Matt Scraper INTERPRETATION OF MATTHEW 13:1-52 There are seven parables in Matthew 13:1-52: (1) The Parable of the Sower (13:3b-9); (2) The Parable of the Weeds Growing Secretly (13:24-30); (3) The Parable of the Mustard Seed (13:31-32); (4) The Parable of the Leaven (13:33); (5) The Parable of the Treasure Hidden in a Field (13:44); (6) The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price (13:45-46); and (7) The Parable of the Dragnet (13:47-50). I. THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER (13:3b-9): Cause Sowing the Seed (13:3b) Effect Path Devoured (4) PARABLE OF THE SOWER 13:3b-9 Four Types of Soil (13:4-8) Recurrence of Causation Con- Unfruitful Seeds (vv. 4-7) Rocky Ground Withers (5-6) Thorns Choked (7) Cause trast Climax Fruitful Seed (v. 8) Good Soil Bears Fruit (8) Effect Exhortation to Hear (13:9) 1) Causation involving the sower of the seed (v. 3b) [ultimate cause] and the sowing of the seed on the soils (vv. 4-8) [effect]. 2) Recurrence of Causation involving the four different types of soil [immediate cause] and the four different outcomes of the seed [effect]. 3) involving the first three types of unproductive soil (vv. 4-7) and the fourth type of productive soil (v. 8). 1
4) Climax involving the progressive growth (or lack thereof) of the four different types of soils. 5) Causation involving the telling of the parable of the sower (vv. 4-8) [cause] and the exhortation to hear (v. 9) [effect]. 1. Apologetic Purpose: Although the word which calls persons into the kingdom has been liberally proclaimed to the Jews, they have not responded to it and therefore have rejected God s kingdom. This is in no way the fault of the seed; the soil is poor (cf. 13:10-17). 2. Paraenetic Purpose: The kingdom of God is a kingdom of the word, which, because it is seed-like, will be affected in its outworkings in individuals by the initial and ongoing receptivity of the human heart - soil upon which it falls, with the result that it will fail to produce fruit in some, while in others it grows and increases. II. THE PARABLE OF THE WEEDS (13:24-30): THE PARABLE OF THE WEEDS (13:24-30) Preparation The Questions (13:27-29) Sowing Seeds (13:24-26) Realization Exhortation to wait for the harvest. (13:30) Good Seeds/Grain (24/26) Cruciality Bad Seeds/Grain (25-26) with Causation Question 1 Where did the weeds come from? (27) Answer 1 From the Enemy (28a) Question 2 Should we gather them? (28b) Answer 2 Leave the weeds to save the grain (29) Recurrence of 1. Preparation/Realization: Introducing what is about to take place (v. 24a) followed by the parable itself (24b-30). 2
2. : The association of the kingdom of heaven (v. 24b) with someone who sowed good seed in his field (v.24b) followed by the rest of the parable which illustrates the similarities between the two. 3. Cruciality with Causation: involving a change in direction within the parable from the action of good sower to the action of the enemy [cause] (v. 24-25) which lead to weeds among the harvest [effect] (v. 26). 4. Interrogation with Recurrence of : involving the use of questions which are asked and then answered (vv.27-29) and the repeated association of the different actions taken relative to the wheat and the weeds. (vv. 26, 29, 30b) 1. Apologetic Purpose: There will be unbelievers among the believers, as a result of the actions of the devil. Those unbelievers will remain, unharmed, for a time so as not to interfere with the growth of the believers. However, a point will come when the unbelievers are destroyed and the believers are harvested and brought home to be with God. 2. Paraenetic Purpose: Some will hear the teachings of the kingdom of God and take it into their hearts, while others will not, though they may live in the midst of other believers, their hearts will be hardened by the devil. It is not for the followers of Christ to act out against the unbelievers now, for a time will come when Christ will deal with them Himself. III. THE PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED (13:31-32): THE PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED (13:31-32) Like a mustard seed From the smallest to the greatest (13:31) (13:32) Preparation Realization Heaven is like (31a) A Mustard seed (31b) From the smallest of seeds (32a) with To the greatest of trees (32b) Instrumentation 1. Preparation/Realization: involving the use of an introductory phrase (v. 31a) to explain that which is to come (vv. 31b-32). 2. : involving the association of the kingdom of heaven 3
