Not Yet
PARABLE (מָשָׁ֑ל, mashal; παραβολή, parabolē). A story or saying that illustrates a truth using comparison, hyperbole, or simile. Can be a model, analogy, or example.
In Greek rhetoric, parables were used in argumentation to clarify, prove, or cause something to appear livelier (Rhet. Her. 4.45.58–4.48.61). Rabbinic parables explain passages of Scripture, or illustrate an interpretation of a passage already provided.
§ 13:24–30 Again, Jesus Himself provides the interpretation (vv. 36–43). The field is the whole world, not just Israel or the church, and God withholds immediate judgment for the sake of the elect who are in the world. The righteous have had to live in the midst of the unrighteous from the beginning.
§ 13:31 like a mustard seed. The mustard scrub can grow to a height of ten feet. The things of God may appear small in the world, yet have great results. Certainly the kingdom of heaven at that point in history appeared to be nothing in comparison with Rome, yet it would prove to be much greater.
Parables were Jesus’ primary vehicle for teaching truth. The term “parable” (parabolēg, Gk.) literally means “to throw beside” and is in essence a comparison. The parable “throws” a concrete situation “beside” a spiritual truth and compares them. Parables were designed to stimulate thought and cause the hearer to contemplate the truth being taught. Parables were intended both to reveal and to conceal. The intended meaning of some parables was unmistakable (12:12), while others needed explanation
Jesus was aware that His enemies were seeking ways to find fault with Him or His message. The use of parables allowed Him to teach truth in a manner that believers would understand (either immediately or by explanation) and unbelievers would fail to grasp (cf. Matt. 13:13, note).
his enemy came and sowed tares: Tares closely resemble wheat, but are poisonous to human beings. They are indistinguishable from wheat until the final fruit appears. Farmers would weed out tares just before the wheat harvest. Until Christ returns, both genuine believers and counterfeits will be allowed to remain together.
Thus, it will be easier to slip in some counterfeits who profess the church, which is the subject of these parables. The enemy is Satan and the tares (Gr. zizanion, “darnel”) are false converts. The darnel was a weed that resembled wheat but did not come to fruition. The good seed … sprung up, and brought forth fruit again, emphasizing that true converts produce fruitful lives. By contrast, false converts produce no lasting fruit.
Parables reveal as well as conceal. Jesus quotes from Ps. 78:2, where the “parables” or “dark sayings” are a recital of the history of God’s redemption of His people climaxing in the choice of David to shepherd Israel.