The Parables: Jesus's Friendly Subversive Speech

by Douglas D. Webster

A comprehensive study of Jesus’ parables that emphasizes personal reflection and application

Jesus’ parables used familiar situations to convey deep spiritual truths in ways that are provocative and subversive of the status quo. Prayerfulness was pictured by a persistent widow. The joy of salvation in the homecoming of a lost son. Love of neighbor by a marginalized Samaritan. If we’re not careful, we can easily miss details in the parables that reveal their subtle meanings as well as their contemporary relevance.

Drawing on scholarship on the parables as well as theological, pastoral, and practical insights, Douglas Webster guides the reader through each of Jesus’ parables, pointing out the important nuances that allow us to understand them and be transformed by them. Reflection questions at the end of each chapter can be used for personal or group study, and an appendix for pastors provides guidance for preaching the parables. Pastors, Bible teachers, and serious students of Scripture will find this tour through Jesus’ parabolic teaching to be a feast for both the mind and the soul.

352 pages, Paperback

Published March 30, 2021

About the author

Douglas D. Webster is Professor of Pastoral Theology and Preaching at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama.

Reviews

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: A study of the parables of Jesus, why he used them, how they conveyed his message and what that message was, and what they mean for our preaching.

I’ll say it straight out, this is one of the best treatments of the parables of Jesus I have read. Douglas Webster explains why Jesus spoke in parables, his friendly subversive speech, and how this plays out in all of the parables. He both draws on scholarly work and roots his explanations in the text but uses stories, both those of the parables and contemporary illustrations to convey the meaning of the parables.

He begins this work by positing that Jesus turned to parables after encountering resistance and increasing opposition to his teaching and works. He writes:

“In the face of growing opposition, Jesus’s communicational strategy hit the wall. Straight-up authoritative teaching was becoming counterproductive. This is why I think Jesus switched to parables. Through the medium of story he was able to communicate to the crowds without giving his enemies a clear target. The general audience hung on his captivating stories—stories they could hear superficially, almost as entertainment. Or they could hear Jesus’s stories provocatively as world-upending stories. The disciples knew full well that Jesus was doing more than telling simple stories, and he invited their questions. I suspect the scribes and Pharisees also knew that Jesus’s parables were operating at a deeper level, but this indirect mode of communication offered little leverage for their campaign against Jesus” (p. 10).

Webster focuses on the texts of the parables found in Matthew and Luke and the context of the parables in these books. He begins with the seven parables in Matthew 13, starting with the parable of the sower, then the parable of the wheat and the weeds, the mustard seed and the yeast, and the concluding parables of the hidden treasure, the pearl, and net. They tell us the kingdom is rooted in the hope of harvest despite the resistance of many, that the kingdom works without coercion, that there will be growth from small beginnings, incomparable joy, even as there is a final judgment. These are stories people hear, but the disciples question and understand.

He then turns to the parables of Luke (in Luke 10-18), setting them in the context of questions about neighboring, prayer, the follies of worldly wealth, readiness and unreadiness for the kingdom, the fruitlessness of Israel’s religion, like the barren fig, the religious inhospitability to “sinners” and the urgent concern for the lost. In the parable of the lost son, I appreciate that Webster doesn’t only consider how we might be like one of the two sons, but might also embrace the role of the father. In the rich man and Lazarus, he considers Lazarus as a Christ figure and the chilling indifference of the rich man to the poor. In the Pharisee and tax collector, I love the way Webster contrasts merit and mercy.

Webster then returns to Matthew and the Passion week parables. In the parable of the workers in the vineyard I was struck by the generosity to the latecomers–am I so generous as a fifty-year Christian to newly minted believers and joyful that we all share the same gift? We consider the “no” and “yes” of two sons, wicked tenants, joyful banquets and who is in and who is out, and the four parables in Jesus “End of the World” sermon–the faithful and faithless servants, the ten virgins, the talents, and the sheep and goats. All these point me toward the return and rewards and judgments of the King, and what it means to keep faith to the end.

The concluding appendix discusses ten reasons to preach the parables. I’ll share just one:

“The most important thing to remember about preaching the parables is that Jesus is telling the story.“
They are not just general utterances about religion, but set in the context of Jesus life, death, resurrection and rule. They are his utterances and they point to the one speaking.

