What do you think?
Rate this book
The Cross & the Prodigal: Luke 15 Through the Eyes of Middle Eastern Peasants
Preaching Magazine Year's Best Book for Preachers Where is the cross in the parable of the prodigal son? For centuries, Muslims have called attention to the father's forgiveness in this parable in order to question the need for a Mediator between humanity and God. In The Cross and the Prodigal, Kenneth E. Bailey--New Testament scholar and long-time missionary to the Middle East--undertakes to answer this question. Drawing on his extensive knowledge of both the New Testament and Middle Eastern culture, Bailey presents an interpretation of this parable from a Middle Eastern perspective and, in doing so, powerfully demonstrates its essentially Christian message. Here Bailey highlights the underlying tensions between law and love, servanthood and sonship, honor and forgiveness that grant this story such timeless spiritual and theological power.
151 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1973
41 people are currently reading
618 people want to read
About the author
Kenneth E. Bailey
32 books120 followersAfter undergraduate and seminary studies, Dr. Bailey completed degrees in Arabic Language and Literature, Systematic Theology and a doctorate in New Testament. Ordained by the Presbyterian Church (USA), Dr. Bailey spent 40 years (1955-1995) living and teaching in seminaries and institutes in Egypt, Lebanon, Jerusalem and Cyprus.
For 20 of those years Dr. Bailey was Professor of New Testament and Head of the Biblical Department of the Near East School of Theology in Beirut where he also founded and directed the Institute for Middle Eastern New Testament Studies. From September 1985 to June 1995, Dr. Bailey was on the faculty of "The Ecumenical Institute for Theological Research" in Jerusalem, with the title of Research Professor of Middle Eastern New Testament Studies.
In 1990 Dr. Bailey accepted the additional responsibility of Canon Theologian for the Episcopal Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf, residing in Nicosia, Cyprus and returned a third of each year to Jerusalem to continue teaching at the Ecumenical Institute.
Dr. Bailey's area of specialty is the cultural background and literary forms of the New Testament. In addition to more than 150 articles in English and in Arabic, his writings include:
Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes (Downer’s Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2008)
“Open Hearts in Bethlehem (A Christmas Musical)” (Louisville: W/JK, 2005)
The Cross and the Prodigal [Revised edition] (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2005)
Jacob and the Prodigal: How Jesus Retold Israel’s Story (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2003 )
Finding the Lost: Cultural Keys to Luke 15 (St. Louis: Concordia, 1992)
Poet and Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, l980)
God Is ... Dialogues on the Nature of God [Revised Edition] (Toronto: FFM, 2005)
Dr. Bailey has authored the scripts for two professionally produced feature length films and has also professionally recorded more than 100 video lectures on a variety of New Testament themes. He has taught at Columbia and Princeton and was for a time an adjunct professor at Dubuque, McCormick and Pittsburgh theological seminaries as well as at Fuller Seminary. Dr. Bailey has lectured in theological colleges and seminaries in England (Oxford, Cambridge, Bristol) Ireland, Canada, Egypt, Finland, Latvia, Denmark, New Zealand, Australia and Jerusalem. He is active as a Bible teacher for conferences and continuing education events in the Middle East, Europe and North America. His writings have been translated and published into more than 20 languages. He is a member of Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas and is listed in Who's Who in Biblical Studies and Archeology (Washington: Biblical Archeology Society, 1992). In March 1995, at the request of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Bailey was the Bible teacher for the triennial meeting of the Archbishops of the Anglican Communion. In 1999 he received the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary “Distinguished Alumni Award for Excellence in Academics.” In 2003, at the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, he participated in a Muslim-Christian dialogue conference held in Doha, Qatar.
The Baileys now reside in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. Dr. Bailey continues his ministry of lecturing, writing and recording in the field of New Testament. In June 1997, he was installed as Canon Theologian of the Diocese of Pittsburgh of the Episcopal Church, USA.
Mrs. Ethel Bailey was a research assistant to Dr. Jonas Salk at the time he discovered the polio vaccine. She taught microbiology (in Arabic), raised a family, and typed a number of Dr. Bailey's manuscripts. In Beirut she was the recording secretary for the board of the American Community School. While in Jerusalem she was active in the leadership of daily worship at the Tantur Ecumenical Institute and in various other aspects of the life of the community. The Baileys have two children.
For 20 of those years Dr. Bailey was Professor of New Testament and Head of the Biblical Department of the Near East School of Theology in Beirut where he also founded and directed the Institute for Middle Eastern New Testament Studies. From September 1985 to June 1995, Dr. Bailey was on the faculty of "The Ecumenical Institute for Theological Research" in Jerusalem, with the title of Research Professor of Middle Eastern New Testament Studies.
