In this episode we discuss Jesus’ “illustration” of the shepherd and the gate from John 10:1-18. Jesus speaks these words in response to the negative reaction by the religious leaders to the healing of blind man (9:40). Akin to the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus invokes Israel’s prophetic indictment of self-serving leadership. As the “good shepherd,” Jesus asserts his messianic role as the eschatological Davidic shepherd (Eze 34; Ps Sol 17).

Show notes

• The Gospel of John and the Memra tradition - Genesis 15; Jeremiah 1; Psalm 119; Psalm 33:6; Proverbs 8 (3:53)
• Parables/illustrations in John (14:34)
• The apocalyptic context of John 10:1-18 (18:40)
• Shepherd/sheep in Jewish literature - Jeremiah 50:6-7; Psalms of Solomon 17:21; 39-42; Ezekiel 34:4, 23 (25:00)
• “Thieves and bandits” (28:10)
• “Abundant life” and the resurrection - John 5:28-29; 6:40, 54; 10:28; 11:25; 20:31 (34:09)
• One flock, one shepherd, and the regathering of the lost tribes - Ezekiel 37:15-28; Testament of Joseph 19; 1 Enoch 89:72; 4 Ezra 13:39-50 (37:57)
• Wrapping up (47:30)

In this episode we discuss the parable of the persistent widow from Luke 18. Jesus speaks this parable in context to the discussion of the sudden and apocalyptic coming of the messianic kingdom in Luke 17:20-37. As has been common throughout Jewish liturgical history, this parable is spoken to encourage faith and prayer for the coming of the Messiah and the day of the Lord.

Show notes

• The apocalyptic context of the parable - Luke 17:20-37 (5:32)
• Allegory: the widow and the judge - Lamentations 1:1; Isaiah 54:4 (13:02)
• The “elect” in its covenantal context - Isaiah 65:9-22; 1 Enoch 1:8-9 (18:14)
• The delay and losing heart (22:18)
• Similar language in Second Temple literature - Sirach 35:14–25; 36:1-29 (28:35)
• Liturgy and the redemption of Israel - Isaiah 62:1-7; Amidah; Didache 10:5-6 (35:56)
• Modern approaches to the parable (47:35)

In this episode we discuss the parable of the dishonest manager from Luke 16. Within an apocalyptic context, the parable is quite simple and straightforward. The dishonest manager responds wisely in light of his own future judgment, whereas the “sons of this age” (v. 8) respond unwisely with their “unrighteous wealth” (v. 11), spending it on that which does not lead to “eternal dwellings” (v. 9) in the age to come.

Show notes

• The apocalyptic context of the parable (4:42)
• Understanding allegory in the parables (8:43)
• “Shrewd”, “astute”, and “wise” (12:50)
• The unrighteous steward is actually the hero in the story (15:09)
• Background to the parable in the Tanakh and Second Temple literature - Sir 5:8; 29:10-11; 2 Baruch 44:9-15; 1 Enoch 63:9-10 (18:26)
• Modern approaches to the parable (27:36)