Abstract:
In this article the argument is put forward that Jesus’ parables portray him as a social prophet,
as many of the issues addressed by Old Testament prophets (such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos and Hosea) are common themes in Jesus’ parables. As proof for and further elaboration on the
abovementioned argument, two of these themes from Jesus’ parables, religious inclusivity and
social injustice, are discussed. It is concluded that if public theology is understood as public
theologians doing theology in public, Jesus was a ‘public theologian’ par excellence.
