Jesus’ Pedagogical Method

Earring from Bethsaida

Temple Warning Sign The inscription translates as follows: "No foreigner is to enter within the balustrade and embankment around the sanctuary. Whoever is caught will have himself to blame for his death which follows." Both Greek (above) and Latin versions of this warning were posted at regular intervals around the soreg (balustrade).

Organization of Jesus’ Teaching on the Kingdom of God The Kingdom of God in the Synoptic Gospels in a Non-Rejection Context The Kingdom of God as Present The Kingdom of God as Future The Kingdom of God in the Synoptic Gospels in a Rejection Context

Jesus as Teacher and Pedagogical Method The Kingdom of God in a Non-Rejection Context

The Idea of the Davidic Messiah as Teacher Isa 11:2 The Spirit of the Yahweh will rest on him—the spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the spirit of counsel and of power, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Yahweh—3 and he will delight in the fear of the Yahweh. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears. 1 Enoch 49:3 And in him dwells the spirit of wisdom, and the spirit which gives insight, And the spirit of understanding and of might, and the spirit of those who have fallen asleep in righteousness. Ps. Sol. 17:37 And he will not weaken in his days, (relying) upon his God, for God made him powerful in the Holy Spirit and wise in the counsel of understanding, with strength and righteousness Ps. Sol. 17:43 His words will be purer than the finest gold, the best. He will judge the people in the assemblies, the tribes of the sanctified. His words will be as the words of the holy ones, among the sanctified people. How did Jews understand the nature of the Davidic Messiah based on the prophecy in Isa 11:2?

General References to Jesus as Teaching in the Synoptic Gospels Mark 1:21: They went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and began to teach. Mark 6:34 When Jesus went ashore, he saw a large crowd, and he felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. Luke 19:47: And he was teaching daily in the Temple; but the chief priests and the scribes and the leading men among the people were trying to destroy him. Luke 5:1 Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around him and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret; 2 and he saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets. 3 And he got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And he sat down and began teaching the people from the boat. Matt 7:28: When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

Jesus’ Pedagogical Method Mark 4:10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11 He told them, "The mystery of the Kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12 that, "'They see indeed but never perceive, and they hear indeed but do not understand, lest they return and be forgiven.' [Isa 6:9- 10]"

Jesus’ Pedagogical Method Mark 4:12 Because they see indeed but do not perceive and they hear indeed but do not understand lest they return and it be forgiven them. Isa 6:9-10 9a And he said, "Go, and tell this people: 9c 'See indeed, but do not perceive.' 9b Hear indeed, but do not understand'; 10a Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; 10b lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and return and be healed." How does Jesus use Isa 6:9-10 in order to express his pedagogical method?

Jesus’ Pedagogical Method Surely your God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, since you have been able to reveal this mystery. (Dan 2:47) Through me you have enlightened the face of the many and you have shown your power without limit, because you have made known to me your wonderful mysteries and through your marvelous counsel you have strengthened my standing. (1QH-a ) You have made me know your wonderful mysteries; And you have instructed them in your wonderful mysteries. (1QH-a ) In 4QInstruction the teaching concerning eschatological judgment and how one ought to live in light of this ultimate fact is described idiomatically "the mystery of what is to come" (4Q416 frg. 2, , 14-15, 18, 20-21; 4Q417 frg. 1, ; frg. 2, 1.6, 8-9, 18-21). How is the term mystery used in these passages?

Jesus’ Pedagogical Method Mark 4:33 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything. What was Jesus’ typical method of teaching?

Jesus’ Pedagogical Method Exoteric Teaching = Parabolic Teaching Esoteric Teaching = Explanation of Parabolic Teaching = Mystery of the Kingdom of God

Jesus’ Pedagogical Method Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. (Matt 7:6) What is the metaphor that Jesus uses to express his pedagogical method?