Stories with intent: a comprehensive guide to the parables of Jesus

Introduction to the parables of Jesus

Necessary history

What is a parable?

How should parables be classified?

What about allegory?

Characteristics of Jesus' parables

Distribution of the parables

How should parables be interpreted?

NT criticism

assumptions and hesitations, method and procedure

Parables in the ancient world

The Old Testament

Early Jewish writings

Greco-Roman writings

The early church

Later Jewish writings

Grace and responsibility

The unforgiving servant (Matt 18:23-35)

The two debtors (Luke 7:41-43)

Parables of lostness

The arrangement of Luke 15

The lost sheep (Matt 18:12-14/Luke 15:4-7)

The lost coin (Luke 15:8-10)

The compassionate father and his two lost sons (Luke 15:11-32)

The parable of the sower and the purpose of parables (Matt 13:3-23; Mark 4:3-20; Luke 8:5-15)

Parables of the present kingdom in Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 13

The growing seed (Mark 4:26-29)

The wheat and the weeds (Matt 13:24-30, 36-43)

The mustard seed (Matt 13:31-32; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19)

The leaven (Matt 13:33; Luke 13:20-21)

The treasure (Matt 13:44)

The pearl (Matt 13:45-46)

Parables specifically about Israel

The barren fig tree (Luke 13:6-9)

The two sons (Matt 21:28-32)

The wicked tenants (Matt 21:33-46; Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-19 ; Gos. Thom. 65-66)

The wedding banquet and the feast (Matt 22:1-14; Luke 14:15-24; Gos. Thom. 64)

Parables about discipleship

The two builders (Matt 7:24-27; Luke 6:47-49)

The good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)

The workers in the vineyard (Matt 20:1-16)

The tower builder and the warring king (Luke 14:28-32)

Parables about money

The rich fool (Luke 12:16-21)

The unjust steward (Luke 16:1-13)

The richman and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)

Parables concerning God and prayer

The friend at midnight (Luke 11:5-8)

The unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8)

The Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14)

Parables of future eschatology

The net (Matt 13:47-50)

The eschatological discourse

The ten virgins (Matt 25:1-13)

The talents and the minas (Matt 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27)

The sheep and the goats (Matt 25:31-46)

Epilogue.