Matt 13:24-43 The Parabolic Discourse Part 2- by Jeff Byerley

Study on Matt 13:24-43 The Parabolic Discourse Part 2

Outline:

13:24-30 The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares.
13:31-32 The Parable of the Mustard Seed.
13:33 The Parable of the Leaven.
13:34-35 Prophecy and the Parables.
13:36-43 The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares Explained.

Our Reflections
1. Why did Jesus explain some parables but not others?
2. What does the Parable of the Tares show us (13:24-30, 36-43)?
3. What does the Parable of the mustard seed show us (13:31-32)?
4. What does the Parable of the leaven show us (13:33)?
5. What do we understand from Jesus' quoted prophecy about the parables (13:34-35)?


1. Why did Jesus explain some parables but not others?
We noted that in this chapter Jesus explains only two of the parables but these are keys to understanding the surrounding parable which further explain what the Kingdom of Heaven is like.

2. What does the Parable of the Tares show us (13:24-30, 36-43)?
We observed that this parable made explicitly clear that Jesus sows the good seed (sons of the kingdom), whilst all the tares seeds opposing the good seed are sons of the wicked one. Their destiny is to spend eternity in Hell, whilst the kingdom sons will shine like the sun. We noted that the tares are those who “offend” and are “lawless”, a growing phenomena these days! Moreover, the parable shows the divine pre-emminence of Jesus as the Son of Man who sows the good seed and also as the one who will make the judgment of people at the end of the age. There is no middle ground. We felt that it also demonstrated the restraint of God, not to act in judgment upon the world until the end of the age, thus protecting those who would become kingdom children.

3. What does the Parable of the mustard seed show us (13:31-32)?
This parable shows the kingdom growing from a very humble and small beginning to eventually becoming large, in which birds of the air find refuge and a home in it. We learnt that this accords with the tree in Danial 4 (and also Ezekiel 17). These are references to a worldwide kingdom growth in which the subjects can find a home. So it will be with the kingdom of heaven.

4. What does the Parable of the leaven show us (13:33)?
Again the kingdom of heaven grows quietly, inconspicuously, not as an observable military subjection, but unseen, permeating inside, winning the hearts of people.

5. What do we understand from Jesus' quoted prophecy about the parables (13:34-35)?
This is a prophecy from Psalm 78:2. To those who have ears to hear (v.43), God will reveal mysteries hidden from before the foundation of the world.