Matthew 13

Review

Chapters 11-12 have shown us a number of different responses to Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven arriving

glad acceptance

indifference

indignant animosity

Here in 13 we’ll be reading about 7 (maybe 8 depending on definitions) parables Jesus uses to teach about the Kingdom of Heaven

Teaching by the Lake

Matthew 13:1–3a KJV

1 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. 2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. 3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

boat as a pulpit separated from

Parable not as simple explanation, only the disciples were given those. Parable is a “story” that doesn’t carry it’s meaning on the surface. This demands thought and perception for the hearer to gain benefit.

The Sower

Matthew 13:3b–9 KJV

3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: 8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

A small point I have been convicted by, is the way I want to attach a “percentage” to a narrative like this. Would have been a pretty reckless farmer for only 25% to land on good ground

4: “Hardened”, packed ground that the seed wouldn’t even penetrate

5-6: some dirt, but mostly stones that don’ allow root

7: good dirt, but not taken care of, with thorn bushes too

8: good dirt and well taken care of

About Teaching in Parables

Matthew 13:10–17 KJV

10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Here and in 36 are 2 “private” side conversations Jesus has with the disciples about how parables are intended to work

The answer to why Jesus teaches with them is based on the explanation to the first parable that Isaiah’s prophecy speaks of in 14-15 (Isaiah 6:9-10)

The disciples were chosen by Jesus and all the prophets before (including john the Baptist) would not be around for this new, special revelation. They all looked forward to the coming of the kingdom, and now just as Jesus has said, it’s at hand.

Explanation of the Parable of the Sower

Matthew 13:18–23 KJV

18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. 20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Primary point is to explain and encourage when the disciples saw the different responses to the gospel; the message of Jesus since Matthew 4:17 “17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

19: when the ground is so hard the gospel can’t even get in, Matthew is telling us the devil takes away that truth sewn in the heart of the hearer

20-21: Nominal “Christians”. Following, but not understanding the truth of all that’s meant in the Gospel. What it truly means to be saved. All they had to do was pray a prayer and walk an aisle, then they’re ticket was punched to an easy life.

22: More nominal “Christians” that think the salvation that Jesus offers is the ticket to the wealth and health they’ve been looking for. Proverbs 11:28 “28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.”

23: Good ground is good Christians. True Christians produce some kind of fruit. However, Christians are not all the same. Some have more or different gifts and circumstances than others. Though all are fruitful, the harvest will vary.

Three Further Parables of Growth

Parable of the Weeds

Matthew 13:24–30 KJV

24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Parable of the sower the ground was the focus. Here the type of seed is

Wheat: Christians

Tares: darnel is a type of rye grass that looks identical up to a certain growth as wheat. Poisonous to eat.

Allow them to grow together in the world until judgement

Parables of the Mustard Seed and of the Leaven

Matthew 13:31–33 KJV

31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: 32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. 33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

Both teach of the small, barely perceptible beginnings that grow into a spectacular outcome

Point of the mustard seed isn’t about being botanically correct.

Isn’t the leavens growth that’s dramatic but the impact it has on the whole

Hidden three measures (60 pounds): we don’t hide the Gospel, but the truth of what Jesus has said is that saving grace is the understanding given by God. Grace to know they are lost and grace in knowing the savior. One day, though, all the heavens and the earth and all that exist will see the truth. Either in glory or in judgement.

About Teaching in Parables

Matthew 13:34–35 KJV

34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: 35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

Psalm 78:2 “2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:”

There it’s revealed account of the history of Israel; here Matthew is pointing out Jesus stands in line of the God’s authorized spokesmen

Mark 4:22 “22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.”

Explanation of the Parable of the Weeds

Matthew 13:36–43 KJV

36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. 37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

37-43, 49-50: One of the most explicit accounts of final judgement and the ultimate fates of the bad and the good we have in the gospels

38: Field is the world

Three Further Short Parables

The Parables of the Treasure and of the Pearl

Matthew 13:44–46 KJV

44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

About a wholehearted, enthusiastic commitment to the kingdom of heaven

once the kingdom of heaven is understood, nothing compares

The Parable of the Net and It’s Explanation

Matthew 13:47–50 KJV

47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: 48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, 50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Concluding Parable: The Householder (?)

Matthew 13:51–52 KJV

51 Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord. 52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

Disciples are not perfect, but on their way to understanding

disciples are now the “scribes”, the authorized teachers and writers for the kingdom of heaven as opposed to the Pharisaic scribes who have failed to grasp its message.

The disciples are more qualified now to feed the family of God

Moving On

Matthew 13:53 KJV

53 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.