This being said, however, it must be acknowledged that there is considerable controversy over the structure, the theology, and the very purpose of the parables themselves. For example, some theologians argue that differences between the parables in the various Gospels reflect differences in the theological approach of the evangelists. Other theologians argue that parables were intended by Jesus to fascinate "outsiders", while being unnecessary to those with an intimate relationship with Him and His Word.

This paper will examine the tradition and interpretative of the parables. It will be argued that minor textual differences exist between parables in different gospels but all reflect the singular theology and ministry of Jesus.

Moreover, the interpretation of the purpose of the parables as differentiating between an "in" and an "outsider" group will be shown

to be based on a misreading of a Gospel passage. Finally, it will be demonstrated that the significance of the parables for modern Christians lies in their power to translate complex theological issues into everyday terminology and, in the process, allow us to establish an intimate awareness of the presence of Jesus in our lives.

The impact of this argument is significant for it appears to challenge the authorship of Jesus with regard to the most commonly known manifestation of His "voice". This interpretation of the theology of the parables has implications for all the evangelists, but "has particularly affected the assessment of a number of the parables peculiar to Luke, especially those which so marvellously encapsulate Luke's theology of grace (e.g., the prodigal son or the Pharisee and tax-collector)."

It is a sign of the unified theology of the Gospel parables that Mark's version of the "Mustard Seed" (Mark 4:230-32) differs from Matthew's only in minor degrees. Indeed, Mark's representation of the seed being scattered suggests that mankind has the free will to accept or reject Jesus' ministry. Although the sower (Christ) has cast the seed of His Word upon the ground, it is in the power of individual Christians to accept or reject this seed for, as Mark notes, the "ground produces a crop by itself" that is beyond the control of the sower (Mark 4:28). When interpreted in this light, the theological message of this parable is consistent with that of the Gospels as a whole. Although God does His best to plant the seeds of His grace in us, the question as to whether they will take root and grow lies entirely within our power.

In this analysis, while each evangelist would logically have particular aspects of Christ's ministry that he desired to emphasize, this does not detract from the theological unity of the parables or of the Gospels as a whole:

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2687
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page double spaced)