Unjust Judge and Widow

What does Jesus try to address in the original parable? Why does Luke emphasize prayer? What kind of justice is discussed in this parable? This parable of Jesus is not about prayer but about justice.

Rich Man and Lazarus

Do we see in this parable the limitations of Lukan charity-based ethics? In fact, this parable does not ask the question of how the man became rich. The only thing expected from him is a bit of charity that may help the poor man. However, this parable challenges the view of maximalist freedom: “I can do whatever I want because all I have is mine.”

Unjust Steward

What is wrong with the manager? Did he lend the master’s money with unusually high-interest rate to his customers? If so, he was unjust. He harmed the master’s reputation and expropriated his customers. Why did the manager decide to cut back the amount of debt for the master’s customers? Because his master knew … so, he may lose his job. … so, to get his living among them … Why did his master commend the manager? (His reputation; his business). In the end, there are all winners: the master’s reputation is restored; he could get his business going as usual; the manager does not lose his job; the customers have a better rate.

Father and Two Sons (Luke 15)

"Father and Two Sons" in Luke 15 is one of the three ”lost” parables in Luke: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. Is this an allegorical story or just a family story with two parts, the younger son and the older son? The main theme is the father’s compassion. We need to analyze characters: the father's behavior as not very adamant about his sons and his unconditional acceptance of his son; the older son/brother as a diligent son; a prosecutor-role; the younger one as immature and selfish; not truly repenting, but returning home to survive. Reconciliation will happen eventually? What are the conditions for it?

Rich Farmer (Rich Fool)

This parable is known as Rich Fool, found only in Luke. One’s riches are not made by oneself. One must thank God, the laborers, the community, the sun, and the wind. Rather than building more warehouses, one must share one’s abundance with the community. Storing only for oneself while others are starving is evil. Life is short.

Good Samaritan

What do you say about the traditional allegorical reading of this parable of the Good Samaritan? What is wrong with a priest and a Levite? Describe a Samaritan’s detailed care of the robbed man? Any thoughts about the new definition of a neighbor?

Ten Bridesmaids

The source of this parable of ten bridesmaids is uncertain; found only in Matthew. The kingdom of God is compared with ten bridesmaids’ preparedness for meeting the bridegroom. Strong allegorical elements in this parable reflect Matthew’s theology and eschatology. How to understand the five wise women’s behavior toward the other five?

Great Banquet

Some think that this parable of a banquet in Matthew and Luke is not an authentic parable of Jesus. If Jesus told this parable, the point may be a countercultural banquet that powerless people are brought to the party eventually. This parable is shocking to Jesus’s audience because, given the ancient meal culture, no one can easily reject the host's invitation. More unusual is the host’s decision to bring in the poor, the lame, and the blind to this party. Does this parable challenge the usual meal culture in Jesus’s time? How is the reign of God related to the host in this parable?

Two Sons (Matt 21:28-31)

The parable of the two sons in Matthew 21 deals with "true faith" that requires "action" or "practice." The father has a vineyard that needs workers. The first son says first, no, but later he changed his mind and went to work. He is not perfect but did the will of the father. The second son: first, yes, but he never went to work. He did not obey his father. Word only does not help. The perfect son will be the one who says “yes” and goes to work immediately. Jesus points out the problem of hypocrites, who don’t do what they know or teach (Matt 23:3).

Unmerciful Servant

Jesus tells the parable of the unmerciful servant because of Peter’s question: "How many times should one forgive?" Jesus answers: “Seventy times seven.” 

Discuss the king’s act of forgiving a huge debt (10,000 talents) at once. However, his forgiveness did not work out well because his slave did not forgive his fellow slave, who owed him only 100 denarii, a peanut amount. Could the king deal with his slave differently from the beginning? Obviously, the problem does not lie in the king but in his slave, who did not forgive his fellow slave.

Think about the notion of “too easy or too fast forgiveness” in our life situation. Does it work?

Evaluate the claim that members in the community must forgive one another endlessly. How can this thing happen decently? What is the sufficient condition to make this possible?