In 1990 Dr. Bailey accepted the additional responsibility of Canon Theologian for the Episcopal Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf, residing in Nicosia, Cyprus and returned a third of each year to Jerusalem to continue teaching at the Ecumenical Institute.
Dr. Bailey's area of specialty is the cultural background and literary forms of the New Testament. In addition to more than 150 articles in English and in Arabic, his writings include:
Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes (Downer’s Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2008)
“Open Hearts in Bethlehem (A Christmas Musical)” (Louisville: W/JK, 2005)
The Cross and the Prodigal [Revised edition] (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2005)
Jacob and the Prodigal: How Jesus Retold Israel’s Story (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2003 )
Finding the Lost: Cultural Keys to Luke 15 (St. Louis: Concordia, 1992)
Poet and Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, l980)
God Is ... Dialogues on the Nature of God [Revised Edition] (Toronto: FFM, 2005)
Dr. Bailey has authored the scripts for two professionally produced feature length films and has also professionally recorded more than 100 video lectures on a variety of New Testament themes. He has taught at Columbia and Princeton and was for a time an adjunct professor at Dubuque, McCormick and Pittsburgh theological seminaries as well as at Fuller Seminary. Dr. Bailey has lectured in theological colleges and seminaries in England (Oxford, Cambridge, Bristol) Ireland, Canada, Egypt, Finland, Latvia, Denmark, New Zealand, Australia and Jerusalem. He is active as a Bible teacher for conferences and continuing education events in the Middle East, Europe and North America. His writings have been translated and published into more than 20 languages. He is a member of Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas and is listed in Who's Who in Biblical Studies and Archeology (Washington: Biblical Archeology Society, 1992). In March 1995, at the request of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Bailey was the Bible teacher for the triennial meeting of the Archbishops of the Anglican Communion. In 1999 he received the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary “Distinguished Alumni Award for Excellence in Academics.” In 2003, at the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, he participated in a Muslim-Christian dialogue conference held in Doha, Qatar.
The Baileys now reside in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. Dr. Bailey continues his ministry of lecturing, writing and recording in the field of New Testament. In June 1997, he was installed as Canon Theologian of the Diocese of Pittsburgh of the Episcopal Church, USA.
Mrs. Ethel Bailey was a research assistant to Dr. Jonas Salk at the time he discovered the polio vaccine. She taught microbiology (in Arabic), raised a family, and typed a number of Dr. Bailey's manuscripts. In Beirut she was the recording secretary for the board of the American Community School. While in Jerusalem she was active in the leadership of daily worship at the Tantur Ecumenical Institute and in various other aspects of the life of the community. The Baileys have two children.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
December 18, 2016
'Christians have perverted the message of Christ,' says the Muslim to his Christian friend. 'The story of the prodigal son proves that the cross is unnecessary to forgiveness. The boy comes home. His father welcomes him. There is no cross and no incarnation. Islam with no cross or savior preserves the true message of Christ.'
So begins this profound book in which Ken Bailey seeks to examine this centuries-old Muslim criticism of Christianity. Having lived and worked in the Middle East for decades, he asked everyone in every strata of society he could find what the story of the prodigal son meant to them. He was particularly interested in the responses of peasants in villages who were able to fill in the necessary unspoken cultural detail. What was expected from each person - from the younger son, the older son and the father - in each circumstance is quite different in the eyes of Eastern people to those of the West.
Bailey draws his insights together to demonstrate his belief that the cross is indeed an intrinsic part of the story.
He finishes up with a dramatic play to bring out the hidden depths of the parable and explore the emotive reactions that remain invisible to western readers of the fifteenth chapter of Luke's gospel.
So begins this profound book in which Ken Bailey seeks to examine this centuries-old Muslim criticism of Christianity. Having lived and worked in the Middle East for decades, he asked everyone in every strata of society he could find what the story of the prodigal son meant to them. He was particularly interested in the responses of peasants in villages who were able to fill in the necessary unspoken cultural detail. What was expected from each person - from the younger son, the older son and the father - in each circumstance is quite different in the eyes of Eastern people to those of the West.
Bailey draws his insights together to demonstrate his belief that the cross is indeed an intrinsic part of the story.
He finishes up with a dramatic play to bring out the hidden depths of the parable and explore the emotive reactions that remain invisible to western readers of the fifteenth chapter of Luke's gospel.
June 6, 2008
WOW is all I can say. Dr. Bailey does it again. He gives us a culturally sensitive and correct exegesis of the three parables in Luke 15.
The stories will come alive as you dig into this short (145 pages) book. Do Not Skip the Introduction to the second edition or the Preface. They have wonderul tidbits that will make you stop and think.
