Introduction
In Matthew Chapter 13 we find 7 parables about the kingdom of heaven. These were delivered from a boat and the crowd gathered on the beach to listen. Jesus described the kingdom by using examples from daily life: sowing, baking, buying and selling, and fishing with a net. The disciples asked Jesus why he taught using parables. He replied, "Let those who have ears hear." He said that some are not able to hear the truth about the kingdom.
Later Jesus went into the house where his disciples asked him to explain the parable of the weeds in the field. When Jesus asked them if they understood, they said "yes", but their understanding was that of people looking through a glass "darkly" as Jesus' glory was not revealed to them until His resurrection and ascension.
Questions
1. The parable of the Sower speaks of 4 spiritual realities. What are they?
2. Why is it important to try to understand the Gospel?
3. What is the message of Jesus' parable of the Mustard Seed?
4. What is the message of the leaven worked into the loaf?
5. The farmer who found weeds sown in his field by an enemy tells his servants to allow them to grow until the harvest. What does this reveal about God's patience and compassion?
6. The parable of the treasure hidden in a field has been interpreted differently depending on the man's identity. What are the possible interpretations of this parable?
7. What is the meaning of the parable of the pearl? (See also Matthew 7:6.)
8. What is the meaning of the parable of the catch of fish?
9. What does it mean to be trained for the kingdom? (vv. 51-52)
10. Jesus did not work many miracles in his hometown. Why is a prophet without honor among his own people?
Answers
1. Seed that falls on the path represents lack of understanding and is snatched by the evil one. Seed that falls on rocky ground fails to gain roots and the weak plant withers in the sun. Matthew relates this seed on rocky ground to those who fall away in times of persecution. Seed that falls among the thorns is choked and unfruitful. This relates to people who delight in worldly things. Seed that falls on good soil bears much fruit. This relates to those who hear the Gospel and understand it.
2. Jesus explained that "When any one hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in his heart" (v. 19). We are to seek understanding or what we have will be taken from us. Matthew 13:12 warns, "For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him."
3. From something very small and seemingly insignificant can come developments of great significance. Healthy spiritual growth is incremental and often not noticed. The kingdom of heaven grows from humble beginnings into a great tree that provides shelter for many birds. This was not a message the Jews wanted to hear. They were seeking a Messiah who would immediately deliver them from Roman rule. They sought a political solution.
4. A woman mixes leaven into flour and waits for it to rise. The kingdom of heaven, like leaven, is hidden from the undiscerning. It works secretly. Jesus quotes the prophet Asaph: "I will open my mouth in parables. I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world." This is a reference to Psalm 78 which is ascribed to Asaph the Seer. He is mentioned in 2 Chronicles 29:30.
5. By allowing the weeds to grow with the wheat, the wheat is not damaged and lost. This parable is explained in 2 Peter 3:9 - "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, but is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." Jesus explained the parable to his disciples privately in a house (v. 36). He said, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father." (Matthew 13:37-43)
6. Interpretations of the parable of the hidden treasure depend on who one believes the "man" to be. The man may represent an individual who discovers Jesus, the hidden treasure. He gives up everything to gain Jesus. However, the "man" may be Jesus whose hidden treasure is the church or the fallen world for which he gave up his life. In Matthew's Gospel, the "man" often represents Jesus (Matt 13:24, 13:31, 25:14).
7. The parable of the pearl describes a person of great discernment. He judges the value of the kingdom of heaven against other claims and recognizes its surpassing worth. We are to discern truth from falsehood, good from evil, and the will of God from our own wills. Hebrews 5:14 speaks of this: “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." Discerning Christians recognize that nothing is of greater value than being in the kingdom of heaven.
8. The parable of the catch of fish is about the final judgement when the angels will sort the good fish from the bad. Jesus explained, "The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (v.49)
9. Jesus describes one trained for the kingdom as a scribe. In Jewish culture, a scribe was a well-informed individual who knew Scripture well. Jesus told his disciples that they should be like that. He wanted them to uphold what is good and spiritually valuable from the old traditions as well as from the new. They were to appropriate the truth about the kingdom of heaven from the Hebrew Scriptures and from their direct experience of Jesus Messiah. The Apostle Paul reminds us that while we now "see through a glass, darkly" and know only in part, the day will dawn when we shall know even as we are also known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)
10. There is a saying that "familiarity breeds contempt." Jesus family and community knew him from childhood. Knowledge of someone often leads to a loss of respect for them. John's Gospel explains that Jesus' brothers did not believe in him (John 7:5). The rumors circulating about Jesus being the Messiah must have been difficult for them to accept. However, this changed. Jesus' half-brother James became a prominent figure in the Jerusalem Church. His leadership was characterized by wisdom, piety, and commitment to both Jewish traditions and faith in Jesus Messiah.
Jewish rabbis typically taught using parables that they strung together like pearls on a string. Jesus was teaching the people in a manner that was familiar to them.
Related Reading
Matthew Chapter 1: A Closer Look
Matthew Chapter 2: The Magi Worship the Christ and Defy Herod
Matthew Chapter 3: Jesus and John Fulfill All Righteousness
Matthew Chapter 4: Jesus Exposes the Devil's Tactics
Matthew Chapter 5: Jesus Teaches with Superior Authority
Matthew Chapter 6: True Kingdom Seekers
Matthew Chapter 7: Entering by the Narrow Gate
Matthew Chapter 8: The Uniqueness of Jesus
Matthew Chapter 9: Christ the Compassionate Lord
Matthew Chapter 10: The Apostles' High Calling
Matthew Chapter 11: The Messiah Brings Relief
Matthew Chapter 12: Greater Glory Resides in Jesus
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