship while also speaking directly to the pastoral needs of
people in the church today.
The Challenge of
Jesus' Parables
Edited by
Richard N. Longenecker
WILLIAM B. EERDMANS PUBLISHING COMPANY
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN / CAMBRIDGE, U.K.
© 2000 Wm. Β. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
255 Jefferson Ave. S.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503 /
P.O. Box 163, Cambridge CB3 9PU U.K.
All rights reserved
Printed in the United States of America
05 04 03 02 01 00 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
ISBN 0-8028-4638 6
Contents
Contributors
Preface
Introduction
I. History, Genre, and Parallels
1. From Allegorizing to Allegorizing: A History of the
Interpretation of the Parables of Jesus
KLYNE R. SNODGRASS
2. The Genre of the Parables
ROBERT H. STEIN
3. Parables in Early Judaism
CRAIG A. EVANS
II. Parables of the Kingdom
4. Mark's Parables of the Kingdom (Mark 4:1-34)
MORNA D. HOOKER
5. Matthew's Parables of the Kingdom (Matthew 13:1-52)
DONALD A. HAGNER
GCONTENTS
6. Lukes Parables of the Kingdom (Luke 8:4-15; 13:18-21) 125
RICHARD N. LONGENECKER
III. Parables of Warning and Preparedness
7. "Produce Fruit Worthy of Repentance": Parables of
Judgment against the Jewish Religious Leaders
and the Nation (Matthew 21:28-22:14 par.; Luke 13:6-9) 151
ALLAN W. MARTENS
8. On Being Ready (Matthew 25:1-46) 177
RICHARD T. FRANCE
IV. Parables of the Christian Life
9. Parables on God's Love and Forgiveness
(Luke 15:1-32) 199
STEPHEN C. BARTON
10. Parables on Poverty and Riches
(Luke 12:13-21; 16:1-13; 16:19-31) 217
STEPHEN I. WRIGHT
11. Parables on Prayer (Luke 11:5-13; 18:1-14) 240
WALTER L. LIEFELD
12. Strange Neighbors and Risky Care
(Matthew 18:21-35; Luke 14:7-14; Luke 10:25-37) 263
SYLVIA C. KEESMAAT
13. "Everyone Who Hears These Words of Mine":
Parables on Discipleship
(Matthew 7:24-27//Luke 6:47-49; Luke 14:28-33;
Luke 17:7-10; Matthew 20:1-16) 286
MICHAEL P. KNOWLES
Index of Subjects 306
Index of Modern Authors 309
Index of Scripture and Other Ancient Literature 312
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Contributors
Stephen C. Barton Senior Lecturer in New Testament, Department of The-
ology, University of Durham, Durham, England
Craig A. Evans Professor of New Testament and Director of the Graduate
Program in Biblical Studies, Trinity Western University, Langley, BC
Richard T. France Rector of the United Benefice of Wentnor, Ratlinghope,
Myndtown, Norbury, More, Lydham and Snead, Bishop's Castle, Shrop-
shire, England
Donald A. Hagner George Eldon Ladd Professor of New Testament, Fuller
Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California
Morna D. Hooker The Lady Margaret's Professor of Divinity Emerita, and
Fellow of Robinson College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England
Sylvia C. Keesmaat Senior Member in Biblical Studies and Hermeneutics,
Institute for Christian Studies, Toronto, Ontario
Michael P. Knowles G. F. Hurlburt Professor of Preaching, McMaster Di-
vinity College, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario
Walter L. Liefeld Professor Emeritus of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical
Divinity School, Deerfield, Illinois
Richard N. Longenecker Distinguished Professor of New Testament,
McMaster Divinity College, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario
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CONTRIBUTORS
Allan W. Martens Adjunct Professor of New Testament, Tyndale College
and Seminary, Toronto, Ontario
Klyne R. Snodgrass Paul W. Brandel Professor of New Testament Studies,
North Park Theological Seminary, Chicago, Illinois
Robert H. Stein Ernest and Mildred Hogan Professor of New Testament
Interpretation, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ken-
tucky
Stephen I. Wright Director, College of Preachers, London, England
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Preface
THIS IS THE fourth volume in the McMaster New Testament Studies se-
ries, sponsored by McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, Ontario, Can-
ada. The series is designed to address particular themes in the New Testa-
ment that are (or should be) of crucial concern to Christians today. The
plan is to prepare and publish annual symposium volumes, with the con-
tributors being selected because of their proven expertise in the areas as-
signed and their known ability to write intelligibly for readers who are not
necessarily academics. Each article included in these symposium volumes,
therefore, will evidence first-class biblical scholarship, but will also be
written in a manner capable of capturing the interest of intelligent lay peo-
ple, theological students, and ministers. In purpose, the articles will be
both scholarly and pastoral. In format, they will be styled to reflect the best
of contemporary, constructive scholarship, but in a way that is able to be
understood by and speaks to the needs of alert and intelligent people in
the church today.
This fourth volume in the MNTS series focuses on the parables of Je-
sus as presented in the Synoptic Gospels. It is a topic that is central for an
understanding of Jesus and his ministry. It is also important for an appre-
ciation of how the canonical evangelists treated the traditions about Jesus
at their disposal. More than that, however, the teachings of Jesus' parables
form, in large part, the heart of the Christian gospel, and so are integral to
all of our Christian lives and ministries.
The topic has, of course, been treated extensively throughout the his-
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