---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When we imagine Jesus’ teaching in his…"
description: "\"“When we imagine Jesus’ teaching in his own time and place, W ca we cannot use profiles of teachers from our own world to understand the nature of his ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c6/gary-m-burge-48311_education_when-we-imagine-jesus-teaching-in-his-ow_83403.jpg"
---

#  When we imagine Jesus’ teaching in his own time and place…

![“When we imagine Jesus’ teaching in his own time and place, W ca we cannot use profiles of teachers from our own world to understand the nature of his work. Our culture is heir to the Greek tradition, where abstract reasoning and verbal prowess are the measure of the teacher. Jesus’ world was…” quote by Gary M. Burge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c6/gary-m-burge-48311_education_when-we-imagine-jesus-teaching-in-his-ow_83403.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c6/gary-m-burge-48311_education_when-we-imagine-jesus-teaching-in-his-ow_83403.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c6/gary-m-burge-48311_education_when-we-imagine-jesus-teaching-in-his-ow_83403.jpg)

> ““When we imagine Jesus’ teaching in his own time and place, W ca we cannot use profiles of teachers from our own world to understand the nature of his work. Our culture is heir to the Greek tradition, where abstract reasoning and verbal prowess are the measure of the teacher. Jesus’ world was different. He communicated through word pictures, dramatic actions, metaphors, and stories. Rather than lecture about religious corruption, Jesus refers to the Pharisees as “whitewashed tombs.” Rather than outline the failings of the temple, he curses a fig tree. This means that we should think of Jesus as a “metaphorical theologian” for whom drama, humor, and storytelling were all a part of his method.””

[Gary M. Burge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-m-burge/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Jesus taught using vivid, concrete imagery and actions rather than abstract argument, reflecting his cultural context.

**In simple terms:** Teaching via stories and drama

Key Takeaway

Context shapes method

Themes

Cultural context Pedagogy Metaphor Narrative Humor

Mood

Reflective Inquisitive

Type

Interpretive Historical

When to use this quote

- Biblical studies
- Sermon preparation
- Interfaith dialogue
- Theology courses
- Cultural analysis

Key Concepts

Historical setting Communication style Interpretation

Practical Applications

- Designing curricula that use parables
- Analyzing ancient teaching methods

Questions to Reflect On

- How does cultural context affect teaching methods?
- What modern parallels exist for metaphorical instruction?

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/)

## Related quotes

> [We might imagine that Jesus had many human faults. He failed most humanly, in my reckoning, when he killed the fig tree just because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-leunig/we-might-imagine-that-jesus-had-many-human-faults-he-failed-most/)

[Michael Leunig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-leunig/)

> [My beliefs are that the truth is a truth until you organize it, and then it becomes a lie. I don't think that Jesus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/my-beliefs-are-that-the-truth-is-a-truth-until-you-organize-it-and/)

[Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/)

> [He becomes your Teacher. Jesus said when the Spirit of truth comes, He shall teach you all things. He didn't say 'some things,' but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-oyakhilome/he-becomes-your-teacher-jesus-said-when-the-spirit-of-truth-comes-he/)

[Chris Oyakhilome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-oyakhilome/)

> [“Rabbi, the great Teacher, Jesus Christ.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laiah-gifty-akita/rabbi-the-great-teacher-jesus-christ/)

[Laiah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laiah-gifty-akita/)

> [“To others, Jesus was a miracle worker. To others, Jesus was a master teacher. To others, Jesus was the hope of Israel. But to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/to-others-jesus-was-a-miracle-worker-to-others-jesus-was-a-master/)

[Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/)

> [There is a school in Heaven, and there one has only to learn how to love. The school is in the Cenacle; the Teacher…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gemma-galgani/there-is-a-school-in-heaven-and-there-one-has-only-to-learn-how-to/)

[Gemma Galgani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gemma-galgani/)

> [“Rabbi, the Sacred Teacher, Jesus Christ.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/rabbi-the-sacred-teacher-jesus-christ/)

[Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/)

> [There has never been, and there will never be, another human who will be more successful than the humble Teacher, Jesus Christ.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-johnson/there-has-never-been-and-there-will-never-be-another-human-who-will/)

