02 Questions

The Parables of Jesus
Lesson Two:

The Question about Fasting

Last revised: 7/18/00

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1. What is the historical setting of this episode in the life of Jesus? Use Chronological Listing of Life of Christ for general identification. Do the Synoptic Gospels place this episode in the same setting? If not, identify each setting. Use outlines of Matthew, Mark, and Luke to identify each, along with historical setting identifications within each text. Use diagrams for the latter.

2. What is the literary setting of this episode in each of the Synoptic Gospel accounts? Use outlines of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

Mark:

Matthew:

Luke:

3. Identify the statements in the block diagrams which contain the following parables.
Parable: Mark: Matthew: Luke:

Wedding Guests:

Garment Patch:

Wineskins:

New Wine:

4. Identify the historical background of each parable in the daily life of first century Palestine. Also identify any possible background use of an identical or similar parabolic metaphor in Jewish life both within and outside of the Old Testament.

Wedding Guests:

Garment Patch:

Wineskins:

New Wine:

5. Identify the tertium comparitionis of each parable.

Wedding Guests:

Mark:

Matthew:

Luke:

Garment Patch:

Mark:

Matthew:

Luke:

Wineskins:

Mark:

Matthew:

Luke:

New Wine:

Luke:

6. Identify the possible Sitz im Leben Kirche for each Synoptic Gospel account, by carefully analyzing the similarities and differences of each Gospel account. Use the block and semantic diagrams and analysis.

Wedding Guests:

Mark:

Matthew:

Luke:

Garment Patch:

Mark:

Matthew:

Luke:

Wineskins:

Mark:

Matthew:

Luke:

New Wine:

Luke:

7. Identify which of the three types of parables each one best fits.

Wedding Guests:

Garment Patch:

Wineskins:

New Wine:

8. Identify which grouping of the parables each one best fits.

Wedding Guests:

Garment Patch:

Wineskins:

New Wine:

9. What insights does each parable provide concerning the Kingdom of God?

Wedding Guests:

Garment Patch:

Wineskins:

New Wine:

10. How do these texts contribute to the overall understanding of the question of fasting? Compare these Synoptic Gospel accounts with the following texts on the subject of fasting:

Matthew 6:16-18
NRSV: 6:16"And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6:17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 6:18 so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.F50
FOOTNOTES:
F50: Other ancient authorities add [openly]

Luke 4:1-2
NRSV: 4:1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 4:2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished.

Luke 18:12
NRSV: 18:12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.

Acts 9:9
NRSV: 9:9 For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Acts 13:2-3
NRSV: 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 13:3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Acts 14:23
NRSV: 14:23 And after they had appointed elders for them in each church, with prayer and fasting they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had come to believe.

SUMMARY:

11. Suggest some possible preaching and teaching needs addressed by these parables.

Wedding Guests:

Garment Patch:

Wineskins:

New Wine: