JESUS AS A TEACHER

JESUS’ METHODS OF TEACHIN ESPEICALLY IN PARABLES

[Pick the date]

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UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

FACULTY OF DIVINITY AND RELIGIOUS SUTDIES

“JESUS AS TEACHER”

‘JESUS ‘METHODS OF TEACHING ESPECIALY IN PARABLES

BY: REVEREND EMMANUEL BAHADUR

DEPARARTMENT OF CHRISTIAN ETHICS AND PRACTICAL THEOLOGY

NEW COLLEGE

SUPERVISOR: DR. J.I.M MCDONALD

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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHEPTER THREE

SUMMARY

CONCLUSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY
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INTRODUCTION

My purpose in writing this essay is to demonstrate that although Jesus uses the teaching
methods of his contemporary Jewish rabbis yet his main focus is to bring his audience, through
his parables, to an encounter with God and so to the decision to accept or reject.

Chapter one focuses on Jesus as a teacher.

Chapter two describes the teaching methods used by Jesus, especially his parables.

Chapter three contains my personal assessment of Jesus’ Methods of teaching in parables.

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CHAPTER ONE

In this chapter, we shall discuss Jesus role as a teacher and ask what the New Testament tells us
about the means, material and purpose of his teaching.

Jesus enters into this world as a human. His ministry seems to be three fold. The Evangelists
record shows that Jesus went through Galilee, teaching and preaching and healing (Matthew
4:23) but throughout the Gospel writings his teaching ministry precedes those of preaching and
healing. Robert H. Stein, while focusing on him as a teacher, argues that “one group may
emphasize that Jesus was /is the “Prophet”, another “Savior” another “Lord”, another
“Messiah” ET. In some circles, however, the role of Jesus has been minimized partly perhaps
because of the reaction to the portrait of Jesus as a teacher which characterized nineteenth
century liberalism. Nevertheless, within the four Gospels one of the titles most frequently used
to describe Jesus is “Teacher”. The title is used of Jesus forty five times.”1

Jesus calls himself a teacher (Matthew 23:10). His disciples, common people and the rabbis
gave him the same title. T.T.Manson, While commenting on the same issue, argues that Jesus is
called rabbi not only by his own disciples (Matthew 9:38) or by members of the public (Mark
(9:17) but by the learned themselves (Mark 12:14, 32). This suggests that they recognized him
as a competent scholar who could meet them on their own grounds.2 but there should have
been some reason for his recognition as a teacher.

Stein Quotes Jeremian and thus argues that “although Jesus had not gone through the normal
prescribed course of instruction, his wisdom and manner of teaching

1 Stein, Robert H. “the method and message of Jesus’ Teachings’ Westminster press 1978 page 1
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2 Manson T.W. “The Teaching of Jesus” Cambridge University Press 1935 Page 48
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Resembled that of the other rabbis, so that is was not unnatural to apply this title to
him’ 3 therefore we can say that Jesus ‘wisdom’, skill and manner of teaching were the
qualification of this recognition.

Jesus uses parables as a means of teaching whish was known and popular to the people of his
time. The Gospel records the fact that throughout his teaching ministry, Jesus spoke in
parables, in face he never spoke to them without parables. (Matthew 13:34)

Bruce Chilton, while commenting on the issue, says “Parables are clearly a teaching device, an
imaginative projection of meanings on Jesus Part; not his invention as far as the form is
concerned, for the rabbis certainly used them, but the focusing of images, the performance of
stories which present some kind of parallel with human life as his hearers knew it and suggest
deeper levels of meaning which they could pursue but never exhaust.”4

Hence we say that although Jesus used parables as a means or device to teach the people
which were not new yet his parables carried a deeper level of meaning which his audience
could achieve. But the question is “what is the theme of Jesus parables in the context of his
contemporary rabbis or Old Testament teachers and prophets?” Let us see to it!

Jesus and the rabbis of the time use the parables to clarify and teach the main themes of their
religious and ethical issues. “The chief concern of the rabbis is the exposition of the law. The
themes of Jesus proclamation and teaching however, is the Kingdom of God, with particular
stress upon its eschatological significance (Mark 1:15). It is further argued that his treatment of
his theme was not that of

3 Stein, Robert H. “the method and message of Jesus’ Teachings Westminster press 1978 page 1

4 Chilton, Bruce “Jesus and the Kingdom “SPCK” 1987 page 62

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Apocalyptic visionary who wrote the Parables of Enoch (cf especially Enoch 37-71), but that of
the Prophets who used the theme regarding imminent arrival of God’s Kingdom as an occasion
for practical religious preaching and instruction.”