[Monica Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-johnson/)

> [“Jesus was consistently on the side of those who were outcast by society and bore the unfair burden of disdain, discrimination, and prejudice. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-robinson/jesus-was-consistently-on-the-side-of-those-who-were-outcast-by/)

[Gene Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-robinson/)

> [“Imagine that Jesus died on the cross. But who will be immortal in this world, or are you not going to die too my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mwanandeke-kindembo/imagine-that-jesus-died-on-the-cross-but-who-will-be-immortal-in-this/)

[Mwanandeke Kindembo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mwanandeke-kindembo/)

> [Can't fall asleep? Just imagine Jesus holding you in His arms. Comforting, isn't it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/can-t-fall-asleep-just-imagine-jesus-holding-you-in-his-arms/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [How many there are ... who imagine that because Jesus paid it all, they need pay nothing, forgetting that the prime object of their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lottie-moon/how-many-there-are-who-imagine-that-because-jesus-paid-it-all-they/)

[Lottie Moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lottie-moon/)

> [Imagine Jesus crucified in your arms and on your chest, and say a hundred times as you kiss His chest, "This is my hope,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pio-of-pietrelcina/imagine-jesus-crucified-in-your-arms-and-on-your-chest-and-say-a/)

[Pio of Pietrelcina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pio-of-pietrelcina/)

> [“Imagine if Jesus chased you around, trying to catch you and save your soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/imagine-if-jesus-chased-you-around-trying-to-catch-you-and-save-your/)

[Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/)

> [“She understood she was far from perfect, but to even imagine that Jesus could step off the throne of heaven to die for someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-cook/she-understood-she-was-far-from-perfect-but-to-even-imagine-that/)

Philip Cook

## More by Gary M. Burge

> [“One of the odd features of the Christian life, and Scripture more broadly, is that times of suffering and sin can be renarrated in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-m-burge/one-of-the-odd-features-of-the-christian-life-and-scripture-more/)

[Gary M. Burge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-m-burge/)

> [“Here is how Basil of Caesarea puts it: “When the Lord taught us the doctrine of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, . . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-m-burge/here-is-how-basil-of-caesarea-puts-it-when-the-lord-taught-us-the/)

[Gary M. Burge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-m-burge/)

> [“Mary Daly so provocatively noted the incipient nature of this danger when she exclaimed: “If God is male, then the male is God.”7”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-m-burge/mary-daly-so-provocatively-noted-the-incipient-nature-of-this-danger/)

[Gary M. Burge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-m-burge/)

> [“That is why we began with a discussion on how to speak of God properly. Throughout our discussion we have seen that the witness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-m-burge/that-is-why-we-began-with-a-discussion-on-how-to-speak-of-god/)

[Gary M. Burge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-m-burge/)

> [“The theologian Karl Barth spoke of religion as humanity’s faulty attempts to try to understand God on their own, while Jesus Christ is God’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-m-burge/the-theologian-karl-barth-spoke-of-religion-as-humanity-s-faulty/)

[Gary M. Burge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-m-burge/)

> [“It is possible to be outside God’s revealed will—by oppressing the poor, for instance, or rejecting the authority of Scripture—but we cannot, by definition,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-m-burge/it-is-possible-to-be-outside-god-s-revealed-will-by-oppressing-the/)

[Gary M. Burge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-m-burge/)

> [“Evangelicals tend to be “crucicentric,” which means “centered on the cross.” And we fail to see the comprehensive nature of Christ’s work. As the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-m-burge/evangelicals-tend-to-be-crucicentric-which-means-centered-on-the/)

[Gary M. Burge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-m-burge/)

[Explore all 8 Gary M. Burge quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-m-burge/)

## More Education quotes

> [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/)

Ted Martinez

> [“In school you are taught to obey and not to think straight for your own good. Otherwise the world would be full of millionaires…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mwanandeke-kindembo/in-school-you-are-taught-to-obey-and-not-to-think-straight-for-your/)

[Mwanandeke Kindembo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mwanandeke-kindembo/)

