Yet four parables have a demonstrable origin in his teaching.'-Adela Yarbro Collins, Yale University Meier shows that the parables can no longer be seen as the bedrock for reconstructing the historical Jesus. 'This book is a breath of fresh air-refreshingly forthright about what can and cannot be said about the parables attributed to Jesus. Freely conceding that in many cases utter certainty will escape us, Meier shows us which parables are most likely from the lips of Jesus and why.'-Gary A. Yet, with his characteristic wisdom and wit, John Meier guides us through the many parables that are attached to Jesus' name. 'The subject of the parables is one of the more daunting areas of historical Jesus research. He is the very model of a sober and learned contrarian!'-Simon Gathercole, University of Cambridge His remarkable erudition both in the primary sources and in the extensive secondary literature is palpable throughout. 'John Meier's refusal to belong to a particular 'school' of Gospels research is clearly evident in this latest volume in the Marginal Jew series. Blomberg, Journal of Evangelical Theological Society “Meier’s endeavor is clearly the biggest scholarly undertaking in the quest of the historical Jesus by any single individual since its inception in the late eighteenth century.”-Craig L. is a splendid achievement that advances discussion of the historical Jesus, and of the scholarly approaches by which this discussion can take place.”-Amy-Jill Levine, Interpretation

John p meier a marginal jew