Hence we can say that the theme/ aim of Jesus Parables is not that of Jewish rabbi or Enoch’s
Parables but that of the Old Testament Prophets who spoke regarding the imminent coming of
God’s Kingdom of God is among you’.

Jesus as a teacher builds a close relationship with his disciples and followers. According to
Matthew ( 12:46 to 13:1-2), before he starts teaching parables on one occasion his mother and
brothers come to see him and Jesus, knowing that they have come to speak to him, points
towards his disciples and takes his followers as brothers, sister, mother.

He also creates an atmosphere of intimacy with publicans, sinners and prostitutes, throwing
parties for the rejected people of his time. (Luke 15:12). His opponents call him a friend of
sinners and the fact remains that he is a friend of sinners. But the fact remains that his
relationship with the Jewish leadership is unpleasant. He calls them hypocrites!

The most import thing which we see in Jesus as a teacher is that though he was and is diving, he
comes in a spirit of servitude ( Ephesians 2:6) , taking the form of a human. Through his
humanity he transcends God. In him the audience of the time and the reader of any age can
have an encounter with God.

5 The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible Abingdon Press, New York 1962
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CHAPTER TWO
JESUS’ METHODS OF TEACHING WITH SPECIAL REERENCE TO PARABLES

Throughout this ministry Jesus travels from one place to another usual in the company of his
disciples and other people. Sometimes he is at the sea shore and on another occasion at the
mountains or in the fields, teaching his disciples or people, so he can rightly be called an
itinerant teacher who, like a mobile library, is always ready to impart the truth. He is one who
most of the time, has his teaching sessions in the open air.

Although Jesus does not have the benefit of the modern day techniques of communication, like
films and television and video, yet in his methods of teaching he does use visual aids. In most of
the parables the scenes are changing and characters (mostly male) are introduced which
present contras or comparison to the minds of his hearers and give them an opportunity to
decide. But the scenes are not set according to the mind or expectation of the audience for
they are either crude or difficult to accept. For example, in the story of the Good Samaritan
(Luke 10:25-37) which has three main characters and is set before a lawyer, Jesus presents a
comparison. Joachim Jeremias, while commenting on the issue says “According to the triadic
form of popular stories, the audience would have expected a third character, namely after the
priest and the Levite an Israelite layman, they would hence have expected the parable to have
an anti clerical point. It would have been completely unexpected and disconcerting to them to
hear that the third character, who fulfilled the duty of love, was a Samaritan. Hence it is clear
that Jesus had intentionally chosen an extreme example.”6

6 Jeremias J. “The Parables of Jesus” Revised edition SCM Press Ltd. 1972 page 204
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Likewise, in the parables of the prodigal son, which is set before opponents of the Gospel, we
have three main characters with a variety of scenes. The first part of the story ends with a
welcoming heart of a father towards a repentant son and it has thrill in it, but the story takes an
unpleasant turn with the coming of the elder son.

In this parable “the divine attitude to the repentant sinner is contrasted with the human in the
figures of the father and the elder brother respectively “7. Thus, through this method Jesus
brings his audiences into a situation where they themselves can look into the situation and
decide.

Jesus uses the question method y asking a question either as a prefix or appended to the story
or the question put or implied may be clearly answered. Manson, while commenting on the
issue, argues that “in the Parable of the Vineyard, the narration is followed by the query ‘What
will the Lord of the Vineyard do?’ Similarly in the Parable of the two sons ‘which of the two did
the will of his father?’ of the two debtors (Luke 7:42) ‘ which of these three seems to you to
have been neighbor to him that fell among thieves?’ or the question stated or implied maybe
explicitly answered; the Rich Fool ‘ So is everyone that layeth up treasure for himself and is not
rich toward God; Pharisees and Publicans ‘ This man went down to his house justified rather
than the other”.8

Manson continues to comment and thus says “in all these and similar cases the object of the
parable is to work through imagination and understanding of the parables in order to arouse
the conscience and the real goal of the parabolic teaching is not attained unless the conscience
is aroused, unless, confronted by the story of the Rich Fool for example, the conscience says
‘thou art the man’ or by the Good Samaritan ‘This is what thou must be ‘”9

7 Manson T.W Pages 70 & 72

8 ibid page 71

9 ibid page 71
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Hence the purpose of putting a question in the parable is to arouse the conscience of the
audience, followed by an encounter with God.

