the role of the lukan parables in terms of the purpose of luke's gospel

links between the parables and their contexts in six connecting devices: That is, verbal
contacts, themes, persons, settings, values, and connecting phrases. 26 With respect to the
question of how parables function with context, he contends that the parables should be
examined in three aspects, such as plot, character and the function of smaller units in the
larger narrative. As with the views of Robert C. Tannehill, 27 Noel views the plot of Luke as a
tragic story that the Messiah comes to Israel, but Israel rejects him. He also maintains that
four characters composed of groups and individuals, namely, Jesus, the Pharisees, the
disciples and the crowd, provide some basis for the study of the parables. 28 On the above
bases, Noel analyses and evaluates three parables in Luke, namely, the parables of the Sower,
the Wedding Guest and the Vineyard. Finally, he concludes that the literary and thematic
unity of Luke compel us to read the parables as an integral part of that narrative. 29
Favouring
the unity of Luke’s text, Noel’s narrative-critical approach to parables in Luke opens the
possibility of examining the function and role of the Lukan parables in the Gospel of Luke,
though Noel himself does not pursue that.
John R. Donahue, first of all, carefully considers three situations concerning the parables:
Such as, ‘the parable as text’, ‘the parable as narrative’, and ‘the parable as context’,
investigating how a parable means. In ‘the parable as text’, he takes the comprehensive stance
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regarding the scope of parable, following C.H. Dodd’s definition of the parables . Although
metaphor is suitable to express two necessary qualities of religious experience, such as
immediacy and transcendence, he warns the readers with three cautions: Firstly, “it is not
totally accurate to equate the parables of Jesus with metaphor.” Secondly, “there has been an
escalation of theological language about parable and metaphor.” Lastly, “in comparison with
the literary genres of antiquity, the parables are very close to proverbs and maxims.” 31
Donahue, in ‘the parable as narrative’, emphasizes narrative analysis of the parables
particularly in plot and character apart from meaning and point of view, which emerge easily
in the study of individual parables. 32
It is the most important aspect to him to consider an
26. Noel, ‘Parables in Context: Developing a Narrative-Critical Approach to Parables in Luke,’ 77-83.
27. Robert C. Tannehill, “Israel in Luke-Acts: A Tragic Story”, JBL 104 (1985), 69-85.
28. Noel, ‘Parables in Context: Developing a Narrative-Critical Approach to Parables in Luke,’ 100-118.
29. Ibid., 192.
30. C.H. Dodd’s definition of the parables is as follows: “At its simplest the parable is a metaphor or simile
drawn from nature or common life, arresting the hearer by its vividness or strangeness, and leaving the mind in
sufficient doubt about its precise application to tease it into active thought.” C.H. Dodd, The Parables of the
Kingdom (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1961).
31. Donahue, The Gospel in Parable, 10-11.
32. Ibid., 21-25.
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