5This complete collection of Richard Chenevix Trench's parable notes contains all thirty of his splendid commentaries complete with his introduction and preface.

A renowned scholar of the Biblical texts who served as Archbishop of the Church of England, the author offers here a detailed and meticulous examination of thirty of the best-known Biblical parables. The words of Jesus Christ, who was renowned for using parables to teach his followers, plus examples of other New Testament stories, are subject to lengthy yet informative analyses.

The language the Bible uses, down to the individual chapters and verses, is subject to an annotated commentary. Trench commonly references other books in the Bible which compliment a given passage, as well as poignant classical literature from writers as diverse as Plato, Ovid and Seneca. The author on many occasions quotes the original Greek text of the Bible, in order to confer clarity to a given verse.

In all, Trench's commentary is replete with expertise both on the Christian theology and the virtues long promoted in the Bible. The moral lessons definitive of Christ, and the historical and social context of the stories, receive a superb and thorough treatment by a well-read, authoritative and lifelong student of the Lord.

The author was a well-known figure in English society during the 19th century. He presided over the Church of England at a time when Britain became industrialized, and when relations with Ireland broke down in the wake of the Potato Famine. The disestablishment of the Irish church was a major setback for Archbishop Trench - a Dubliner - however he continued to promote good understanding between all Christians, and published poetry - generally on religious themes - throughout his life.