According to Gustav Dalman, a hundredfold yield is possible within the Jordan Valley, and therefore Jesus remains within the realm of the possible in the parable.14 But his figures, adopted by others, have been severely challenged. It has been argued that even a thirtyfold yield would have been considered miraculous in ancient Palestine.15 In any event, such computations are beside the point. It is doubtful whether anyone, including Jesus or his original hearers, would have sat down and counted how