“So That They Might Turn”: The Possibility of Repentance in Jesus’ Parables

Since the publication of Julicher’s <i>Die Gleichnisreden Jesu</i>, parable research has largely focused on the legitimacy of allegory, classification of form, and matters of meaning and polyvalence. Still underdeveloped is an evaluation of the function of parables. This paper argues tha...

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Main Author: Leslie T. Hardin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Religions
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/15/12/1424
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author Leslie T. Hardin
author_facet Leslie T. Hardin
author_sort Leslie T. Hardin
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description Since the publication of Julicher’s <i>Die Gleichnisreden Jesu</i>, parable research has largely focused on the legitimacy of allegory, classification of form, and matters of meaning and polyvalence. Still underdeveloped is an evaluation of the function of parables. This paper argues that one of the functions of Jesus’ parables was to invite hearers to turn from their previously defined notions of the kingdom of God and join him in his vision of the kingdom. The paper begins with an examination of the Markan Jesus’ citation of Isaiah 6:9–10 as a justification for speaking in parables and concludes that, while Israel was largely obdurate, the offer of repentance remained. Preaching repentance is one component of the work of a prophet, and an examination of Jesus’ vocation indicates that his parables function as prophetic witnesses. The paper concludes with an exploration of how the parables might serve as invitations to turn from self-defined notions of kingdom and join Jesus in his movement.
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spelling doaj-art-75a731e7e10147d587cbaf1fbf7c96fb2025-08-20T02:01:09ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442024-11-011512142410.3390/rel15121424“So That They Might Turn”: The Possibility of Repentance in Jesus’ ParablesLeslie T. Hardin0Keeran School of Bible & Ministry, Kentucky Christian University, Grayson, KY 41143, USASince the publication of Julicher’s <i>Die Gleichnisreden Jesu</i>, parable research has largely focused on the legitimacy of allegory, classification of form, and matters of meaning and polyvalence. Still underdeveloped is an evaluation of the function of parables. This paper argues that one of the functions of Jesus’ parables was to invite hearers to turn from their previously defined notions of the kingdom of God and join him in his vision of the kingdom. The paper begins with an examination of the Markan Jesus’ citation of Isaiah 6:9–10 as a justification for speaking in parables and concludes that, while Israel was largely obdurate, the offer of repentance remained. Preaching repentance is one component of the work of a prophet, and an examination of Jesus’ vocation indicates that his parables function as prophetic witnesses. The paper concludes with an exploration of how the parables might serve as invitations to turn from self-defined notions of kingdom and join Jesus in his movement.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/15/12/1424parablesrepentancespiritualityJesusIsaiahgospels
spellingShingle Leslie T. Hardin
“So That They Might Turn”: The Possibility of Repentance in Jesus’ Parables
Religions
parables
repentance
spirituality
Jesus
Isaiah
gospels
title “So That They Might Turn”: The Possibility of Repentance in Jesus’ Parables
title_full “So That They Might Turn”: The Possibility of Repentance in Jesus’ Parables
title_fullStr “So That They Might Turn”: The Possibility of Repentance in Jesus’ Parables
title_full_unstemmed “So That They Might Turn”: The Possibility of Repentance in Jesus’ Parables
title_short “So That They Might Turn”: The Possibility of Repentance in Jesus’ Parables
title_sort so that they might turn the possibility of repentance in jesus parables
topic parables
repentance
spirituality
Jesus
Isaiah
gospels
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/15/12/1424
work_keys_str_mv AT lesliethardin sothattheymightturnthepossibilityofrepentanceinjesusparables