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The Parables of Jesus
William Barclay brings to these "best-known stories in the world" new force and significance for the modern reader. Each chapter analyzes an individual parable--identifies its theme, explains it in the light of the language and customs of the ancient world, and clearly interprets its meaning for us today.
The William Barclay Library is a collection of books addressing the great issues of the Christian faith. As one of the world's most widely read interpreters of the Bible and its meaning, William Barclay devoted his life to helping people become more faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.
The William Barclay Library is a collection of books addressing the great issues of the Christian faith. As one of the world's most widely read interpreters of the Bible and its meaning, William Barclay devoted his life to helping people become more faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.
222 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1999
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132 people want to read
About the author
William Barclay
594 books100 followersWIlliam Barclay was a Scottish author, radio and television presenter, Church of Scotland minister, and Professor of Divinity and Biblical Criticism at the University of Glasgow. He wrote a popular set of Bible commentaries on the New Testament that sold 1.5 million copies.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 17, 2023
This is an excellent book…with one essential caveat. (More on that below.)
Written by William Barclay, a Scottish author, renowned theologian, professor, and minister in the Church of Scotland, this book offers clear, concise, and readable explanations of all of Jesus's parables—more than 35 in all. It is just the book I have been looking for for years in my quest to better understand these short stories by Jesus, some of which can be really hard to comprehend.
For example, why was a man who was not wearing proper attire thrown out of the wedding feast with much weeping and gnashing of teeth resulting (Matthew 22:11-14)? That seems cruel and heartless! The explanation is brilliant and makes so much sense. And it's this way with all the parables. In Barclay's hands, even the easy-to-understand parables are given a new twist with ideas I hadn't before considered.
Parables were often used in Jewish instruction, so Jesus was using something the people were accustomed to hearing and filling it with new meaning and importance. This was also a way for Jesus to be sure his audience understood what he was saying. He told a story—an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.
Each chapter focuses on a single parable (although a few chapters include more than one if they are very similar), typically beginning with a fascinating explanation of the history surrounding it. For example, in the Parable of the 10 Virgins (Matthew 25: 1-13), we learn that it was custom in those days for the bridegroom to arrive at the wedding whenever he chose. So the fact that these bridesmaids were waiting on him for hours was exactly as it would have been. (Who knew?) Also, no one was allowed on the streets after dark without a lighted lamp, which is why it was so important for the five bridesmaids whose lamps went out to get more oil. But keep reading that chapter, and you'll find out the deeper meaning of Jesus's teaching, which makes so much more sense with the historical background.
Most important, Barclay's writing is masterful, and his understanding of the deeper meaning of the parables is exemplary. This is THE book to read on the parables, in my opinion.
One minor issue is that each chapter begins by listing only the Gospel name with the numerical verses in which the parable appears, but the parable itself is not quoted in the book. That would have been such a simple editorial change. It's best to read the parable first before launching into the explanation. Unfortunately, Barclay is inconsistent in summarizing the parable; in some chapters he does this well, while in others, he doesn't do it at all. I recommend reading this book with a Bible next to you or use your phone to quickly look up the parable, which is what I did.
Now, my big difficulty with the book: It is dated in a way that many may find highly offensive. It was originally published in 1952 under the title "And Jesus Said" and updated in 1970, eight years before Barclay's death. He was a man of his times. If you didn't know better when reading this book, you would think women didn't exist. He writes for his fellow man, and this is reflected throughout. Here is one of a many, many sentences that serves as an example: "The more knowledge a man has the more he is able to receive." Even more troublesome, he refers to women as girls and Blacks as Negros. Every Black man he quotes, such as Booker Washington, he describes as a Negro. Of course, he doesn't describe the White men he quotes as White. I adjusted to this archaic language and cut him a break because of when the book was written and the culture in which Barclay lived. One good thing: I realize how far we have come! The content of the book is so outstanding that it is worth the subtle, underlying misogyny and racism.
Written by William Barclay, a Scottish author, renowned theologian, professor, and minister in the Church of Scotland, this book offers clear, concise, and readable explanations of all of Jesus's parables—more than 35 in all. It is just the book I have been looking for for years in my quest to better understand these short stories by Jesus, some of which can be really hard to comprehend.
For example, why was a man who was not wearing proper attire thrown out of the wedding feast with much weeping and gnashing of teeth resulting (Matthew 22:11-14)? That seems cruel and heartless! The explanation is brilliant and makes so much sense. And it's this way with all the parables. In Barclay's hands, even the easy-to-understand parables are given a new twist with ideas I hadn't before considered.
