Sowing Discord: The Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1–9)

Abstract

This experiment in biblical interpretation works with the parable of the sower (Mark 4:1–9) as a parable from the historical Jesus spoken in a village setting in Galilee. This study explores the character of the parable as an example of Jesus' oral communication. As its oral nature comes to the fore so does the potential for the parable to reveal a “hidden transcript” of village resistance to Roman and Herodian rule. This theme of resistance is pursued by creating an imaginary conversation among peasants in a village in Galilee on the model of the discussion of Gospel texts by the peasants in Solentiname. This conversation will break open the parable in a manner much different from the earlier discussion of the parable and the questions it raises. The experiment in interpreting the parable in these different ways raises questions about the role between critical and creative approaches to biblical texts.