Relating to the stories told by Jesus in the Gospels to make a theological point.
18
votes
9answers
2k views
What is “The Parable of the Shrewd Manager” about?
The Parable of the Shrewd Manager (full text below) is perhaps one of the hardest parables to interpret. At first glance it seems to be about rewarding dishonesty!
What lesson is Jesus teaching His ...
10
votes
2answers
1k views
What does the parable of the Fig Tree mean?
Luke 13:6-9 (NIV)
6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in
his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find
any. 7 So he said to the man who took ...
9
votes
3answers
121 views
Is there any significance to naming Lazarus in this parable?
The parable I'm referring to is 'The Rich Man and Lazarus':
19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.
20 At his gate was laid a beggar ...
7
votes
6answers
618 views
Why does Jesus not want people to repent and be forgiven in Mark 4?
This is in response the the disciples asking why Jesus teaches in parables...
He said to them, "The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those outside, everything is in ...
7
votes
2answers
107 views
Will all that are lost be saved?
In Luke 15, Jesus gives one parable of a man that lost 1/100 sheep, and rejoiced when that sheep was found. And another parable of a woman who lost 1/10 silver coins, and rejoices much when she finds ...
6
votes
2answers
135 views
What is going on in Matthew 21 and Mark 12?
In Matthew 21:33-46 and Mark 12:1-12, Jesus tells pretty much the exact same parable:
Husbandman leases his vineyard and leaves. He sends some servants to check it out, and they get whooped. He sends ...
5
votes
3answers
139 views
What was Jesus trying to convey in the parables of the mustard seed and yeast?
What message did Jesus Christ tried to give by comparing the Kingdom Of God(Isn't that Heaven?) with the mustard seed and yeast?
4
votes
2answers
99 views
What about the story of the “Rich Man and Lazarus” indicates whether it is a parable or not?
To extend this previous question, what about the text of the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man indicates whether it should be considered a parable or an "actual" account?
2
votes
2answers
155 views
Did Jesus' parables have different meanings to the different Gospel writer's congregations?
My parish priest uses the example of Matthew 13:18-23 to explain that this one explanation of the parable of the sower was the one that Matthew, wanted to put in his Gospel to drive home some ...
1
vote
2answers
92 views
John 14:2: a literal house / temple or heaven
In John, Jesus is speaking of Heaven. However in Matthew he's talking about a physical temple.
John 14:2 NIV
2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have
told you that ...
1
vote
2answers
185 views
In the parable of the sower, what exegetical reasons are there to interpret the third type of soil to be genuine Christians?
In the parable of the sower, four types of soil are mentioned. It seems to be pretty commonly accepted that the first two types of soils represent unbelievers or "make believers". The fourth type of ...