Dr. Bailey has lived and taught in the Middle East for over 40 years. He is fluent in Middle Eastern Languages and has found, poured over, memorized and thouroughly studied Arabic and Coptic commentaries that are not available to the rest of us in the West because they have not been translated out of their original languages.
If you love the Bible and want to better understand the culture of the times that Jesus walked this earth then you MUST read this book and others by Dr. Bailey.
I can't recommend this highly enough.
The stories will come alive as you dig into this short (145 pages) book. Do Not Skip the Introduction to the second edition or the Preface. They have wonderul tidbits that will make you stop and think.
Dr. Bailey has lived and taught in the Middle East for over 40 years. He is fluent in Middle Eastern Languages and has found, poured over, memorized and thouroughly studied Arabic and Coptic commentaries that are not available to the rest of us in the West because they have not been translated out of their original languages.
If you love the Bible and want to better understand the culture of the times that Jesus walked this earth then you MUST read this book and others by Dr. Bailey.
I can't recommend this highly enough.
March 7, 2021
Es imposible no conmocionarse con un libro que sabe explicar la parábola de Lucas 15. Siempre, de una u otra forma, nos veremos reflejados en los hijos, en su lejanía del amor del Padre, y en ser encontrados por este.
En ese sentido, Kenneth Bailey hace un estupendo trabajo. Él no sólo hace una buena narración del texto, sino que también nos ofrece respuestas a nuestras dudas del pasaje. Pero más allá, nos ayuda a observar la magnitud del juego de honor y deshonra que para muchos de nosotros, por vivir en sociedad que se basan en el poder y la debilidad, o incluso en la culpa o inocencia, pasamos desapercibidos.
En resumen, es un trabajo fenomenal en cuanto a su análisis gramatical, su estudio del contexto cultural, y de la teología bíblica encontrada en esta hermosa parábola.
En ese sentido, Kenneth Bailey hace un estupendo trabajo. Él no sólo hace una buena narración del texto, sino que también nos ofrece respuestas a nuestras dudas del pasaje. Pero más allá, nos ayuda a observar la magnitud del juego de honor y deshonra que para muchos de nosotros, por vivir en sociedad que se basan en el poder y la debilidad, o incluso en la culpa o inocencia, pasamos desapercibidos.
En resumen, es un trabajo fenomenal en cuanto a su análisis gramatical, su estudio del contexto cultural, y de la teología bíblica encontrada en esta hermosa parábola.
February 22, 2022
This is a life changing book. I coupled it with Kristi Mclelland’s Bible study on the running father and feel strongly that both together were so beautifully simple and foreign to me and I wish I could go back in time and learn the truth when I was a child. It is like that quiet voice you only partially heard even though you thought you understood completely. This is one I will need to read again and be reminded of.
March 15, 2021
Bailey lays out the heaps of subtext in this pericope masterfully. Very helpful book.
The second half, where he presents the story in dramatic form, may be helpful; but it can be skipped without really missing out on any content.
The second half, where he presents the story in dramatic form, may be helpful; but it can be skipped without really missing out on any content.
February 17, 2017
La riqueza que es conocer el contexto de un texto...
October 14, 2024
The writer gives some excellent insights from a Jewish perspective of this Parable.
March 18, 2025
A must read. This book definitely has its spot in all-time top 5 books for me👌🏼
November 14, 2020
The insight this book has given to both me and the others in my family has been immense.
It’s undeniably important to understand something, biblical or not, in the context with which it is surrounded - which makes me wonder how we so often read the surface of something and just accept it? This was helpful to me not only in Luke, but also in context to reading the Bible as a whole; everything has to be looked at as it were intended, not how I’d choose to interpret it.
This book has been so insightful and totally changed how I view Luke 15; I’ve bought a few more of his books and readily look forward to seeing what they have to offer!
It’s undeniably important to understand something, biblical or not, in the context with which it is surrounded - which makes me wonder how we so often read the surface of something and just accept it? This was helpful to me not only in Luke, but also in context to reading the Bible as a whole; everything has to be looked at as it were intended, not how I’d choose to interpret it.
This book has been so insightful and totally changed how I view Luke 15; I’ve bought a few more of his books and readily look forward to seeing what they have to offer!
February 25, 2024
Bailey's biblical, linguistic, and anthropological wisdom provide modern, Western readers with irreplaceable illumination of Jesus' three "lost and found parables." You'll never see these stories, or the radical love of God, in the same way again.
