The contributors to this book pursue three important lines of inquiry into parable study, in order to illustrate how these lessons have been received throughout the millennia. The contributors consider not only the historical and material world of the parables' composition, and focusing on the social, political, economic, and material reality of that world, but also seek to connect how the parables may have been seen and heard in ancient contexts with how they have been, and continue to be, seen and heard.
Intentionally allowing for a "bounded openness" of approach and interpretation, these essays explore numerous contexts, encounters and responses. Examining topics ranging from ancient harvest imagery and dependency relations to contemporary experience with the narratives and lessons of the parables, this volume seeks to link those very real ancient contexts with our own varied modern contexts.

Thomas E. Goud is Associate Professor of Classical and Early Christian Studies at the University of New Brunswick in Saint John, Canada, and co-chair of the Synoptic Gospels section of the international meeting of Society of Biblical Literature.

J. Robert C. Cousland is Associate Professor of Early Christianity and Greek Religion & Mythology at the University of British Columbia, Canada, and former co-chair of the Synoptic Gospels section of the international meeting of Society of Biblical Literature.

John Harrison is Professor of New Testament and Ministry at Oklahoma Christian University, USA, and co-chair of the Synoptic Gospels section of the international meeting of Society of Biblical Literature.