Douglas D. Webster has given us a work not only useful in understanding the parables, but one that holds the mirror up to us, asking, “What do you see? Are your eyes open?” We’re invited to open our eyes to the light of the gospel and encouraged to use these stories with the hope that God will give eyes to see and ears to hear to our friends who listen to this “friendly subversive speech.”

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Peter Butler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Douglas D. Webster writes in his book, The Parables: Jesus’s Friendly Subversive Speech, that Jesus speaks in parables “to penetrate people’s defenses, circumvent the opposition, extend his gospel ministry, and creatively train his followers” (11-12).
But Jesus says, “This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand” (Matthew 13:13, ESV).
Webster goes on to explain the parables of Matthew and Luke. He does a good job in looking at the historical setting and how the parables confronted the sin in the people addressed by them – calling for a response.
The book ends with an appendix in which Webster gives ten reasons pastor should preach the parables.
For the good that this book provides in interpretation, it seems to me that he got off the right foot from the beginning: Jesus says parables are told so they won’t be understood, and the disciples are always asking Him what the parables mean. Not even those closest to Him understood the parables on their own.
Yes, the parables ought to be preached – as well as the entirety of God’s Word. Yet, this book seems to be missing something in the reasons behind parables.
[This review appears on my blog, my YouTube channel, Amazon.com, Kregel.com, and Goodreads.com.]

[Dave Marrandette · Rating 4 out of 5]

The parables of Jesus are without a doubt the most intriguing and challenging teaching in the history of education. Over the past two thousand years, they have elicited myriad upon myriad of written and spoken material. A basic Google search on the term “Parables of Jesus” returns over 1.1 million results. Parables of Jesus (without quotes) returns over ten million. And, of course, countless monographs have been written on the parables, specifically and within the context of New Testament commentary

So, an obvious question would be “Why another one?” The answer: Everyone who investigates the parables does so with a slightly different perspective. Such is the case with Douglas D. Webster’s The Parables: Jesus’s Friendly Subversive Speech. Webster holds a PhD, has had pastoral experience and currently is a professor of pastoral theology and preaching at Beeson Divinity School. This combined experience does afford him a singular perspective which he shares with his readers. The book is published by Kregel Academic.

Webster examines twenty-two of Jesus’s parables taken from Matthew and Luke. Each of his discussions presents some fresh material and unique thinking. Within each parable his conclusions are based on Matthew’s and Luke’s context not just the parable as a singular unit. One may or may not agree with everything that he has to say, however, your thought processes will be stimulated.

The major disappointment is the lack of a bibliography. One would like to know which scholars might be worth investigating in private study. (It is possible to gain a selected bibliography through the footnotes provided.) He reacts and relies frequently with Klyne R. Snodgrass and Robert Capon.

This volume is highly suited for preachers, teachers and students of the Bible. And a note for using this book: Read the parable first in a couple of translations, then dive into Webster’s analysis. The Parables is well worth having on the bookshelf.

Disclaimer: This volume was provided to me by Kregel Academic for a fair and honest review.

[Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Parables: Jesus' Friendly Subversive Speech is a new book designed especially for pastors to get deeper insights into how Jesus used His parables to communicate the gospel message to His listeners during His earthly ministry. However, this book is written in such a manner that Sunday school leaders, small group leaders, and others who engage in teaching the Bible will gain much wisdom and helpful suggestions in how to make the parables more meaningful to others.

As suggested by the subtitle of the work, Webster posits the view that Jesus used parables to communicate the gospel to the crowds on two levels: On one level, they were entertaining stories that drew in the listeners and made immediate impacts on their hearts because Jesus drew the stories from everyday life and situations. But on a deeper level, these parables could teach the subversive truths of the gospels in ways that sophisticated listeners like the Pharisees could take as insults, but the spiritually hungry in the crowds could take as a balm for their souls.

