How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth

The points of reference are only those parts of the story that draw the hearer into it, parts with which one is to identify in some way as the story proceeds. The point of the story is to be found in the intended response.

the context Jesus has been invited to dinner by a Pharisee named Simon. But the invitation was not to be considered as being “in honor of a visiting famous rabbi.” The failure to offer Jesus even the common hospitality of the day was surely intended as something of a put-down.

knowledge of the points of reference, which in turn caused them to recognize the unexpected turn in the story.

the hearers had an immediate identification with the points of reference that caused them to catch the point — or be caught by it.

call for response”

the story parables function as a striking way of calling forth a response on the part of the hearer. In a sense, the parable itself is the message. It is told to address and capture the

hearers, to bring them up short about their own actions, or to cause them to respond in some way to Jesus and his ministry.