parables - exegesis parables are images or stories in which jesus illustrates some point of his...
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Parables - ExegesisParables - Exegesis
Parables are images or stories in which Parables are images or stories in which Jesus illustrates some point of his Jesus illustrates some point of his
message by a concrete or typical casemessage by a concrete or typical case
Parables - InterpretationParables - Interpretation
• Parables can be interpreted using the following headings:
1) Literary Form, 2) Context, 3) Historical Background 4) Type & 5) Interpretation.
• This is known as an exegesis (from the Greek “to explain”).
1. Literary Form1. Literary Form
• As a literary form, parables contain the following 4 characteristics that contribute to its success.
A. Repetition:• A technique that helps to imprint the story on the minds
of the audience by using certain words, phrases or ideas that are repeated throughout the text to establish its importance in the hearer.
• Eg: The Prodigal Son (Luke 15: 11-32)• Repetition is used with the words “Father, I have sinned
against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.”
• A key idea repeated is the joy at the younger son’s repentance.
1. Literary Form1. Literary Form
B. Contrast:• Opposites and contrasts are used to help throw
elements of the story into sharp relief – this has the effect of capturing the attention of the listener.
• Eg: The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9–14)
• Shows a sharp contrast between the Pharisee who is doing the “right” thing within the culture (an insider) and the Tax Collector who is considered an outsider in the culture.
• It also contrasts pride with humility.
1. Literary Form1. Literary Form
C. Folkloric Threesome• Storytellers throughout the ages have
discovered that three events, characters or issues in a story provide an importance access point for the hearer.
• Eg: The Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 30-37) - three main characters: The priest, the Levite and the Samaritan.
1. Literary Form1. Literary Form
D. The Rule of End Stress• There is often some emphasis, climax or
concentration of attention directed to the last character of the series.
• Eg: The Parable of the Good Samaritan- “You go, then, and do the same.”
2. Context2. Context
Contains two parts: • i) Immediate context• – placing the parable within its surrounding passages in
the Gospel. Eg: The Parable of the Prodigal Son is grouped with a number of parables dealing with mercy or compassion in chapter 15.
• ii) Broad Context • – placing the parable within context of the entire Gospel.
Eg: The Parable of the Prodigal Son is in Luke’s Gospel – main theme in Luke’s Gospel: God’s salvation is for all people, especially the poor and lowly, compassion and forgiveness pervades the whole Gospel.
3. Historical Background3. Historical Background
• What are the cultural and historical issues that provide further understanding of the parable? – Booklet pg 11 -13 & handouts.
• Eg: Jews hated Samaritans and would assume the worst about them.
4. Type4. Type of Parable of Parable
This is to identify the main theme of the parable and group it with other similar parables.
• There are three main types:• Parables about the Coming of the Kingdom of
God – eg The Bridegroom (Mk 2:18-20)• Parables about the growth of the Kingdom of
God – eg The Mustard Seed (Mk4:30-31)• Parables about the values within the Kingdom
of God – eg: The Parable of the Good Samaritan.
5. Interpretation5. Interpretation
• Based on the all of the above – the parable is interpreted in its historical context, and for today.