Jacob & the Prodigal: How Jesus Retold Israel's Story [Paperback]

Kenneth E. Bailey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 24, 2003

Israel, the community to which Jesus belonged, took its name from their patriarch Jacob. His story of exile and return was their story as well. In the well-known tale of the prodigal son, Jesus reshaped the story in his own way and for his own purposes. In this work, Kenneth E. Bailey compares the Old Testament saga and the New Testament parable. He unpacks similarities freighted with theological significance and differences that often reveal Jesus' particular purposes. Drawing on a lifetime of study in both Middle Eastern culture and the Gospels, Bailey offers here a fresh view of how Jesus interpreted Israel's past, his present and their future.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Ken Bailey's Jacob 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 Prodigal is 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 the Evangelium 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's Jacob and the Prodigal offers 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 )

Product Details

• Paperback: 225 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic (April 24, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830827277
• ISBN-13: 978-0830827275
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #254,911 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kenneth E. Bailey is an author and lecturer in Middle Eastern New Testament studies. An ordained Presbyterian minister, he also serves as Canon Theologian of the Diocese of Pittsburgh of the Episcopal Church, USA. He holds graduate degrees in Arabic language and literature, and in systematic theology; his Th.D. is in New Testament. He spent forty years living and teaching New Testament in Egypt, Lebanon, Jerusalem and Cyprus, still holding the title of research professor (emeritus) of Middle Eastern New Testament studies at the Ecumenical Institute (Tantur), Jerusalem. Bailey has written many books in English and in Arabic, including The Cross and the Prodigal, Poet & Peasant, Through Peasant Eyes, Jacob & the Prodigal and Finding the Lost: Cultural Keys to Luke 15. He has also published many articles in The Princeton Seminary Bulletin, The Presbyterian Outlook, Asia Journal of Theology, Christianity Today, Expository Studies, Irish Biblical Studies, Novem Momentum, Theology Review and Temelios.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Theologians Only Need Apply, January 9, 2007

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Michael King "Prophetic Poet" (El Cajon, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Jacob & the Prodigal: How Jesus Retold Israel's Story (Paperback)

Kenneth Bailey, one of my pastor's professors from seminary, is a real expert on the cultures of the Middle East and both their impact on the way the Judaeo-Christian Scriptures were written and how they should be interpreted by Western Bible students today. I purchased this volume out of curiosity after reading another of Dr. Bailey's books (which I've also reviewed here). I was not disappointed, however I will warn all readers: his books are not for the light reader! This is HEAVY material! Very scholarly stuff, replete with citations and endnotes ad nauseam! If you are a SERIOUS student of the Bible and you want to delve deeply into the exegetical mysteries of the texts, you'll love Dr. Bailey's books. If not, you'll probably find them insufferably dry and so exhaustively detailed as to suffocate your interest in the subject matter.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible!, December 16, 2007

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Riesling Rev - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Jacob & the Prodigal: How Jesus Retold Israel's Story (Paperback)

This book is stunning, and for multiple reasons. I've known Ken for much of my life, and I never cease to be mesmerized by his teaching. His insights into the parables are unparalleled. I came away from this book awed by the brilliance Jesus displayed in his story telling. I also came away with a renewed appreciation for God's grace revealed in Christ. I can't recommend this book enough, along with Ken's other work. His 30 minute videos are also incredible.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Drink deeply from Luke 15, December 31, 2005

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Paul H. Vanderklay "paulvk" (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Jacob & the Prodigal: How Jesus Retold Israel's Story (Paperback)

There are portions of the Bible that are shockingly powerful and clear. One such portion is Luke 15 with the Parable of the Lost Sheep/Lost Coin/Lost Son. Bailey is as fine a commentator on this subject as you may find seeing how through this parable Jesus is retelling Israel's story and our own. Simply terrific (as are Bailey's other works!).