> [For successful education there must always be a certain freshness in the knowledge dealt with. It must be either new in itself or invested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/for-successful-education-there-must-always-be-a-certain-freshness-in/)

[Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/)

> [Where I grew up, learning was a collective activity. But when I got to school and tried to share learning with other students that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/where-i-grew-up-learning-was-a-collective-activity-but-when-i-got-to/)

[Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/)

> [There's no authoritarian structure at Reed College, but the education is conservative. So what you have is a lot of students who are very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-miller/there-s-no-authoritarian-structure-at-reed-college-but-the-education/)

[Donald Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-miller/)

> [“What's the best thing about being in college? Good teachers. They inspire you, they entertain you, and you end up learning a ton even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/what-s-the-best-thing-about-being-in-college-good-teachers-they/)

[Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/)

> [“If one has not a head of steel it will burst; if he has not within it a brain of liquid quicksilver, he will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ioannes-amos-commenius/if-one-has-not-a-head-of-steel-it-will-burst-if-he-has-not-within-it/)

Ioannes Amos Commenius

> [“let us not teach / what we have learned badly / and not profited by”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-d-hilda-doolittle/let-us-not-teach-what-we-have-learned-badly-and-not-profited-by/)

H.D. (Hilda Doolittle

> [“It took me years to learn to sit at my desk for more than two minutes at a time, to put up with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-jong/it-took-me-years-to-learn-to-sit-at-my-desk-for-more-than-two-minutes/)

[Erica Jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-jong/)

> [According to Plato, we don't learn anything. Our soul has lived so many lives that we know everything. Teachers and education can only remind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/according-to-plato-we-don-t-learn-anything-our-soul-has-lived-so-many/)

[Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/)

> [“I only began to enjoy studying after I got through the educational system and became a so-called member of society. If something interested me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-only-began-to-enjoy-studying-after-i-got-through-the-educational/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [If you had made the acquiring of ignorance the study of your life, you could not have graduated with higher honor than you could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/if-you-had-made-the-acquiring-of-ignorance-the-study-of-your-life-you/)

[Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/)

> [How wonderful it would be, I thought, if only we could practice the teachings of the Buddha as he really taught them from his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/how-wonderful-it-would-be-i-thought-if-only-we-could-practice-the/)

[Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/)

> [English teachers tend to put more thought in the books than the author did](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/english-teachers-tend-to-put-more-thought-in-the-books-than-the/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [When will society, like a mother, take care of all her children?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/when-will-society-like-a-mother-take-care-of-all-her-children/)

[Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/)

[Browse all 37,666 Education quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“When we imagine Jesus’ teaching in his own time and place, W ca we cannot use profiles of teachers from our own world to understand the nature of his work. Our culture is heir to the Greek tradition, where abstract reasoning and verbal prowess are the measure of the teacher. Jesus’ world was different. He communicated through word pictures, dramatic actions, metaphors, and stories. Rather than lecture about religious corruption, Jesus refers to the Pharisees as “whitewashed tombs.” Rather than outline the failings of the temple, he curses a fig tree. This means that we should think of Jesus as a “metaphorical theologian” for whom drama, humor, and storytelling were all a part of his method.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Gary M. Burge"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-m-burge/when-we-imagine-jesus-teaching-in-his-own-time-and-place-w-ca-we/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Education"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-m-burge/when-we-imagine-jesus-teaching-in-his-own-time-and-place-w-ca-we/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c6/gary-m-burge-48311_education_when-we-imagine-jesus-teaching-in-his-ow_83403.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c6/gary-m-burge-48311_education_when-we-imagine-jesus-teaching-in-his-ow_83403.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c6/gary-m-burge-48311_education_when-we-imagine-jesus-teaching-in-his-ow_83403.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“When we imagine Jesus’ teaching in his own time and place, W ca we cannot use profiles of teachers from our…” — Gary M. Burge",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Gary M. Burge",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-m-burge/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“When we imagine Jesus’ teaching in...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-m-burge/when-we-imagine-jesus-teaching-in-his-own-time-and-place-w-ca-we/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-m-burge/when-we-imagine-jesus-teaching-in-his-own-time-and-place-w-ca-we/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