Jesus uses dialogue in his parables. Linnemann says that “the parables are a form of speech. Its
original situation is communication, dialogue”. She continues to remark that “even when it is
only the narrator who speaks, a conversation is really taking place” the Narrator, she says “has
already anticipated the possible objections of the hearers because it is to overcome such
resistance that he has chosen the parable as his form of speech.” 10

So in the parable of wheat and darnel (Matthew 13: 24-30) there is an element of dialogue in
the story between the farmer and his men and the concerns shown by the farmers men have
been answered by the farmer. In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) we
see a dialogue is going on between the rich man and Abraham. The first parable is set before a
crowd and the disciples and there is no reaction whatsoever afterwards, except that of the
disciples, likewise the parable of the Sower, have not understood it and they ask for an
explanation ( Matthew 13:36). The other parable in this case is narrated before the Pharisees
who loved money and were scoffing at him, but in this case also there is no such reaction
following the parable. Hence, in these two parables, we may say that Jesus has anticipated the
possible objections of the hearers. Whether they are agreed or not is another issue. On the
other hand, sometimes it is not only the dialogue is brought into the story but there is a
dialogue either at the beginning or at the end of the story. For example, in the parable of the
Good Samaritan, there is a dialogue at the end when Jesus asks the lawyer to go and do
likewise.

10 Linneman E. “parables of Jesus” SPCK London 1966 page 18-19

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Argumentation is another method which Jesus uses in his parables. “Parables are meant to be a
form of argument. It is for this reason that they have only one point of comparison” says
Linnemann. 11 for example, in the parable of the laborers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16),
which is set after the question of a rich man about the ‘goodness’ he must do in order to see
the Kingdom of God (Matthew 19:16), we have an argument between the steward and the
laborers who were employed early morning. In this parable Linnemann argues that “an ordered
system is violated not because the owner is still taking on workmen in the late evening, nor
because those who came last receive a whole denarius for one single hour’s work. The
expectations of the those who worked the whole day that they would receive correspondingly
more, rests upon the confidence that the ordered system of pay would be followed in all cases.
But since the householder pays them only the stipulated denarius the system is infringed. This
is what calls forth the protest of the day laborers. [“you have made them equal to us “]. The
master of the house is able, however to show that the breach of the ordered system of justice
was in truth the appearance of goodness, and goodness cannot be disapproved”12. Hence he
makes it clear that the moral values cannot be disapproved.

Jesus brings another method of teaching in his parables which are the use of the natural
phenomenon or human relation. For example in the parable of wheat and tares (Matthews
13:24-30) we see a portrayal of natural phenomenon. C.H Dodd says: it’s a realistic story or
agricultural life, told vividly and naturally. Attention is fixed upon the moment at which the
farmer becomes aware that there are weeds among the corn. The spiteful act of an enemy is a
part of the dramatic machinery of the story and has no independent significance. He regrets the
weeds; buy is quite content to leave things as they, know that the harvest will provide the
opportunity for separating wheat and weeds. “13 the other parables, i.e. laborers in the
vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16); lost sheep, lost coin, prodigal son (Luke 15) are some of the
examples of this case.

11 ibid page 23

12 ibid page 86

13 Dodd C.H “The parables of the Kingdom” pages 184 & 185
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“In these cases,” comments Manson “some natural phenomenon or human relation is used to
suggest or symbolize a religious truth. The primary appeal is thus to the faith and insight of the
hearers. 14

Another teaching method he uses is that of the common man’s language in his parables. We
know language conveys meaning and Jesus has an art of using common men’s language. Hugh
Anderson comments that “Jesus addresses his hearers in the common place language of
everyday life, of nature and man, of fields and fishing, sheep and goats, coins and lamp,
workmen and bosses, saving and debts. And this ordinary language itself becomes the vehicle
conveying his message of the nearness of God and putting men on the spot where they have to
decide for or against.” 15

Finally, we come to another method of teaching in parables, which are two folds. Firstly, some
of his parables are easy and his hearers can easily decide what to do or what not to do. For
example, those of the lost sheep and coins (Luke 15:3-10) are easy to understand because they
are taken from day to day situations. In such cases Jesus uses a familiar situation and the
audiences are drawn to the heart of the parable where they can have an encounter with God.

