Matthew's Trilogy of Parables: The Nation, the Nations and the Reader in Matthew 21:28-22:14

by Wesley G. Olmstead

Overview

Wesley Olmstead examines the parables of the Two Sons, the Tenants and the Wedding Feast against the background of the wider Matthean narrative. He explores Matthew's characterization of the Jewish leaders, assessing the respective roles of Israel and the nations in the plot of Matthew's Gospel. Against the current of contemporary Matthean scholarship, Olmstead argues that these parables indicate the future inclusion of other nations in the "nation" that God had promised to raise up from Abraham.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521831543
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	11/27/2003
Series:	Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series , #127
Pages:	292
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.83(d)

About the Author

Wesley G. Olmstead is Associate Professor of New Testament and Academic Dean at Briercrest Bible College in Saskatchewan.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements; Part I. Prolegomena: 1. Introduction: of authors, readers and approaches to the parables; 2. Matthew's trilogy of parables: 21.28–22.14; Part II. The Trilogy in Narrative-Critical Perspective: 3. Jesus' encounter with Israel: the nation, its leaders and their people; 4. Jesus and the nations: characterisation, plot and the reception of Matthew 21.28–22.14; 5. A narrative-critical reading of the trilogy; Part III. The Trilogy in Redaction-Critical Perspective; 6. The trilogy in redaction-critical perspective; 7. Conclusions; Appendix. The text of the parable of The Two Sons; Notes; Bibliography; Index of passages; Index of selected topics and modern authors.

Editorial Reviews

"[Olmstead] demonstrates solid redaction critical study, good narrative impulses, and carefully nuanced exegesis." Journal of Evangelical Theological Society, Jeannine K. Brown

"Olmstead has made an important contribution both to the study of parables and to the study of the first Gospel as he has welded narrative and redaction-critical methods...This book is valuable for scholars as well as serious students of the parables and of Matthew's Gospel." - The Journal of Religion Barbara E. Reid, Catholic Theological Union at Chicago

"Olmstead has produced a most valuable and timely study of these parables and the light they cast on the question of the nation and nations. His arguments are balanced, carefully developed and compelling." - J.R.C. Cousland, University of British Columbia

"This study is so carefully and cautiously done that there is very little to criticize." - Charles H. Talbert, Baylor University, Waco, TX

"This monograph is a reworking of his 1999 Ph.D. dissertation written at the King's College London..."
—Southwestern Journal of Theology

From the Publisher