Interpreting the Parables - by Craig L Blomberg (Paperback)

About the Book

Craig L. Blomberg offers a comprehensive survey and evaluation of contemporary critical approaches to the parables, and he presents his own distinctive approach which stresses the significance of allegory.

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

"Craig Blomberg's Interpreting the Parables remains a standard guide for understanding Jesus' parabolic teaching. Blomberg combines methodological clarity (limited allegorical approach) with scholarly rigor and close readings of all the major parables. This third edition, with Cara L. T. Murphy's contribution, is a worthy upgrade, with engagement with recent scholarship and a helpful appendix on the land and the kingdom of God. It is excellent for both classroom and ministry use."

--Daniel K. Eng, associate professor of New Testament at Western Seminary and author of The Preacher's Greek Companion to Luke

"Here Craig Blomberg updates his groundbreaking work on parables, engaging a wide array of new sources. Blomberg is one of the leading parables scholars today, and I have found his earlier work a valuable guide in my own research."

--Craig S. Keener, F.M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary

"I have turned to Craig Blomberg for wisdom and insight on the Gospels for more than twenty-five years. His scholarship has long proven insightful, clear, and conversant with the latest scholarship. Jesus' parables are some of the most difficult texts to understand, and Blomberg's Interpreting the Parables has been a steady guide for thousands of people. This update with Cara Murphy will serve even more students and teachers of the Bible who want to be disciples with attentive ears to hear what the Master taught."

--Nijay K. Gupta, Julius R. Mantey Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary

"The third edition of Craig Blomberg's Interpreting the Parables remains a comprehensive guide to and analysis of the Synoptic parables. His challenge to the scholarly consensus regarding parable interpretation continues to be valid and has proven to be influential in parable scholarship."

--Mary Ann Beavis, professor emerita at St. Thomas More College at the University of Saskatchewan

"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."

--I. Howard Marshall, University of Aberdeen

"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."

--Stanley E. Porter, president, dean and professor of New Testament at McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

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

--David L. Turner, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary

"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."

--David J. Graham, Glasgow Bible College

"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."

--David Wenham, Trinity College, Bristol

"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."

--Mary Ann Beavis, Ph.D., professor of religion and culture, St. Thomas More College, Canada

About the Author

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.