On the other hand, Jesus also comes with some difficult parables and such parables are not
easy to encounter. For example, in Luke 15, where Jesus teaches two easy parables he then
proceeds on to a difficult one. The parable of the prodigal son. This parable is hard to have an
encounter for a Jew who has the “churlish attitude of the ‘respectable’ elder brother” 16 or the
parable of the Good Samaritan is also not easy to digest for it presents the caricature of the
faithless Jew or a failure of Judaism. So, by using these difficult methods, he brings his audience
to a situation where they can have an encounter with God and decide.

14 Manson T.W “The Teaching of Jesus” pages 72

15 Anderson Hugh “Jesus” page 52

16 Dodd C.H “The Parables of the Kingdom” Page 120

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CHAPTER THREE

In this chapter, as a Minister of the Church of Pakistan and a Christian educator at Gujranwala
Theological Seminary, I present my personal views about Jesus’ method of teaching in parables.
Before doing so I find it necessary to write a few lines about my country and context. Pakistan is
a Muslim, male dominated society belonging to the third world. The Christians are only 3% to 4
% of the population. The Muslim fundamentalists work as a pressure group among the masses
and even influence the Government policies. Since the fall of the late Zulfiquar Ali Bhutto, the
resurgence of Islam is rapidly increasing and because of the “Blasphemy Act” no one is allowed
to say or write anything against their Prophet or The Book.

We, and especially young people and children, are attached by different questions. For example
“do you believe Muhammad as a Prophet or Quran as a revealed book?” “Why do you not
become Muslim?” they even call us “Mushrik” or “Kaphar” because of our belief in the Triune
God.

They either pull or push or even throw us into a situation where they expect us to say
something about their religion or Prophecy. Our negative answer to their conviction can be a
matter of life and death for us. And the fact remains that there are some Christians, who, under
the Blasphemy Act, have been put behind bars. There have been such occasions when some of
our Christian’s parliamentarians and religious leaders were on the hit list of the militants for
charges of raising their voices against the Blasphemy Act.

Therefore, in such a situation, the question of having a Christian /Muslim dialogue for a
Christian of any age or probably any background is not being encouraged an even the
evangelism of a Muslim, of it is not kept top secret (which is impossible), can be a matter of life
and death for the Christian community and for the seeker after the Gospel and converts also.

But the question remains “how do I find Jesus” methods of teaching, especially in my context
are they applicable in my situation?”

Let us consider the issue!

I am of the opinion that Jesus’ methods of argument or dialogical approach in a context of

Christian/Muslim dialogue in Pakistan is, probably, not now applicable where a fanatic or
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fundamentalist Muslim is involved. However, in a deeply rooted friendly atmosphere they may
perhaps be used. For example, this Christian / Muslim dialogue is even now being used at the
Christian Study Centre in Rawalpindi. Other Christian institutions or individuals are reluctant to
have it.

On the other hand Para Church organizations are also using this method while imparting Bible
courses to their Muslim and Christian students. But its aim is not to encourage comparative
religious study. For example, Pakistan Bible correspondence School has got four centers at
different places. Last year at their main center only out of twelve hundred students, there were
nine hundred Muslims taking Bible study course. During the completion of their course they
have an opportunity to write their questions and get the answers from a qualified member of
staff and at the same time these centers also run “correspondence clubs” where most of the
members are Muslims. Once every month or two they meet to discuss the different issue
arising out of the courses in the presence of a facilitator. On occasions this ministry has faced
fanatical opposition but it has continued for more than thirty years. Hence, in this model, even
though the situation is tense yet still a face to face dialogical approach is being used and in
addition to that , dialogues are also taking place through correspondence and in clubs and in
the Churches as well.

Jesus uses the question method in his parables to arouse the conscience of his audience and
thus allow them to decide for themselves. He never imposes any view on them. We, on the
other hand, use this method in our Sunday school and Bible study groups but our weak area in
this case is that we try to impose our viewpoint on the participants. I think that Jesus’ question
method, with a free choice to the listener, is much better. In such an atmosphere emerges a
genuine decision either to accept or reject.

Another method we have discussed is the changing of the scene and thus by contrast and
comparison situation the listeners are brought into a new world. When hatred and prejudice
are prevailing in the context, the audience is asked to decide to “go and do likewise”.

