The People of the Parables

<p><strong>Drawing from Greco-Roman history Second-Temple Jewish studies archaeology the social world of the New Testament parable studies and the burgeoning literature on Galilee <em>The People of the Parables</em> describes life in first-century Galilee as it was experienced by the characters in Jesus' parables.</strong></p><p><br></p><p>R. Alan Culpepper assesses both primary literature and recent research on Galilee--including important archaeological discoveries--and fashions a new and insightful social history of Galilee the people of the parables and the historical context of Jesus' ministry.</p><p><br></p><p>Culpepper builds this history by elucidating the lives of first-century Galileans featured in Jesus' parables: children women daughters mothers widows fathers sons landowners tenants day laborers debtors farmers fishermen shepherds merchants travelers innkeepers masters slaves tax collectors judges Pharisees priests Levites Samaritans bandits and finally Jesus. Who these people were--their place in Galilean society how they lived socialized worshiped and conducted business; how they were educated--is described in straightforward nontechnical language. Culpepper brings new meanings to the parables for today's readers by shedding light on the people of Galilee in the time of Jesus.</p>