September 9, 2013
I really enjoy Bailey's style, and this book was a bit less technical than some of his others, making it even more easy to read and grasp. He takes a relatively short story and expands on the underlying concepts and cultural understandings that the original hearers would have grasped when they heard it. He adds so much background story to it, that it really comes to life more.
My only complaint, and it is a relatively slight one in light of the whole story, is that Bailey kind of misses the mark in identifying the parties of the story. In identifying the prodigal son as just mankind, he misses the covenant significance behind it. The father figure is indeed representative of Yahweh as he points out, but the older son would be representative of the two southern tribes that were technically still within the covenant with the Father, with the prodigal son representing the ten Northern tribes who were not. Like the prodigal son, those tribes were cast out, dispersed throughout the nations, but they were promised (as seen in Isaiah, Hosea and Ezekiel 37, and elsewhere) that one day they were to be brought back into the fold. As we see this beginning to happen under the ministry of Paul, we see the building frustration of the Pharisees who were dealing unkindly to the idea, just as the older son in the story did.
But as I said, while this is a technical issue of sorts, it doesn't really alter the thrust of this book's underlying story, that of the Father's love even for the people who despised him beforehand, but were now returning to the fold. I just think that bringing in that identification would add a slightly deeper meaning to the story, as well as bringing in the connection and tying together the promises from the OT that were about to take place.
Even without that though, he brings out the extent of the Father's love, which bends over backwards in the face of cultural mandates, and acts in a way that is so contrary to the actions required of someone in the father's position, that it should bring the readers to a greater appreciation of what Yahweh has done for His people.
My only complaint, and it is a relatively slight one in light of the whole story, is that Bailey kind of misses the mark in identifying the parties of the story. In identifying the prodigal son as just mankind, he misses the covenant significance behind it. The father figure is indeed representative of Yahweh as he points out, but the older son would be representative of the two southern tribes that were technically still within the covenant with the Father, with the prodigal son representing the ten Northern tribes who were not. Like the prodigal son, those tribes were cast out, dispersed throughout the nations, but they were promised (as seen in Isaiah, Hosea and Ezekiel 37, and elsewhere) that one day they were to be brought back into the fold. As we see this beginning to happen under the ministry of Paul, we see the building frustration of the Pharisees who were dealing unkindly to the idea, just as the older son in the story did.
But as I said, while this is a technical issue of sorts, it doesn't really alter the thrust of this book's underlying story, that of the Father's love even for the people who despised him beforehand, but were now returning to the fold. I just think that bringing in that identification would add a slightly deeper meaning to the story, as well as bringing in the connection and tying together the promises from the OT that were about to take place.
Even without that though, he brings out the extent of the Father's love, which bends over backwards in the face of cultural mandates, and acts in a way that is so contrary to the actions required of someone in the father's position, that it should bring the readers to a greater appreciation of what Yahweh has done for His people.
September 16, 2023
The word "cross" in the title of this brief paperback caught my eye at a used book store. Kenneth E. Bailey has done a service to the Christian church and to Western interpreters of the Bible by devoting his efforts to providing insights of Middle Eastern culture to the New Testament (click on his name to read his bio).
He brings something special to the task: He is not merely a professional, but a Christian with an understanding of the gospel that is rare in scholarly writing. He doesn't write in a "Bible college" or popular Christian bookstore style. His writing has an underlying assumption that the suffering of the Son of God who came into the world to save sinners is the purest message of Jesus Christ.
Bailey has written a much longer text on Jesus which I review elsewhere Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes . The occasion for his analysis of the parable of the two sons and the loving father has to do with the centrality of the cross to the parable. This a point that would surprise most Biblical interpreters from the Western church. Having spent his ministry in the Middle East, Bailey was aware that Islam says that Allah is forgiving and there is no need for Jesus to die on the cross. The Parable of the Prodigal Son has been used in Muslim circles as an example of free forgiveness offered without a sacrificial death.
Bailey reveals how the father in the parable appears to someone who grew up in the Middle East. A father should not run out to meet his prodigal son. He should throw his older son out of the house for disrespect. The father in this parable sacrifices greatly out of love for both sons. This sacrifice is the cross. Bailey's discussion of this is worth reading and absorbing.
The 1973 book which I originally read was revised in 2005 and won awards. It deserves this recognition!
He brings something special to the task: He is not merely a professional, but a Christian with an understanding of the gospel that is rare in scholarly writing. He doesn't write in a "Bible college" or popular Christian bookstore style. His writing has an underlying assumption that the suffering of the Son of God who came into the world to save sinners is the purest message of Jesus Christ.
