The Parables of Jesus: A Commentary

by Arland J. Hultgren

Overview

This inaugural volume in the Bible in Its World series offers a comprehensive commentary on the parables of Jesus. Arland Hultgren's outstanding work features fresh translations of the parables in the Synoptic Gospels and the Gospel of Thomas, followed by interpretive notes and commentary on the theological meaning and significance of each parable for readers today.

After an introductory chapter on the nature of parables and their interpretation, Hultgren studies the thirty-eight parables of Jesus thematically, exploring in turn "parables of the revelation of God," "parables of exemplary behavior," "parables of wisdom," "parables of life before God," "parables of final judgment," "allegorical parables," and "parables of the kingdom." He also discusses how the three evangelists used the parables within the literary framework and theological interests of their Gospels. The book ends with a close look at the parables of Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas.

Distinctive in the field for its scope of coverage and its goal of addressing the widest possible audience, this volume will be a valuable study resource for classrooms, churches, and general readers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802860774
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	06/22/2000
Series:	The Bible in Its World (BIW)
Pages:	552
Sales rank:	329,312
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 1.14(d)
Lexile:	1170L (what's this?)

About the Author

Arland J. Hultgren is Asher O. and Carrie Nasby Professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota. Among his books is The Parables of Jesus: A Commentary.

Table of Contents

	Preface	xi
	General Abbreviations	xiii
	Abbreviations for Frequently Cited Commentaries and Studies	xxv
1.	The Parables of Jesus: An Introduction	1
A.	Identifying and Classifying the Parables of Jesus	2
B.	Distinctive Elements in the Parables of Jesus	5
C.	The Universal and the Particular in the Parables of Jesus	11
D.	Interpreting the Parables of Jesus	12
2.	Parables of the Revelation of God	20
A.	Parables of God's Extraordinary Forgiveness and Grace	21
2.1.	The Unforgiving Slave, Matthew 18:23-35	21
2.2.	The Workers in the Vineyard, Matthew 20:1-16	33
B.	Parables of God's Extraordinary Love for the Lost	46
2.3.	The Lost Sheep, Matthew 18:12-14//Luke 15:4-7; Thomas 107; Gospel of Truth 31-32	46
2.4.	The Lost Coin, Luke 15:8-10	63
2.5.	The Prodigal Son, Luke 15:11-32	70
3.	Parables of Exemplary Behavior	92
3.6.	The Good Samaritan, Luke 10:25-37	93
3.7.	The Rich Fool, Luke 12:16-21; Thomas 63	104
3.8.	The Rich Man and Lazarus, Luke 16:19-31	110
3.9.	The Pharisee and the Tax Collector, Luke 18:10-14	118
4.	Parables of Wisdom	129
4.10.	The Wise and Foolish Builders, Matthew 7:24-27//Luke 6:47-49	130
4.11.	Building a Tower, Luke 14:28-30	137
4.12.	The King Going to War, Luke 14:31-33	141
4.13.	The Unjust Manager, Luke 16:1-8	146
4.14.	The Faithful and Wise Slave, Matthew 24:45-51//Luke 12:42-46	157
4.15.	The Ten Maidens, Matthew 25:1-13	169
5.	Parables of Life Before God	180
5.16.	The Sower and Its Interpretation, Mark 4:3-8, 13-20//Matthew 13:3-8, 18-23//Luke 8:5-8, 11-15; Thomas 9	181
5.17.	Children in the Marketplace, Matthew 11:16-19//Luke 7:31-35	202
5.18.	The Two Debtors, Luke 7:41-43	212
5.19.	The Two Sons, Matthew 21:28-32	218
5.20.	The Friend at Midnight, Luke 11:5-8	225
5.21.	The Father's Good Gifts, Matthew 7:9-11//Luke 11:11-13	234
5.22.	The Barren Fig Tree, Luke 13:6-9	241
5.23.	The Slave at Duty, Luke 17:7-10	247
5.24.	The Unjust Judge, Luke 18:2-8	252
5.25.	The Waiting Slaves, Mark 13:34-37//Luke 12:35-38	262
5.26.	The Talents, Matthew 25:14-30	271
5.27.	The Pounds, Luke 19:12-27	282
6.	Parables of Final Judgment	292
6.28.	The Weeds in the Wheat and Its Interpretation, Matthew 13:24-30, 37-43; Thomas 57	292
6.29.	The Dragnet and Its Interpretation, Matthew 13:47-50	303
6.30.	The Final Judgment, Matthew 25:31-46	309
7.	Allegorical Parables	331
7.31.	The Great Banquet, Luke 14:16-24; Thomas 64	332
7.32.	The Wedding Feast, Matthew 22:1-14	341
7.33.	The Wicked Tenants, Mark 12:1-12//Matthew 21:33-46//Luke 20:9-19; Thomas 65-66	351
8.	Parables of the Kingdom	383
A.	Parables on the Growth of the Kingdom	385
8.34.	The Seed Growing Secretly, Mark 4:26-29; Thomas 57	385
8.35.	The Mustard Seed, Mark 4:30-32//Matthew 13:31-32//Luke 13:18-19; Thomas 20	392
8.36.	The Leaven, Matthew 13:33//Luke 13:20-21; Thomas 96	403
B.	Parables on the Joy of Discovering the Kingdom	409
8.37.	The Treasure in the Field, Matthew 13:44; Thomas 109	409
8.38.	The Pearl of Great Price, Matthew 13:45-46; Thomas 76	416
9.	The Evangelists as Interpreters of the Parables of Jesus	424
10.	Parables in the Gospel of Thomas	430
	Appendices
Appendix 1	The Purpose of Parables according to the Evangelists	453
Appendix 2	The Three Parables of Luke 15	468
Appendix 3	Doulos--Servant or Slave?	473
	General Bibliography on the Parables of Jesus	477
	Indexes
	Index of Scripture References	487
	Index of Other Ancient Sources	501
	Index of Modern Authors	507

