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The Parables of Jesus, A Commentary

Scholarly, Academic Analysis of 38 of Jesus' Parable Stories

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A Master Work on 38 Parables of Jesus, the Christ

Jun 30, 2010

by NYWriterBarbaraGarro

Rating:

Arland J. Hultgren's introduction got me all excited that I was about to discover pearls of great price for 38 of Jesus' parable stories. Quickly, I found myself in the quicksand of exegetic commentary and exposition, hand digging a field even more difficult to read through than Jeremy Jeremias' excellent work.

Just looking at the individual research bibliographies for each of Hultgren's 38 parables tells you this is a scholarly work. And, if you are a person in the pews you are likely to have to work hard for eye-opening parable nuances from translations of Aramaic, Hebrew and Greek.

Much knowledge is assumed. For example, on page 72, Hultgren cites Bible translations NEB, TEV, NIV, NRSV. After extensive Biblical study over 50 years and 10 years of focused study to write my new book From Jesus to Heaven with Love: A Parable Pilgrimage, I only knew two of the four. Will readers really want to stop and ferret through 17 pages of abbreviations to learn the names of these four versions?

Is Hultgren's 522 page tome worth your time?

I gave it five stars because I felt it was worth mine. Why? You will learn much, because few have reserched as extensively as Hultgren. His book is a gift to New Testament scholars and wannabe scholars. Take, for example, The Prodigal Son parable with its five page bibliography and 22 pages of text. Hear me, reading this familiar and most popular parable richly rewarded me.

A hint--I skipped all the dozens of pages of abbreviations, individual parable bibliographies, footnotes, basically everything that was not speaking directly to each of the 38 parables and skimmed through some parables like The Net.

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About the reviewer

Barbara Garro (NYWriterBarbaraGarro)
Ranked #154

When I am not writing or painting or teaching, I am reading, literally hundreds of non-fiction books every year. Why? Because I love learning from other people's journeys. Authors work hard to bring … more