Webster states that many commentators tend to be too analytical in their analysis of the parables and thus miss the impact of the parables on their original audiences. So, he aims to be mindful of the pastor in the pulpit and the person in the pew to bring out the meaning and applications of the parables that he covers in this book. And Webster has chosen to cover the parables that appear in the Gospel of Matthew and Luke because these two accounts are the most systematic in using the parables of Jesus to illustrate His teachings on important topics; such as the true nature of salvation and discipleship, the kingdom of heaven, perseverance in faith, the value of hospitality, and the importance of the inclusion of women and the poor in the kingdom.

This volume is written in a straightforward and easy-to-follow manner that will prove useful and valuable to both clergy and layman alike. Highly recommended!

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you want to really hear the message of the parables of Jesus even though you have known them for years? Are you new to the parables and need a guide to help you understand these stories? Do you want to preach the parables as more than just moral exhortations from a great teacher? Do you need someone to help you get past your listener’s cultural assumptions so that these words can touch their souls? Then this book is for you!

Douglas D. Webster has written an excellent study of the parables but in order to appreciate it, you must understand both what it is not and what it is. This book is not an academic treatise on the parables in which readers will discover alternative explanations of these stories and careful exegetical consideration of each text. There are books that do that and they should be used alongside Webster's work.

This book is the work of an experienced pastor/teacher who understands how the cultural assumptions even of Christians make it difficult to really hear and understand Jesus’ parables. He gently leads the reader not only to grasp the meaning of the parables but to an appreciation for how they are to be lived in daily experience. No matter how often you have studied the parables, you will probably find something that encourages new reflections on these simple but powerful stories of Jesus. The final chapter provides a guide for those who have the privilege of preaching the parables.

So as you come to the parables of Jesus either as an individual or as a preacher/teacher, keep a few good commentaries handy but don’t forget Webster’s work. The words of Jesus will live for you anew.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I dipped into The Parables, initially looking at the ones in Luke that I was preaching at the time, plus the introduction. But then I continued just reading and not preparing for anything specific. On my shelf I've had Trench, Jeremias, and Kistemaaker since seminary, and that's about it. Added Bailey a few years back, but that gives an idea of what I've consulted over the years. This book offers a distinct and helpful perspective that complements the others.

I appreciate the attention to the exegetical, the interesting citations from other scholars, and always the pastoral/practical. This book provides lots of useful ideas without coming across like this is the last word on the matter; it is more of a stimulating conversation with a scholar-pastor about these passages.

I really do look at the footnotes, and they show how you engage with other scholars, some older ones I know as well as newer voices I have not read. And having the footnotes at the bottom of the page makes them useful; they include helpful information that I read—at least when I don’t have to go farther than the bottom of the page.

As a solo pastor with a limited library, this is the kind of book that is really more helpful to me than the typical reference commentary. I can see it being particularly useful to pastors or to people teaching particular parables. One of the things that I especially like is the care this book takes to fit each parable into both its literary context as well as to the whole of the Bible message. The “slant” perspective is carried through consistently, and that really helps to show the tension in each parable.

All that to say, The Parables is a keeper.

[Rachel Anders · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, what can I say? Unless you are really familiar with the Jewish sages you probably wouldn't realize that Jesus' style of teaching was the same as the Rabbis that taught in the temple. To say that I enjoyed this book would be an understatement. From explaining that the parables were Jesus' way of revealing deeper meaning to challenging my own understanding of the parables this book kept me intrigued.

This book is truly a treasure for the layman and the pastor alike. Whether it is learning persistence from the widow, to the joy of salvation that God the father must feel when one comes home to Him. This treasury is straight-forward and doesn't shy away from telling others what they need to be looking for in the parables.

I received the copy of this book from Kregel Publishers in exchange for an unbiased opinion of the book.

[Joseph VanBuren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book explains every parable of Jesus in the Bible, including their meaning, symbolism, theology, and practical use. It also gives context for why Jesus chose to teach by using specific images and characters and how we can use similar techniques to teach others. The author takes a very biblical approach, and the book is full of insight yet easy to read.

[Judd · Rating 2 out of 5]

Webster is so good with illustrations and storytelling. For some reason I had a hard time getting sucked into this one.

[Tim Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific unfolding of the parables of Jesus in ways that help us understand them better and discover how they apply to our current life.