The Parables of Jesus: Jewish Insights into Gospel Ethics, Humor, and Provocation

Many of us heard our first parables of Jesus when we were young, and learned only the simplest interpretations.

"God forgives" - The Prodigal Son
"Help others" - The Good Samaritan
"Keep praying" - The Persistent Widow

But Jesus’ parables are not comfortable stories designed for children. They are provocative and profound; they both delight and discomfort.

And even for those of us who revisited the parables as adults, we often interpret them through the blurred perspective of our 21st-century mindset, missing out on the rich historical and cultural context that would reveal their full meaning.

Hearing the parables in their proper historical context—as Jewish stories—corrects their frequent antisemitic interpretations even as it recovers the meaning and richness of Jesus' teachings, including insights into the social roles and dynamics of first-century Jewish women, deeper economic and ethical implications, and even his humor.

How might the first hearers of the parables, who lacked knowledge of Jesus’s death, have understood them?

How do the Evangelists interpret the parables initially, and what are the implications of their interpretations?

How did antisemitic interpretations of parables evolve, and what measures can be taken to rectify them?

While many perceive the parables to focus on salvation or Christology, what insights do they offer regarding economics, ethics, insiders and outsiders, and the dynamics between the enslaved and enslavers?

How do parables contribute to our understanding of the social roles of first-century Jewish women?

Amy Jill Levine ("AJ") is Rabbi Stanley M. Kessler Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace and University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies Emerita at Vanderbilt. Her publications include The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus, Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi, and, with Marc Brettler, The Bible With and Without Jesus. With Brettler, she also co-edited The Jewish Annotated New Testament. She is the first Jew to teach the New Testament at Rome's Pontifical Biblical Institute and is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. AJ identifies as an unorthodox member of an Orthodox synagogue and a Yankee Jewish feminist who challenges exclusionary biblical interpretations.

As an extra bonus when you buy this course you'll also enjoy free access to Dr. Amy-Jill Levine's highly rated talk from New Insights into the New Testament - 2023, "Jesus and Women: Distinguishing History from Apologetic"! In this presentation, Amy-Jill debunks the myth of Jesus as a first-century feminist within repressive Jewish practices. Using the Gospels, literary, and archaeological sources, she uncovers the true roles of first-century Jewish women and offers a historically grounded understanding of gender and sexuality.

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Is this a LIVE course?
This course was recorded live on July 20th - 21st, 2024.
If you purchase this course after July 21st, you'll enjoy lifetime access to the recorded course and Q&A sessions.
What is the Special Bundle Price?
Our normal price for four individual lectures with Dr. Amy-Jill Levine is $59.80 (14.95 per course). However, you can enjoy the "Parables of Jesus" online course including lifetime access to ALL four lectures, Q&As, and bonus materials for the special bundle price of $39.95!
Are any other discounts available?
Yes! Viewers of Dr. Ehrman's "Misquoting Jesus" show on YouTube or listeners of the podcast can discover exclusive discount codes. Additionally, paid members of his blog at ehrmanblog.org are eligible for special discounts.
Do you offer a money-back guarantee?
Absolutely! If you don't love the seminar, send us an email and we will refund 100% of your investment. You will have 30 days from the date of the seminar.

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