From my own experience, I can say that in my own country and likewise other countries, racial,
religious and class distinctions exist. Even within the Christian community people livening in the
slums are hated by those living in the village areas or cities not only because of their poverty
but also the jobs that they are involved in.
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But, now for the last few years, these walls are breaking down. Presently in churches there is
not such an unpleasant atmosphere as there used to be. In my own parish we have people from
all backgrounds. Together, they worship and take Holy Communion from the same cup. This
change has come mainly because churches for the last thirty years have been mostly telling the
Gospel stories. And in fact it has been rare that one could listen to a sermon from the Old
Testament. People used to say that since it is easy to narrate a Gospel story so the Pastors are
not preaching from the Old Testament, not knowing [ as I can see it now ] that God was using
them to lessen the atmosphere of hatred and prejudice.

Therefore, I am convinced that this method was and is providing an opportunity to the
audience and the global church to encounter God and make a decision.

Jesus uses another method in his parables. Most of his parables have male characters. It
indicates a viewpoint that he is anti-feminist and is influenced by the Jewish male dominated
society. But the Gospel records the fact that he includes children, sinners, women and even
prostitutes in his fellowship and two of these parables have female characters i.e. the lost coin
and the widow appealing before a judge for justice. Hence I can say that the presentation of the
male character shows what the male characters were doing at that time and the bringing in of
these characters does not deny his concern and love for the oppressed class.

Lastly, I must say that Jesus knows the art of how to use a common man’s language in his
parables. I am of the view that what Linnemann has said “the parables of Jesus have passed
down to us but the ‘language event’ that they affected cannot be passed down. It is not
affected for us just by our own reading or listening to the parables; we do not stand in the same
situation as the original listeners. Our language has changed in the course of history. 17. So in
Pakistan and in other countries as well, his language event can be made intelligible by
interpreting the word of God.

To conclude, I say that the methods of Jesus are subject to change and alteration and could
only be used according to the situation and context.
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17 Linnemann Etta “The Parables of Jesus” page 33

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SUMMARY

In the first chapter we have seen that Jesus’ teaching ministry in the New Testament is
prominent and that he is regarded as a teacher by his contemporary Jewish Rabbis. We have
also seen that the use of parables is not new but that Jesus’ theme in his parables is different
from those of the rabbis or as seen in Enoch’s Parables. Jesus’ theme is that of the Old
Testament prophets, the Kingdom of God. In addition, we have discussed that Jesus throws
invitations to sinners, children, ad women, creating a friendly relationship with them. However,
he has an unpleasant relationship with the Jewish rabbis whom he calls hypocrites!

In the second Chapter we have discussed that by contrast method Jesus brings his audience to a
new world. By asking question he wants to capture this imagination and understanding; by
dialogue he wants to anticipate the objection of his hearers; by argument he says that moral
values cannot be disapproved; by natural phenomenon or human relations, a religious truth has
been presented; and his chosen language serves as a vehicle conveying his message of the
nearness of God.

In the third chapter I have given my personal views about Jesus’ methods of teaching and have
said that in my context a dialogical approach for Christians/Muslim engagement can be
dangerous, although perhaps profitable in a friendly atmosphere. But at the same time his
method is still being used in areas like correspondence schools etc. it requires wisdom to know
when and where to use it without bringing disaster upon the community. Questions, argument
and comparison can also be used as methods to encourage a healthy and open atmosphere.
The language method can be used with the exposition of the Word of God.
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CONCULSION

To conclude, I say that in all his teaching methods Jesus’ main purpose is to bring his audience
to a stage where they have an encounter with God and decide either to say “Yes” or “No”.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Anderson, Hugh (editor) “Jesus”

Prentice Hall, Inc. New Jersey 1967

Chilton, Bruce and McDonald J.I.M “Jesus and the Kingdom”

SPCK London 1987

Dodd, C.H. “The Parables of the Kingdom”

Nisbet and Co. London 1935[reprint 1941]

Jeremias J. “The Parables of Jesus” [revised edition]

SCM London 1972

Linnemann E. “Parables of Jesus”

SPCK London 1966

Manson T.W “The Teaching of Jesus”

Cambridge University Press 1935

Stein, R.H “The Method and Message of Jesus’ Teachings”

The Westminster Press Philadelphia 1978

The Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible

Abingdon Press New York 1962