#gospelofluke #parable #narrative #greeknewtestament #biblestudy #bibleasliterature
THE PARABLE AS ART
LUKE Chapter 12: 41 - 48
This passage is an excellent example of several things. Many people study it for its mentions of slaves and discuss whether doulos means slave or servant here. There are morals in the parable too of great use and benefit. There are linguistic features I will comment on later.However its also an example of the parable as a clear narrative unit with a beginning and ending clearly linked.
Note the opening. Peter asks if this is a parabolee / story for us or everyone?
At first it seems like he's telling about corrupt irresponsible ministers and priests with his mention of stewards and slaves and households. But he expands on this!
47 The unfaithful servant unlike the wise faithful steward 42 the one who knew what he was suppose to do will be beated very much dareesetai pollas beated severely which by the way is also a lovely future middle that contrasts with the aorist forms.
48 however the one who didnt knew will receive lesser punishment oligas
This expands to a general finishing observation or promise that to everyone who was given much much will be sought of them and a person who men have entrusted with many things will have all the more asked of them.
Whether you are a leader a minister a priest a steward a politician or a secular administrator abusing your staff slave or free is not a wise action. Sooner or later a higher authority will find you out.
Its clear simple but strong narrative and message story and warning!
Showing posts with label parable. Show all posts
Showing posts with label parable. Show all posts
Sunday, 1 March 2020
Sunday, 25 October 2015
Parable or Myth and Hellenic influence on Jewish culture
PARABLE OR MYTH
and Hellenic Influence on Jewish Culture
Why does New testament Greek use the word parable rather than Myth when both mean story and can refer to fiction and prose.
Many scholars have suggested parabolee is a translation of mashal(im) but why would Matthew chose that word amongst several available?
I suggest and suspect if we had the textual evidence we would find the usage can be traced to the Alexandrian Greek speaking Jewish community which had been exposed to Greek philosophy and rhetoric.
In Greek rhetoric a parabolee is a short story inserted within a longer text or speech used to illustrate an idea or compare it to another idea.
There is also another Greek word parabolos that can be translated as side meaning and the prefix para implies parallels , juxtaposition, something nearby moving along with a similar course ...
Given Alexandria and First century AD Palestine had large populations with people with varying degrees of fluency in Greek I can see the two words fusing into one?
It is also intriguing as it suggests the possibility that rhetorical texts like Aristotles Topics and Rhetoric or Isocrates speeches were well known outside the Hellenic speaking communities in major cities?
Were there Jewish teachers of basic rhetoric training other scribes and teachers on how to explain mashalim to Greek speaking Jews or even teaching Aristotle or Isocrates to students who might need to interact with Greek speakers?
In Northern Galilee of all places?
Or does this tell us something about Matthew himself?
In a single lies hidden lost histories!
and Hellenic Influence on Jewish Culture
Why does New testament Greek use the word parable rather than Myth when both mean story and can refer to fiction and prose.
Many scholars have suggested parabolee is a translation of mashal(im) but why would Matthew chose that word amongst several available?
I suggest and suspect if we had the textual evidence we would find the usage can be traced to the Alexandrian Greek speaking Jewish community which had been exposed to Greek philosophy and rhetoric.
In Greek rhetoric a parabolee is a short story inserted within a longer text or speech used to illustrate an idea or compare it to another idea.
There is also another Greek word parabolos that can be translated as side meaning and the prefix para implies parallels , juxtaposition, something nearby moving along with a similar course ...
Given Alexandria and First century AD Palestine had large populations with people with varying degrees of fluency in Greek I can see the two words fusing into one?
It is also intriguing as it suggests the possibility that rhetorical texts like Aristotles Topics and Rhetoric or Isocrates speeches were well known outside the Hellenic speaking communities in major cities?
Were there Jewish teachers of basic rhetoric training other scribes and teachers on how to explain mashalim to Greek speaking Jews or even teaching Aristotle or Isocrates to students who might need to interact with Greek speakers?
In Northern Galilee of all places?
Or does this tell us something about Matthew himself?
In a single lies hidden lost histories!
Saturday, 10 October 2015
Random Sowing
The first #parable in Matthew Chapter 13 is actually kinda wierd and zen like or maybe not?
#biblestudy #greeknewtestament #parables
The language is 13:3-9 seems quite straight forward and plain. Very few unusual words or features ... some lovely examples of aorist but rereading it I came to the conclusion the main insights I can share with you come from my gardening experience not just my knowledge of Greek!
Neither in English or Greek does it specify WHAT KIND OF SEED is being sown. The sower isn't carefully making holes and planting seeds in rows or a pattern but randomly scattering them while walking alike and apparently not in a field but a long a path or road hodos so the birds eat them or onto stony ground unprepared soil or amongst weeds or thorns?
WHY?
We get given one clue!
Jesus says he who having ears let him listen !
Now all sorts of explanations have been given but consider this?
Maybe soil is being tested.
When I have a lot of seed depending on the plant I put a couple of seeds in several pots to test both the soil and the seeds whether or not the seeds are fertile and whether or not my mixtures of fresh potting mix old soil seaweed soil and other mystery ingredients are working.
A lot of people hear this story and think of sowing a grain crop but what if this is a garden not a farm? The type of plant is never mentioned.
Maybe the lessons to be learnt are multiple?
And one is to take risks testing soil and seed and don't just go for easy crops?
Parables ... mystery or common sense?
Midweek we're back to agoras!
#biblestudy #greeknewtestament #parables
The language is 13:3-9 seems quite straight forward and plain. Very few unusual words or features ... some lovely examples of aorist but rereading it I came to the conclusion the main insights I can share with you come from my gardening experience not just my knowledge of Greek!
Neither in English or Greek does it specify WHAT KIND OF SEED is being sown. The sower isn't carefully making holes and planting seeds in rows or a pattern but randomly scattering them while walking alike and apparently not in a field but a long a path or road hodos so the birds eat them or onto stony ground unprepared soil or amongst weeds or thorns?
WHY?
We get given one clue!
Jesus says he who having ears let him listen !
Now all sorts of explanations have been given but consider this?
Maybe soil is being tested.
When I have a lot of seed depending on the plant I put a couple of seeds in several pots to test both the soil and the seeds whether or not the seeds are fertile and whether or not my mixtures of fresh potting mix old soil seaweed soil and other mystery ingredients are working.
A lot of people hear this story and think of sowing a grain crop but what if this is a garden not a farm? The type of plant is never mentioned.
Maybe the lessons to be learnt are multiple?
And one is to take risks testing soil and seed and don't just go for easy crops?
Parables ... mystery or common sense?
Midweek we're back to agoras!
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