A Marginal Jew: Rethinking the Historical Jesus

Acknowledgments

INTRODUCTION TO VOLUME FIVE. THE PARABLES: HOW DO THEY FIT INTO THE QUEST FOR THE HISTORICAL JESUS?

I. The Overall Strategy of A Marginal Jew

II. The Special Problem of the Parables

III. Methodology: A Refresher Course on the Rules of the Road

Notes to the Introduction

CHAPTER 37. THE PARABLES OF JESUS: SEVEN UNFASHIONABLE THESES

I. Introductory Observations on the Seven Theses

II. Seven Unfashionable Theses on the Parables

A. The Number of Narrative Parables in the Synoptic Gospels

B. OT Wisdom Not the Prime Analogue of the Narrative Parable

C. The Latter Prophets and Narrative Parables

D. Jesus the Teller of Parables in the Prophetic Tradition

E. False Blanket Descriptions of Jesus’ Parables

F. The Parables of Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas

G. Few Authentic Parables

NOTES TO CHAPTER 37

EXCURSUS ON CHAPTER 37. THE PROBLEM OF ALLEGORY

NOTES TO THE EXCURSUS

CHAPTER 38. PARABLES AND THE PROBLEM OF THE COPTIC GOSPEL OF THOMAS

I. The Place of This Chapter in the Overall Argument

II. General Observations on the Gospel of Thomas in Relation to the Synoptics

III. Thomas’ Relation to the Synoptics: Test Cases

A. Parallels in Sayings That Are Not Parables

B. Parallels Taken from the Parable Tradition

NOTES TO CHAPTER 38

CHAPTER 39. SEARCHING FOR LIKELY CANDIDATES: A SURVEY OF THE SYNOPTIC PARABLES

I. Introduction by Way of Recapitulation

II. A Survey of the Synoptic Parables by Sources

A. Marcan Narrative Parables

B. Narrative Parables in Q

C. Narrative Parables in M

D. Narrative Parables in L

III. A Test Case from Luke: The Good Samaritan

A. General Observations on the Good Samaritan as an L Parable

B. The Good Samaritan in Detail

IV. A Sober Conclusion to Our Survey

NOTES TO CHAPTER 39

CHAPTER 40. THE FEW, THE HAPPY FEW

I. The Mustard Seed (Mark 4:30–32 || Matt 13:31–32 || Luke 13:18–19)

II. The Evil Tenants of the Vineyard (Mark 12:1–11 || Matt 21:33–43 || Luke 20:9–18)

III. The Great Supper (Matt 22:2–14 || Luke 14:16–24)

A. The Question of Sources and Redaction in the Versions of Matthew and Luke

B. Is the Version of This Parable in the Gospel of Thomas Independent of the Synoptics?

IV. The Talents/Pounds (Matt 25:14–30 || Luke 19:11–27)

A. The Question of Sources and Redaction in the Versions of Matthew and Luke

B. The Meaning of the Parable of the Talents/Minas in the Ministry of Jesus

NOTES TO CHAPTER 40

CONCLUSION TO VOLUME FIVE. FROM UNFASHIONABLE THESES TO CONTRARIAN CONCLUSIONS: FAREWELL TO A FIRM FOUNDATION

NOTES TO THE CONCLUSION

Appendix: An Introductory Bibliography on the Parables of Jesus

Map of Palestine in the Time of Jesus

Map of the Galilee of Jesus’ Ministry

Chart of the Family of Herod the Great

Chart of the Regnal Years of the Roman Principes (Emperors)

List of Abbreviations

Scripture and Other Ancient Writings Index