Apply the principles you have learned in class so far in interpret the “Parable of the Talents” found in Mathew 25 ( you need to begin where it begins and end). Be sure to specifically apply the five steps for interpreting any passage. Type your answer on your paper. You are only to use the Bible dictionary to do the exercise besides the New Bible Dictionary, which you purchase in class. We also require you to use The Anchor Bible Dictionary a copy which you any find in the reference section of the Library. Further, you are base your interpretation of the passage on the NRSV translation, the official Hermeneutic ?Bible. We suggest that you devote a section of your essay to each of the 5 interpretive steps and Label them Accordingly. That is, your essay would have five sections for each step. (80 PTS)

NOTE: you must also have read the assigned readings in the New Bible
Dictionary

(New Testament Unit). Passage Interpretation Items For a

parable employ the following portions of the basic steps of interpretation.
Step One: Historical/Cultural Analysis:
1.Provide the historical setting of the passage.
2.Provide historical and cultural background for any features in the
passage that are worthy of comment.

Step Two: Structural Analysis:
1.Provide an outline of the biblical book in which the passage is found.
2.Provide a detailed outline of the passage.
3.Determine where the passage begins and ends and provide reasons for
this determination.
Step Three: Keyword Analysis:
1.Provide a table of the counts for repeated and significant words and
phrases.
2. Reflect on what these words and phrases reveal about the theme.
3.Perform word studies on the most important words (based either on
frequency of repetition or theological freight).
Step Four: Genre Analysis:
1.Identify and label the parable according to the basic model employed
(e.g., triadic, dyadic, monadic)

2.Identify the major characters of the parable and the main point connected
to each character.
3. Identify shocking or unexpected elements in the parable and describe
how they contribute to the meaning of the parable.
4. Identify how the context of the parable helps to shape the meaning of the
parable.
5. Compare the parable to parallels in other gospels in order to determine
how the parable contributes to the gospel writer?s emphases.
Step Five: Theological Analysis:
What does this text say about God and being his people?
NOTE: When citing material from a Bible dictionary, please indicate the
source with a parenthetical reference that contains: the dictionary?s
abbreviation; the title of the article; and the volume & page number. For
example, a citation from the article ?Sacrifice? in the
Anchor Bible
Dictionary, volume 5, page 871, would read:
(ABD,Sacrifice, 5:871).