Parables & Confrontations

Intro to the Gospel

Week 3

  • Luke 7:1-8:56

  • Matthew 13:24-16:28

We saw at the end of last week's reading the beginnings of confrontations between Jesus and the ruling elites. At his point in His ministry, Jesus is explaining the nature of God with metaphors and parables. There is an increasing amount of confrontation as religious leaders try to figure out what it is Jesus is doing.

People & Places

  • Mary Magdalene
    Likely from the town of Magdala, she became a follower of Jesus after having been healed by Him. She helped to fund and support the ministry of Jesus.

  • Herod the Tetrarch (Antipas)
    Ruling over the province of Galilee but under the Romans, he was the successor to Herod the Great who reigned during the birth of Jesus. Herod Antipas was succeeded by Herod Agrippa, who would rule during the events of the book of Acts.

  • Nazareth
    Now a city of about 75,000 people, in Jesus' time Nazareth was a village of between 500 – 1,000 people. It lies about 90 miles north of Jerusalem and 20 miles west of the Sea of Galilee.

  • Gerasenes
    About 30 miles east of Nazareth across the Jordan river, the remnant of this town is now an archaeological site called Kursi.

  • Nain
    This village is just south of Nazareth and remains small to this day with a population of less than two thousand.

Sea of Galilee

What to Look For

Luke 7:1-8:56

  • Jesus heals a Roman's servant

  • Parables of the debtors, the sower, and the lamp

  • Confrontation with demons and further healing

Matthew 13:24-16:28

  • Jesus teaches and explains parables

  • Parables of the weeds, the mustard seed, the hidden treasure

  • Death of John the Baptist

  • Jesus feeds five thousand and walks on water

  • Pharisees challenge to Jesus