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The Parables of Jesus: A Commentary (The Bible in Its World
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.
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.
552 pages, Paperback
First published June 22, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 15, 2015
Not a "sit down and read" book by any means (in my opinion) but more of a "companion study guide" to the parables. I found it to be overly academic and scholarly in parts, though that is to my own tastes I'll admit. Still, the book has some wonderful insights and contextual commentary that allowed me to see the parables afresh, in a new light in which I had not yet seen them. Will keep this book on the shelf as a reference guide when studying any of the parables in the New Testament.
March 12, 2021
A great reference book for understanding the Parables.
November 6, 2024
A very thorough and insightful look at the parables of Jesus. Hultgren begins with a brief overview of how to interpret parables before diving into commentary on each parable, one by one.
The commentary is arranged topically, and each parable is dealt with as it stands in each of the synoptic gospels (e.g. a parable appearing in each gospel has commentary for each individual gospel, whereas a parable appearing in only one or two of the gospels has only commentary for the gospel(s) it appears in). The gospel of Thomas is also dealt with, and parables that appear in Thomas and not in the synoptics are given their own section at the end of the book.
The commentary itself is very thorough and often insightful. The main weakness of Hultgren's work, however, is his over reliance on form criticism. The book often makes very speculative claims about the transmission of the parables, and oddly will occasionally give Thomas preference (though Hultgren admits that Thomas was written later). This often leads Hultgren to ignore setting within the gospel narratives and even to ignore the interpretation of certain parables given within the gospels themselves. All of this means that Hultgren occasionally opts for a reconstructed historical setting of the parables based on speculative form critical methods to interpret the parables.
In addition to this, the author also disregards the clear use of allegory in the parables. This is one way Hultgren sets aside the allegorical interpretations provided in Matthew's gospel, and yet he nevertheless often engages in allegorical interpretation himself, seemingly oblivious to that fact.
If one can read past some of the speculative methods used by the author, however, they will find a marvelous gem of a book that is both insightful as well as challenging to any would be interpreter of the parables.
The commentary is arranged topically, and each parable is dealt with as it stands in each of the synoptic gospels (e.g. a parable appearing in each gospel has commentary for each individual gospel, whereas a parable appearing in only one or two of the gospels has only commentary for the gospel(s) it appears in). The gospel of Thomas is also dealt with, and parables that appear in Thomas and not in the synoptics are given their own section at the end of the book.
The commentary itself is very thorough and often insightful. The main weakness of Hultgren's work, however, is his over reliance on form criticism. The book often makes very speculative claims about the transmission of the parables, and oddly will occasionally give Thomas preference (though Hultgren admits that Thomas was written later). This often leads Hultgren to ignore setting within the gospel narratives and even to ignore the interpretation of certain parables given within the gospels themselves. All of this means that Hultgren occasionally opts for a reconstructed historical setting of the parables based on speculative form critical methods to interpret the parables.
In addition to this, the author also disregards the clear use of allegory in the parables. This is one way Hultgren sets aside the allegorical interpretations provided in Matthew's gospel, and yet he nevertheless often engages in allegorical interpretation himself, seemingly oblivious to that fact.
If one can read past some of the speculative methods used by the author, however, they will find a marvelous gem of a book that is both insightful as well as challenging to any would be interpreter of the parables.
December 16, 2014
Hultgren provides a thorough, detailed commentary on thirty-eight synoptic parables, which he divides into seven different groupings. He follows a regular pattern for the analysis of each parable: technical notes on text and translation, textual critical notes, exegetical commentary, exposition, and bibliography. While Hultgren provides fresh insights, he also casts light on the parables by considering the original intention of the text in the culture of Jesus' day. He is also concerned with the meaning of the parables for faith and living.
While the scholarship is always thorough and detailed, Hultgren’s writing style is lucid and non-technical, making the book accessible even to neophytes. This is a superb reference work that demonstrates an essentially conservative approach to the text. There are some weaknesses, however. Too often, I felt the author believed a verse to be the redactional work of the evangelist when the language will be seen by many to be the authentic words of Christ. At some points I think Hultgren’s emphasis on grace was too strong, which dims the meaning of the text. Nevertheless, students, pastors and scholars alike will find this work very useful.
While the scholarship is always thorough and detailed, Hultgren’s writing style is lucid and non-technical, making the book accessible even to neophytes. This is a superb reference work that demonstrates an essentially conservative approach to the text. There are some weaknesses, however. Too often, I felt the author believed a verse to be the redactional work of the evangelist when the language will be seen by many to be the authentic words of Christ. At some points I think Hultgren’s emphasis on grace was too strong, which dims the meaning of the text. Nevertheless, students, pastors and scholars alike will find this work very useful.
July 6, 2011
Hultgren offers a very thorough and informative commentary. He begins by defining parables and then very deftly goes through each parable as it appears in its cannonical context in the gospels in which each given parable appears. He also includes comments on parallel parables that occur in the Gospel of Thomas. He begins each discussion by looking at questions of translation in regards to the various Greek editiions of the Gospels that are available. Then he continues with a scholarly look at each parable--this look includes comments on particular words, cultural observations, and brief discussions on how each parable is most likely rooted in the ministry of Jesus rather than a creation of the each individual evangelist. I found this volume particularly enlightening. I used this book devotionally even though it is not set up for that. Yet each time Hultgren interpreted and applied a parable, I found it particularly helpful for my own spiritual growth. I don't recommend people unfamiliar with Biblical Scholarship and the Biblical languages pick up this volume for devotional purposes, but it is certainly enlightening for the Biblical scholar and the preacher. (show less)
January 5, 2014
Dr. Hultgren has provided a very readable and understandable discussion of the Parables of Jesus the Christ. He gives a fairly well rounded discussion. Whether you agree with his thoughts or not, this is an important commentary and I recommend highly.
November 10, 2020
Not quite as comprehensive as Snodgrass' massive volume (now with a 2nd edition), but still pretty useful for a good grasp of the Parables. This a good companion to Snodgrass if one should want any.
June 19, 2017
This book I started reading slowly...to let things sink in. After about 150 pages I decided it was not a book, at least for me, that was enjoyable. Don't get me wrong, I plan on giving it 4 stars. Even slowly it is not a good reading book. It would be a fantastic guide for when each of the parables is discussed in a class review of the Bible.
I am almost thinking of buying a copy for a friend that will start seminary in a few months. Just a bit too factual for me. It would be fantastic if it introduced each parable and then just talked about theories of what it means and represents.
I am almost thinking of buying a copy for a friend that will start seminary in a few months. Just a bit too factual for me. It would be fantastic if it introduced each parable and then just talked about theories of what it means and represents.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews