Parables of the Kingdom: Jesus and the Use of Parables in the Synoptics Tradition

by Mary Ann Getty-Sullivan

Overview

Do you not understand this parable? is a question Jesus posed to his disciples (Mark 4:13). Just as the first disciples often did not understand Jesus ' many parables, so it is for listeners and readers nearly two thousand years later. In Parables of the Kingdom, Mary Ann Getty-Sullivan helps readers to hear and see and understand the parables of Jesus. She offers a general introduction to the use of parables in the life and ministry of Jesus and the early church. In addition, Getty-Sullivan helps readers learn to interpret parables, to enter into what the parables can reveal about Jesus and his audience, about the evangelists and their communities, and about how we are to understand the Kingdom of God today. Parables of the Kingdom helps us hear and see Jesus ' parables with new eyes and renewed hearts 'thereby allowing the parables to transform our lives and help us respond with new conviction to the gospel's power in our world.

Mary Ann Getty-Sullivan holds an S.T.D. from the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium. She has been teaching New Testament courses in colleges and seminaries for more than thirty years and has recently retired from teaching full time to devote more time to writing and lecturing. Mary Ann has written several commentaries on the Letters of Saint Paul. Her recent books include Women in the New Testament published by Liturgical Press.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814629932
Publisher:	Liturgical Press, The
Publication date:	12/28/2007
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	196
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Mary Ann Getty-Sullivan, PhD, teaches at St. Vincent College and St. Vincent Seminary, Latrobe, Pennsylvania. She is the author of First and Second Corinthians from the Collegeville Bible Commentary series, author of the God Speaks to Us series of children's books, and editor of the Zacchaeus Studies: New Testament series published by The Liturgical Press.

Table of Contents

Introduction to the Parables     1
Parables in Mark     16
Parables Matthew Shared with Mark     49
Parables as Matthew Tells Them     77
Parables According to Luke     113
Parables of Luke's Travel Narrative     136
Conclusion     169
Parables in the Synoptic Tradition     171
Notes     173
Glossary of Basic Terms for the Study of the Parables     183
Abbreviations     187
Bibliography     189

Editorial Reviews

Up-to-date in parable research, it yet presents the material in a deceptively simple and clear manner, and succeeds in bringing out the spiritual and theological dimensions of the parables.
Catholic Library World

[T]his is a useful, comprehensive, comprehensible introduction to the parables.
Review of Biblical Literature

This is a good introduction for those who want to start probing the meaning of Jesus’ most characteristic teaching method.
The Bible Today

This work is clear, informative, and inspirational. Beginners will enjoy its many insights into Jesus’ parables. Even old pros in parable interpretation will learn a new lesson or two and have their hearts warmed to know Jesus more fully and follow him more faithfully.
Robert Karris, O.F.M., The Franciscan Institute of St. Bonaventure University

In Parables of the Kingdom Mary Ann Getty-Sullivan demonstrates how the parables of Jesus, which use ordinary people, events and things, draw the reader to the deepest heart of the Gospels: the revelation of Jesus Christ (Christology) and what it means to follow him (discipleship). She gives the reader a thorough view of Jesus’ ministry and mission in this scholarly and clear to follow, in depth and intriguing presentation. Deliberate attention to the details of each parable heightens not only the reader’s understanding of the Scripture, but excites the imagination as well. One is invited into the world of the parables and thereby, into the world of Jesus. This motivates the reader to come to know Christ anew, once again, and to take up the challenge to follow him by recognizing the possibilities of the Kingdom of God in every day life.
Maureen Crossen, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Theology Department Chair, Carlow University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvani

From the Publisher