Bailey has written a much longer text on Jesus which I review elsewhere Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes . The occasion for his analysis of the parable of the two sons and the loving father has to do with the centrality of the cross to the parable. This a point that would surprise most Biblical interpreters from the Western church. Having spent his ministry in the Middle East, Bailey was aware that Islam says that Allah is forgiving and there is no need for Jesus to die on the cross. The Parable of the Prodigal Son has been used in Muslim circles as an example of free forgiveness offered without a sacrificial death.
Bailey reveals how the father in the parable appears to someone who grew up in the Middle East. A father should not run out to meet his prodigal son. He should throw his older son out of the house for disrespect. The father in this parable sacrifices greatly out of love for both sons. This sacrifice is the cross. Bailey's discussion of this is worth reading and absorbing.
The 1973 book which I originally read was revised in 2005 and won awards. It deserves this recognition!
April 9, 2018
I am a huge fan of Kenneth Bailey--his time spent living in the middle east and seeking to understand the nuances of its various cultures and the implications of those cultures on the gospels and epistles is invaluable. This short work on the story of the prodigal was insightful and helpful but not among his best work--some of his points lacked adequate exploration. But on the whole, his insight that the story is actually about a compassionate father and his TWO lost sons is true and beautiful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2018
Un libro corto, pero con una gran enseñanza, no solo desglosa la parábola del hijo pródigo, sino también la del buen pastor y la de la mujer que pierde su moneda, yo no sabía que las tres parábolas van juntas, como una trilogía, y la del buen pastor también es la continuación del salmo 23, la de la mujer con las monedas se ve que para Jesús la mujer lleva un papel principal, y e el hijo pródigo destaca el amor de Dios para con nosotros.
June 4, 2021
Kenneth Bailey draws on his first-hand experience living in the Middle East, among the villagers, learning their culture, and understanding the original meaning of the parable of the prodigal son as told in the fifteenth chapter of the book of Luke. This insightful book explains in-depth the parable from the perspective of the townspeople, the father, the elder son, and the prodigal himself. This is a must read for anyone longing to learn what this parable means to the Middle Eastern mindset.
July 17, 2019
La parábola exhibe dos tipos de pecado. Uno es el pecado de quien se salta las leyes y el otro es el pecado de quien las guarda. Cada uno se centra en una relación rota. Uno rompe esa relación porque no logra cumplir con las expectativas de la familia y la sociedad. El segundo rompe esa relación por cumplir con esas mismas expectativas.
EL AMOR DEL PADRE ES TREMENDO!!!
EL AMOR DEL PADRE ES TREMENDO!!!
June 12, 2023
I loved how this book was easy to read yet full of depth. It provided so much enlightening context to Jesus’ parables in Luke 15. The second half of the book was a play that brought to life the story of the prodigal son, which was so creative and unique. I highly recommend to anyone who wants to take their Bible study deeper.
April 18, 2020
One of the best explanations of the parable of the prodigal sons I've ever read, with great insights from the author's many years of experience living in the Middle East.
2020 Challenge: A book about the Bible
2020 Challenge: A book about the Bible
November 3, 2023
This book opened my eyes to the story of the prodigal son in such a different way. I am thankful to have come across this book and across this author. I HIGHLY recommend reading the play in the second part of the book and not to skip it!!
August 31, 2024
Amazing and creative exegesis on my a very special parable.
Ken Bailey is inspiring in setting context and drawing a deep and rich interpretation and hermeneutical narrative in both theological and creative reflections.
Miss the play at your peril.
Ken Bailey is inspiring in setting context and drawing a deep and rich interpretation and hermeneutical narrative in both theological and creative reflections.
Miss the play at your peril.
November 6, 2018
Short but captivating historical/cultural perspective on the story of the prodigal.
February 19, 2019
Great short commentary on the Luke 15, the prodigal son as written by Luke. A few thoughts may have been overemphasized with license, but I’m interested in reading further.
February 3, 2020
Solid 4.5 👍
March 24, 2020
This book changed my understanding of Luke 15. Putting in context,with illustrations the world of Jesus. All of K.E. Bailey’s books are treasures of teaching in context.
October 15, 2021
The cultural background made a story I have heard many times before much richer. The presentation of the material is artful - an engaging and impactful combination.
June 6, 2022
I love Kenneth Bailey books with their unique but necessary perspective of the Middle Eastern culture on Scriptural interpretation. This one is short but brilliant.
April 20, 2023
Deep and easy to read. This will change the way you view the story of the Prodigal Son.
April 21, 2023
A remarkable and inspiring look at a familiar passage of scripture. Deeply moving. I didn’t enjoy the script for the play as much as the first half of the book.
February 1, 2024
Excellent theology and easily digestible.
March 4, 2024
Life changing look at Luke 15. Highly recommend!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews