The subject of this paper could include an enormous variety of aspects. The one that probably comes to mind first is the mutual responsibility of a master and his disciples to one another. For example, what kind of promise is implied in Jesus's assurance to those he calls that he will make of them fishers of men? Or what degree of obedience or of support do those who accept the call owe him? On this phase of the subject, however, a good deal has been written, though perhaps not much that is truly satisfactory. I shall go into a question which seems to have been totally neglected: namely, what is the responsibility of a master and his disciples in the outside world for one another's conduct? More precisely, how far is Jesus held accountable by the outside world for the conduct of his followers, and how far are the latter held accountable for his conduct?

The section of gospel material often called ‘the parable chapter’ is handled very differently by the three synoptic evangelists (Mark iv. 1–34; Matt. xiii. 1–52; Luke viii. 4–18); an immediate and fundamental variation is apparent simply by counting the number of parables in each: Mark has three, Luke only one, Matthew as many as seven. This article on the Matthean version of the parable chapter begins by concentrating on its seven parables, for they belong together and their relationships promise to throw light on a number of problems.

Die traditionsgeschichtliche Betrachtungsweise hat entscheidend dazu beigetragen, jenen großen theologischen Verstehensprozeß aufzuhellen, in dessen Verlauf die älteste Christenheit das Sterben Jesu als heilsmächtiges Geschehen zu deuten gelernt hat. Sie vermochte nämlich zu zeigen, daßsich innerhalb der älteren Schichten des Neuen Testamentes verschiedene Ansätze zu einer Interpretation des Kreuzes finden, die ihren Sitz in verschiedenen Traditionskreisen haben und erst relativ spät miteinander verbunden worden sind.