Exegetical Worksheet
Exegesis for a Parable (Luke 18:9-14)
• Reading & Preliminary Exegetical Statement. Read the parable several times until you are quite familiar with it. Prior to completing any of the following exegetical steps, write a preliminary exegetical statement that reflects what you think the parable means.
Preliminary Statement: I think that this parable means that there are two types of righteousness. One that can be "work righteousness" and the other "gift righteousness." We see this through the tax collector and the Pharisee. The Pharisee thinks that it's his works and religious practices that make him righteous. But the tax collector, whose a sinner, is given the gift of righteousness from Jesus. We think we can work for righteousness but it's really a gift from God because He is the only one that is righteous.
• Literary Context. Discuss the micro-context (i.e., what occurs directly before and after the parable—how does it impact the interpretation of the parable) and the macro-context (i.e., how does the parable fit within the overall literary context of the book—how does it impact the interpretation of the parable).
Micro-Context:
Macro-Context:
The parable fits in with the overall book because we get a better perspective of the type of man that Jesus is. We learn more about His character, and the things that will allow us to enter God's kingdom.
• Lexical Considerations. Identify and discuss key terms in the parable (consult a critical commentary for help). Look for theologically loaded words (e.g., save, righteousness, bless, etc.), repeated terms, etc. -Righteous ~ Righteousness is the key element/theme within this passage. One man, the Pharisee, pursues righteousness through his "works" while the other pursues righteousness as a gift. - "I" ~ The five I's in this passage reveal the egocentricity of the Pharisee. Rather than thanking God for what God has done for him, the Pharisee brags about his own moral purity and
• Reading & Preliminary Exegetical Statement. Read the parable several times until you are quite familiar with it. Prior to completing any of the following exegetical steps, write a preliminary exegetical statement that reflects what you think the parable means.
Preliminary Statement: I think that this parable means that there are two types of righteousness. One that can be "work righteousness" and the other "gift righteousness." We see this through the tax collector and the Pharisee. The Pharisee thinks that it's his works and religious practices that make him righteous. But the tax collector, whose a sinner, is given the gift of righteousness from Jesus. We think we can work for righteousness but it's really a gift from God because He is the only one that is righteous.
• Literary Context. Discuss the micro-context (i.e., what occurs directly before and after the parable—how does it impact the interpretation of the parable) and the macro-context (i.e., how does the parable fit within the overall literary context of the book—how does it impact the interpretation of the parable).
Micro-Context:
Macro-Context:
The parable fits in with the overall book because we get a better perspective of the type of man that Jesus is. We learn more about His character, and the things that will allow us to enter God's kingdom.
• Lexical Considerations. Identify and discuss key terms in the parable (consult a critical commentary for help). Look for theologically loaded words (e.g., save, righteousness, bless, etc.), repeated terms, etc. -Righteous ~ Righteousness is the key element/theme within this passage. One man, the Pharisee, pursues righteousness through his "works" while the other pursues righteousness as a gift. - "I" ~ The five I's in this passage reveal the egocentricity of the Pharisee. Rather than thanking God for what God has done for him, the Pharisee brags about his own moral purity and