Jacob & the Prodigal: How Jesus Retold Israel's Story
"Ken Bailey'sJacob and the Prodigal,a monumental work, will set the stage for all subsequent New Testament scholars working on the 'so-called' parable of the Prodigal Son." (Review of Biblical Literature)"Jacob and the Prodigalis excellently written, very readable, filled with a spirit of reverence for the great subject it talks about and replete with the scholarly nuggets of the Near-Eastern expert that nobody else can provide at this time. The novelty of the New Testament as well as its continuity with the old covenant is wonderfully worked out while offering us a captivating reading of theEvangelium in Evangelio.A book with many refreshing discoveries." (Ulrich W. Mauser, Professor Emeritus, Princeton Theological Seminary)" 'There cannot be anything new left to be said about the parable of the prodigal son.' Really? Not when Kenneth Bailey sets to work with his phenomenal knowledge of Scripture and Jewish writings, the Middle-Eastern scene and early Arabic commentators on the New Testament! The result is a highly readable, exciting and stimulating new reading of the stories in Luke 15 in tandem with the story of Jacob. Preachers on these stories will never be able to expound them again in the way that they used to do but will find treasures new in them thanks to this insightful treatment. The gospel stands out all the more clearly as a result of Bailey's interpretation." (I. Howard Marshall, Honorary Research Professor of the New Testament, University of Aberdeen)"Kenneth Bailey'sJacob and the Prodigaloffers a fascinating study in biblical intertextuality that opens up new and exciting possibilities in the interpretation of one of Jesus' best-known parables, that of the prodigal son. The importance of Bailey's exegesis is not limited to this one parable but has significance for our understanding of the whole of Jesus' theology." (Craig A. Evans, Payzant Professor of New Testament, Acadia Divinity College, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada)"Bailey's knowledge of the scholarly literature is matched by his intimate understanding of ancient texts and cultures, and these together bring interpretative insights unavailable from any other writer. Here Bailey outlines how Jesus taught in his culture and day. He then focuses his energies on a brilliant and persuasive treatment of Luke 15 and shows how the 'Jacob Saga' of Genesis informed the dramatic framework of Jesus' most famous parable. Bailey is one of the 'great teachers' and through this volume we can listen to the wealth of his life of research." (Gary M. Burge, Ph.D., Professor of New Testament, Wheaton College and Graduate School)"Kenneth Bailey has become the premier commentator in our generation on the cultural world behind Jesus' parables. And of all the parables, Bailey keeps returning to the prodigal son more than any other one. Here, in one very insight-filled yet readable layperson's book, is a more accessible form of much of his previous commentary on Luke 15, plus more--fascinating parallels with Genesis and the accounts of Jacob and Esau. Bailey is undoubtedly right that there is more of the full-orbed gospel of redemption in this parable than first meets the eye." (Craig L. Blomberg, Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Denver Seminary, Denver, Colorado)