Gospels Final Flashcards
Who were the first parables addressed to? Who were they interpreted for?
Addressed to the crowds
Interpreted for the disciples
What were the first parables about?
The Kingdom
What does Jesus say to the disciples when they ask why he speaks in parables?
Because to YOU it has been given (divine passive) to know secrets of the Kingdom.
Parables give to some and take away from others who do not see.
How do parables have the potential to “take away”
No plain prose. Jesus can be dismissed.
How do parables give? (7)
1 Graphic
2 memorable
3 vivid
4 close to reality
5 thought provoking
6 open ended
7 disarming.
In the interpretation of the sower, what does the soil represent?
The four types of people, four types of response to word and Kingdom.
What do the:
path
rock
thorns
harvest
sower
seed
represent in the parable of the sower?
Path: nonbelievers
rock: counterfeit/temporary believers
thorns: defeated/fruitless believers
harvest: true, fruitful believers
sower: Jesus
seed: the Kingdom
What are the two foundational parables?
Parable of the sower and the parable of the wheat and the weeds.
What is the context of Luke 11?
People tended to travel at night and there was probably not food along the way. So they were probably very hungry. It is a hospitality culture as well.
What is the overall interpretation of the wedding feast.
Gospel is free but costly.
What are the three types of parable, their method, timing, and prime audience?
Type/topic: Kingdom
Method: allegorical, clear in the end
Time: middle ministry
Prime audience: disciples
Type: Everyday people
Method: translucent
Time: middle ministry
Prime audience: crowds, encounters
Type: Controversy
Method: translucent
Time: late, last week
Prime Audience: opponent
What are Blomberg’s four key thesis considering parables?
1: Historically, most interpreters take the parables as allegories- until the 20th century
2: They were correct but allegorized too much
3: Allegorical interpretation begins with Jesus’ teaching
4: Even confirmed opponents of allegorical interpretation cannot avoid it in practice.
What does Blomberg say are 3 good principles for interpreting parables?
- find symbolic dimensions, not wild embellishments
- spot allegory: find extravagant detail that could point to another level of meaning.
- Rule of proportional analogies prevent unbridled speculation: A is to B as a is to b with respect to X.
How does Blomberg determine how many points a parable has?
it has as many points as it does major characters.
3 big conclusions about parables?
1: they start with everyday events and twist into surprising developments
2: they leave the hearer in some doubt, calling for self examination
3: often have a veiled reference to Christ.
Who is the rock in Matt 16?
Jesus demonstrates a play on words: petros (Peter) and petra (rock). Jesus is the rock. The apostles, together, build on Christ.
What are the keys of the Kingdom?
Peter’s proclamation of Peter’s confession grants or bars entry into the Kingdom (Luke 11:52)
What turned Peter into a stumbling stone?
When he rebukes Jesus for proclaiming his death.
What is the message of the transfiguration? What is the application?
Jesus is the Christ, the son of God! True form shines forth. Acts 9, Rev 1
Application: Listen to him, especially when he says hard things.
Matt. 14-17 enters into a time of painful transition. What are the traits of the era?
opposition from Jews
dullness from crowds
slow progress of disciples
What do the four gospels emphasize differently in Matt. 14-17
1: Matthew: 14-16 opposition of Jews, incomprehension of crowds, slow progress of the twelve.
2: Mark 8-10 Jesus is suffering Messiah. Disciples are slow to learn
3: Luke 9-18 Disciples have blunders and successes during “Journey to Jerusalem”
4: John 6-10 Disappointment from Jesus’ family. Leaders show strong opposition.
When the crowds are making no progress, what does Jesus do?
He turns to the disciples and gives more in depth teaching.
How do we categorize Matthew 18?
It is the fourth block of teaching in Matthew and covers community life in the kingdom.
4 ways humility is shown to be a trait of Christian community in the Gospels:
1: If you are asking who is the greatest, you are missing the point.
2: to be great is to welcome children and teach them well
3: do not despise children.
4: rescue a sinning brother.
What is the basic plan for sin and reconciliation in Christian community?
1: Go
2: reprove him
3: Privately, unless it is a public offense
4: Pastors: catch error before it requires rebuke. h
How does Jesus relate to the father/older son dynamic in the parable of the lost son?
