Unlock the profound wisdom of Jesus' parables with this definitive guide for understanding, interpreting, and teaching Jesus' parables in the Gospels.

Interpreting the Parables remains the essential resource for anyone seeking to uncover the deep theological truths within Jesus' most memorable teachings. New Testament scholar Craig Blomberg offers a comprehensive exploration of methodology and analysis that has guided scholars, pastors, and committed Bible readers for decades.

Blomberg addresses the enduring challenge of interpreting these stories and presents a thorough survey of parable scholarship, evaluating contemporary critical approaches to the parables. He then establishes his own distinctive limited allegorical approach and provides practical tools for understanding the parables.

The book's two-part structure lays a strong methodological foundation before examining each parable, providing brief interpretations that highlight the insights to be gained from his distinctive method. This time-tested approach has proven invaluable for those seeking to study, teach, and preach on the parables.

What's New in the Third Edition



- New discussions of the literary context of each parable

- Engagement with recent literature and updated citations throughout

- A new appendix on the land and the kingdom of God by Cara L. T. Murphy



With consistent interpretation and categorization, Blomberg models how to draw out key themes and theological truths from this rich area of Jesus' teaching. Whether you are preparing sermons, teaching, or studying Scripture personally, Interpreting the Parables offers the rigor and wisdom needed to unlock the riches found in the parables.



Craig L. Blomberg (PhD, Aberdeen) is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Denver Seminary. His books include Neither Poverty nor Riches, Jesus and the Gospels: An Introduction and Survey, The Historical Reliability of John's Gospel, Making Sense of the New Testament: 3 Crucial Questions, and Preaching the Parables.



Cara L. T. Murphy (PhD, Columbia International University) is adjunct professor of New Testament at Denver Seminary. She is also the author of The Inquisitive Christ: Engaging 12 Questions from the Son of God.



Abbreviations

Preface

1. Introduction

Part One: Methods Controversies in Interpreting the Parables

2. Parable Allegory

3. Form Criticism the Parables

4. Redaction Criticism of the Parables

5. New Literary Hermeneutical Methods

Conclusions to Part One

Part Two: The Meaning Significance of Individual Parables

6. Simple Three-Point Parables

7. Complex Three-Point Parables

8.Two-Point One-Point Parables

9. The Theology of the Parables: The Kingdom the Christ

Conclusions to Part Two

Author Index

Scripture Index



"This book is well written and meticulously researched, worth reading for its innumerable footnotes alone. It interacts with a wide range of literature of all shades."



"It is good news when a good book on an important topic gets a new lease of life. Blomberg's book is lucid, well-informed and reliable, and I warmly welcome this new updated edition."



"This book is highly recommended. . . . All serious teachers and expositors of the parables should profit from this book."



"This revised and expanded edition of Craig L. Blomberg's Interpreting the Parables is more than an accessible and reliable guide to the history of parable interpretation and the exegetical methods that have been applied to the parables in recent research. Blomberg's nuanced defense of allegory as a valid approach to parable interpretation is a worthwhile contribution to contemporary scholarship. His provocative contention that the parables of Jesus contain implicit Christological claims will be welcome to evangelical and other traditional Christian readers."



"Interpreting the Parables will appeal to theological students as what will, I suspect, become the standard evangelical textbook on the subject . . . much superior to its rivals."



"Craig Blomberg continues to swim strongly against the tide with his 'minority position' in parables studies. I think he makes as good a case as possible for his position that Jesus' parables are allegories, and in the course of his exposition of the individual parables usually ensures that there are some new insights even for interpreters who disagree with him. His updated discussion of the history of parable research, and his attention to recent developments in parable theory, will be welcomed by everyone."