Abstract

Developments and turning points in the interpretation of the parables of Jesus.Research into and interpretation of the parables of Jesus have in recent years attracted a tremendous amount of attention. In this article a survey is presented of the developments and the most important turning-points in the history of the interpretation of Jesus’ parables through all the ages of Christianity. A picture is drawn of the different stages of parable interpretation, starting with the allegorical method of interpretation, through the historical, the moralistic, the eschatological and existential approach and up to the literary and pragmatic approaches of the last decade or so. Most attention has been given to the most recent developments, including some outstanding work amongst South African New Testament scholars.