Jesus’ Use of Parables• Gospels use predominantly

narrative literary form, but most distinctive & enlightening is the parable

• Parable is a simple story that illustrates a religious truth

• It’s easy to understand, yet points to something deeper

• Commonly used in Jewish rabbinic tradition

• Used for clarification or applying something familiar in a novel way

• Jesus & the presence of the kingdom in this world are at the heart of the parables

• Open up for us the meaning of what the kingdom of God is & how we are to live to be part of it

Use of Parables in the Synoptics• Synoptics differ in their approach &

use of parables• Mark – parables confusing to all

because no one really understood who Jesus was; took faith & commitment to Jesus to comprehend His message

• Matthew – Jesus is primarily a teacher, thus confusing to outsiders but easily understood by believers; also connected to faith in Jesus but adds warning against complacency

• Luke – serve three purposes: warn those who reject His message that they are rejected by God, to call people to follow Jesus, & to teach disciples to live an authentic life of prayer, suffering, and care for the poor

Dialogue (Parables) in John• John was last canonical

gospel• Consists of large, well-

developed units with dialogue between Jesus & one other person (like Nicodemus or the Samaritan woman at the well)

• Delve more deeply into what Jesus means by learning how His wordsmisunderstood by the person in the narrative

• John rarely used parables, but when he does (like John 10:1-6) no one understands so he clarifies it with regard Himself, not the Kingdom

• Jesus of John’s gospel must often describe himself, the Father, the Advocate, & the love of God for humanity, rather than emphasizing the Kingdom