A New Look at Four Parables of Jesus

Jewish New Testament scholar, Amy-Jill Levine offers a different take on four familiar parables of Jesus-- the prodigal son, the good Samaritan, the laborers in the vineyard, and the pearl of great price.

She writes,

These teachings can be read as being about divine love and salvation, sure. But, their first listeners-- first century Jews in Galilee and Judea-- heard much more challenging messages.

Only when we hear the parables as Jesus’ own audience did can we fully experience their power and find ourselves surprised and challenged today.

The only thing I would say is that it is not the case, as Levine suggests, that almost everybody gets it wrong, but there is a multivalence of meaning in these parables. So, it's not the case that almost everybody gets it wrong, but that there are additional gems of wisdom we can glean from these parables. Levine gives to us some additional gems.

Her post can be read here.