Editorial Reviews

Theological Book Review
"A readable and useful addition to both the student's and the preacher's library. Making thorough scholarship accessible to a very wide readership, this is a book to be strongly recommended."

Bulletin for Biblical Research
"A solid piece of critical, exegetical, and theological work. . . Students and scholars alike will find this study very useful."

CBA Marketplace
"Hultgren, a seminary professor, shows his familiarity with Christ's parables in this critical commentary. His exegetical comments are instructive and insightful, his style straightforward, and the argumentation easy to follow for advanced or novice students. . . This is a superb reference work for anyone wanting to study Christ's parables seriously."

Theology
"The particular quality of this book, among the multitude of books on the parables, is the crispness of its presentation and of its judgments. . . Anyone who handles the parables in preaching or teaching will find the book an ideal resource."

Southwestern Journal of Theology
"An encyclopedic study of the parables of Jesus. . . There is something to learn (and probably something to challenge) in each of these contributions."

The Bible Today
"Hultgren . . . provides a comprehensive treatment of the parables in this quality volume. . . This fine book gives the biblical student or informed lay reader a thorough and judicious overview of the extraordinary richness of the parables."

Currents in Theology and Mission
"Anyone who preaches or teaches using the church's lectionaries has to come to terms with Jesus' parables. Hultgren's book is a rich resource for understanding the parables in general and for providing commentary and insight on individual parables in particular."

Methodist Recorder (U.K.)
"The Parables of Jesus will shed new light on the parables for everyone. A detailed, but readable, commentary, it ought to be as widely used as Dodd and Jeremias were in their day. . . You don't have to be a scholar to appreciate this book. With more that 500 pages of superb scholarship, it is good value indeed."

Richard A. Lischer
"Hultgren's commentary moves with perfect clarity from the text to exegesis to thoughtful exposition of these enigmatic sayings of Jesus. Any preacher or teacher of the parables will return to this book as to a faithful and reliable friend."

Robert Kysar
"This is undoubtedly the best book available on the parables. In this veritable enyclopedia Arland Hultgren masterfully employs a wide range of the best scholarship in the service of the church, providing helpful and insightful comments on how the parables can be taught and preached. A treasure for both scholars and preachers."

Choice
"This book belongs in every library whose readers study parables. While the scholarship is thorough, the style deliberately makes it accessible even to novice students. . . An excellent place to begin serious study of the parables."

Donald A. Hagner
"Hultgren's wonderful treatment of the parables combines the highest level of scholarship, in a non-technical presentation, with a down-to-earth usefulness and insightful application -- all of which superbly clarifies their meaning. Here is a book I would immediately, unhesitatingly, and enthusiastically put in the hands of anyone who wants help in understanding Jesus' parables."

Theological Studies
"Useful for those wanting a survey of modern scholarly work on the parables as well as for those interested in the evidence and arguments marshaled by Hultgren in support of a portrait of Jesus as a theologian who uses parables to communicate his views of God and the nature of the Christian life. . . Very readable."

From the Publisher

Hultgren, a seminary professor, shows his familiarity with Christ's parables in this critical commentary. His exegetical comments are instructive and insightful, his style straightforward, and the argumentation easy to follow for advanced or notice students.... This is a superb reference work for anyone wanting to study Christ's parables seriously.

CBA Marketplace

A wonderful treatment of the parables. . . . Here is a book I would immediately, unhesitatingly, and enthusiastically put in the hands of anyone who wants help in understanding Jesus' parables.

Donald A. Hagner

Undoubtedly the best book on the parables. . . . A veritable encyclopedia.

Robert Kysar