Jesus is to the Pharisees as the father is to the older brother in that he ignores their offenses and warmly invites them to join the party.
What are 3 ways parables can vary?
1: various literary styles: similes, example stories, allegory
2: various topics: judgment, grace, decision
3: by topic: kingdom, discipleship
What is the difference between Kingdom and people parables?
Kingdom parables are allegorical, clear to disciples. People parables are low level allegory. Often open ended.
How does the tone of the parables change from early on in Jesus’ ministry to later?
They start off more instructional, and move to more confrontational.
Basic outline and meaning of the parable of the Great Banquet:
1: rich man prepared great banquet/ invited noble guests
2: they begin to make excuses
3: he begins to invite those outside the city and they come.
Meaning: Jesus invites all to his feast. If Jews spurn invitation, the feast will go on. The Messiah has come. Judgment is self imposed for those who refuse invitation.
What three parables does Jesus use to defend his associations with lost people to the Pharisees?
1: Wouldn’t a shepherd seek a lost sheep?
2: Wouldn’t a woman search for a lost coin?
3: Would a gracious father seek lost sons?
In Matthew 18:21, Peter asks Jesus how many times he is obligated to forgive. What is Jesus’ response and what parable does he use?
He says, “not seven but 77 times” (an impossible amount of times)
Parable of unforgiving servant. A servant is forgiven his debt but won’t forgive the one who owes him. To which the master says, “All that debt I forgave you. Was it not necessary for you to forgive?”
In summary, what are the themes of Matt. 19-20
Themes: Kingdom life proven in service to spouse, to children (little ones), to community. Discipleship defined through controversy regarding divorce, children, money.
What is the structure of Matt. 19-20?
Disciples prove themselves in relations with little ones, offending brothers, spouse, and treasured possessions.
How does the story of the rich young ruler demonstrate the commitment to the Kingdom?
Jesus reveals that the rich young ruler’s idol is money and it feels impossible for him to give it up. Peter responds saying, “we gave up everything” Jesus responds by saying yes, but remember that in the kingdom the first will be last and the last will be first.
What parable does Jesus use to illustrate that the first will be last and the last first in the kingdom?
Parable of the workers in the vineyard. The one who works all day is paid last and less. This is used to show that even believers lose sight of grace and dwell on merit.
How does Jesus respond to the mother’s request for James and John to sit at his right and left hand in the kingdom?
Jesus asks if you are able to drink “my cup”which represents the wrath he is about to receive on the cross. This is meant to communicate, that they do not know what they ask.
The ten disciples over the mother’s request for James and John to sit at Jesus’ right and left hand. How do they respond? What does Jesus then say?
They are indignant. Jesus compares them to the gentiles explaining that earthly rulers laud it over their subjects, but the disciples will not act this way. They need to realize once again that in the kingdom of God the first will be last and the last first. There is a difference between how the world measures greatness and how God measures greatness.
What theological reflections does Matthew 20:20-28?
1:These verses meditate on Jesus’ deity and humanity.
2:”I came” statements of Jesus
3:The meaning of ransom and other terms for atonement: ransom, reconcile, Justify, propitiate
4:Jesus’ humanity and ours: he is the example
4 terms for atonement
1: ransom: from slavery. Someone must pay a price
2: reconcile: relationships were at odds but now are not.
3: Justify: we are condemned but the charges have been dismissed.
4: propitiate: unworthy standing in the temple that Jesus has atoned for.
Several of Jesus’ I have come statements: (5)
I have come to:
1: call sinners to repentance
2: seek and save what was lost
3: so that whoever remains in me will not remain in darkness
4: to serve/give his life as a ransom
5: to save sinners
What does Jesus promise the twelve disciples as the rich young ruler leaves and Peter asks, “What then will there be for us?”
That they would sit on 12 thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
What have been the ramifications of overlooking Jesus’ implicit claims to deity in the synoptic gospels?
Evangelicals have given comfort to theological adversaries and impoverished their understanding of Jesus.
How did Jesus make implicit claims to deity in the gospels?
He manifested awareness of his deity throughout his ministry in actions and teachings that rightly issue from God alone.
Two NT references that show Jesus’ humanity:
Luke 2:52 He grew in stature
Heb. 5:8 he learned obedience