Parables were often used in Jewish instruction, so Jesus was using something the people were accustomed to hearing and filling it with new meaning and importance. This was also a way for Jesus to be sure his audience understood what he was saying. He told a story—an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.
Each chapter focuses on a single parable (although a few chapters include more than one if they are very similar), typically beginning with a fascinating explanation of the history surrounding it. For example, in the Parable of the 10 Virgins (Matthew 25: 1-13), we learn that it was custom in those days for the bridegroom to arrive at the wedding whenever he chose. So the fact that these bridesmaids were waiting on him for hours was exactly as it would have been. (Who knew?) Also, no one was allowed on the streets after dark without a lighted lamp, which is why it was so important for the five bridesmaids whose lamps went out to get more oil. But keep reading that chapter, and you'll find out the deeper meaning of Jesus's teaching, which makes so much more sense with the historical background.
Most important, Barclay's writing is masterful, and his understanding of the deeper meaning of the parables is exemplary. This is THE book to read on the parables, in my opinion.
One minor issue is that each chapter begins by listing only the Gospel name with the numerical verses in which the parable appears, but the parable itself is not quoted in the book. That would have been such a simple editorial change. It's best to read the parable first before launching into the explanation. Unfortunately, Barclay is inconsistent in summarizing the parable; in some chapters he does this well, while in others, he doesn't do it at all. I recommend reading this book with a Bible next to you or use your phone to quickly look up the parable, which is what I did.
Now, my big difficulty with the book: It is dated in a way that many may find highly offensive. It was originally published in 1952 under the title "And Jesus Said" and updated in 1970, eight years before Barclay's death. He was a man of his times. If you didn't know better when reading this book, you would think women didn't exist. He writes for his fellow man, and this is reflected throughout. Here is one of a many, many sentences that serves as an example: "The more knowledge a man has the more he is able to receive." Even more troublesome, he refers to women as girls and Blacks as Negros. Every Black man he quotes, such as Booker Washington, he describes as a Negro. Of course, he doesn't describe the White men he quotes as White. I adjusted to this archaic language and cut him a break because of when the book was written and the culture in which Barclay lived. One good thing: I realize how far we have come! The content of the book is so outstanding that it is worth the subtle, underlying misogyny and racism.
January 21, 2021
These stories are familiar to most of us. This is what made Jesus such a great teacher. He taught through stories simplifying his teaching for the young and old throughout the ages. I found it a great advantage to be able to increase my knowledge of the gospel through the Parables of Jesus. The parables are interesting and give us the chance to see into the mind of Jesus. I recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about Jesus and His mission.
October 14, 2022
Starts with discussing why Jesus spoke in parables. An appropriate topic. Some answers were interesting (that Jews wanted concrete answers much more than Greeks, who loved to argue for arguments' sake). But he fails to mention the answer given in scripture, when the apostles ask Jesus why he speaks to the crowd in Parables (look it up in Matthew).
November 25, 2018
Read for personal research. I found this work of immense interest.
I found this book's contents helpful and inspiring - number rating relates to the book's contribution to my needs.
Overall, this work is also a good resource for the researcher and enthusiast.
I found this book's contents helpful and inspiring - number rating relates to the book's contribution to my needs.
Overall, this work is also a good resource for the researcher and enthusiast.
December 14, 2018
An interesting study of some of Jesus' key parables.
March 15, 2020
Excellent
William Barclay effectively narrates the often overlooked parables of new testament. This book is a gem and a must read for every single human being
William Barclay effectively narrates the often overlooked parables of new testament. This book is a gem and a must read for every single human being
May 6, 2023
Used this book with others to teach the parables. It is an excellent resource.
April 18, 2024
Another exceptional book
William Barclay's books have been my devotional material for several years now and I continue to be thoroughly fed and nurtured through them.
William Barclay's books have been my devotional material for several years now and I continue to be thoroughly fed and nurtured through them.
December 27, 2024
Professor Barclays explanations and insights into each of of the parables in the New Testament are helpful in achieving a clearer understanding of its meaning and relevance to us today.
December 31, 2019
June 2019: moved to "Behind the wall" shelf until class resumes in the fall
December 2019: finished class on the parables. Will move to "read" (although I didn't read all the chapters -- missed a few classes) and to "reference."
December 2019: finished class on the parables. Will move to "read" (although I didn't read all the chapters -- missed a few classes) and to "reference."
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews