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Jesus began to speak to them about many things in parables,1 saying: “Look! A sower2 went out to sow [seed].”
| 1 | Parables: Or, GDSP: figures; BAS: in the form of a story; AMP: illustration. The Greek is PARABOLAIS. The word occurs in Matthew 17 times, Mark 13 times, Luke 18 times, but not in John. Many of the Nazarene’s teachings are in the form of parables. |
| 2 | Sower: Farmers and herdsmen are familiar object lessons by the Nazarene. The Greek is SPEIRON (from SPERMA). |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
We choose Matthew 13:3 as the theme verse of chapter thirteen – Kingdom Parables. The Nazarene Master begins with the parable of seed sown in different types of soil and the results. [1-9] When asked why he speaks in parables Jesus gives a Scriptural answer citing Isaiah 6:9, 10. [10-15] He declares how divinely blessed are those eyes and ears that obey what they hear. [16, 17] Christ explains the meaning of the parable of the seed and soil. [18-23] He then relates another parable about a field of wheat over sown with weeds. [24-30]
The Master now relates several brief parables, first that comparing the Kingdom to a mustard seed. [31, 32] Next, he compares the Kingdom to the fermented whole of bread dough. [33] Matthew draws on Psalm 78:2 to explain why Christ speaks in parables. [34, 35] Now Jesus explains to his apostles the parable of the two types of seed down in the Master’s field. [36-43] Christ is the Sower. His field includes the whole world of humanity. The good seed are children of the realm, while the bad seed are the Devil’s own brood. The harvest is at the conclusion of the Gospel time period. The reapers are angels. The weeds [or, tares/darnel/zizania] – the scandalous and lawless are culled out of the realm – are judged and punished first, then the children of the realm remain after the judgment and then shine like the sun in the Father’s Kingdom.
More brief parables comparing the Kingdom realm are given by the Master. [44-50] First the parable of the hidden treasure, next that of the valuable pearl, and then that of the dragnet. Jesus concludes by asking his disciples if they understood these parables. They answer, Yes. He then instructs them as students of the Kingdom to go out like public teachers and share their good treasure. The crowds wonder where Jesus received such wisdom. [53-58] The Nazarene answers that a prophet is never honored in his own home.
Abba our Father bless those public teachers who share both the new and old from their treasures.
[25 October 2002]
Narratives designed to convey spiritual instruction. The parable differs from the proverb in being a narrative, from the fable in being true to nature, from the myth in being undeceptive, from the allegory in that it veils the spiritual truth.