(v. 31a) with that which it is similar to, in this case, a mustard seed (v. 31b). 3. with Instrumentation: involving the association of a very small seed with the largest of trees (v. 32a) which serves the purpose of giving the birds a place to rest (v. 32b). 1. Apologetic Purpose: The kingdom of God is something that, when initially planted in the heart of the believer, is so small that it is hardly noticed, yet it grows into a mighty kingdom. 2. Paraenetic Purpose: Just as a tiny seed is hardly noticeable, so is the real work of the kingdom of God throughout the ministry of Jesus. Under fertile conditions, that which is hardly noticeable will grow, like the tree, into the mightiest of kingdoms. IV. THE PARABLE OF THE LEAVEN (13:33): The kingdom of heaven is like (33a) Preparation THE PARABLE OF THE LEAVEN (13:33) Yeast mixed with flour (33b) Realization with Instrumentation 1. Preparation/Realization: involving the use of an introductory phrase (v. 33a) to explain that which is to come (vv. 33b). 2. : involving the association of the kingdom of heaven (v. 33a) with yeast that is mixed in with the right measure of flower (v. 33b). 3. with Instrumentation: involving the association of that which is hidden (yeast) with that which is not hidden (flour) [contrast] such that the two come together with the purpose of forming leavened bread [instrumentation] (v.33). 4
1. Apologetic Purpose: The ministry of Jesus, to His followers, is not one that is grand and obvious in nature. Rather it is subtle and hidden, the fruits of which are to be found as they develop over time. 2. Paraenetic Purpose: The real work of Jesus ministry is not that which is obvious, but that which is hidden and grows, over time within the believer to produce the real kingdom. Thus the presence of the kingdom, within the believer, is something that the believer him or herself may eventually realize has been present and growing for quite some time. V. THE PARABLE OF THE HIDDEN TREASURE (13:44): THE PARABLE OF THE HIDDEN TREASURE (13:44) The kingdom of heaven is like (44a) Substantiation Hidden treasure that is found (44b) Instrumentation 1. : involving the association of the kingdom of heaven (v. 44a) with hidden treasure (v. 44b). 2. Substantiation: involving the movement from the discovery of the treasure [effect] to the actions needed to acquire that treasure [cause] (v 44). 3. : involving the association of that which is of great value (heaven) with that which is of little value (earthly possessions) (v. 44). 4. Instrumentation: involving the actions taken to acquire the field, which for the person in question is a means to an end (v. 44) Although the kingdom of heaven may be hidden, it is possible to locate it, and when it is found, it s value surpasses that of anything else on earth, and so everything possible should be done to obtain it. VI. THE PARABLE OF THE PEARL (13:45-46): The kingdom of heaven is like THE PARABLE OF THE PEARL (13:45-46) A hidden pearl After finding the (13:45b) pearl 5 The merchant overcomes all
(13:45a) Substantiation (13:46a) obstacles to get it (13:46b) Instrumentation 1. : involving the association of the kingdom of heaven (v. 45a) with an undiscovered pearl (v. 45b). 2. Substantiation: involving the movement from finding the pearl [effect] (v. 45) to the actions needed to acquire it [cause] (v 46). 3. : involving the association of that which is of great value (the pearl, or heaven) (v. 45) with that which is of little value (earthly possessions) (v. 46). 4. Instrumentation: involving the actions taken to acquire the pearl, which for the person in question is a means to an end (v. 46) Although the kingdom of heaven may appear to be hidden, it is possible to locate it. The value of heaven is so great that one should make every effort to overcome anything that stands between the individual and heaven, even to the point of giving up all earthly possessions. VII. THE PARABLE OF THE DRAGNET (13:47-50): The kingdom of heaven is like (13:47a) with Causation THE PARABLE OF THE DRAGNET (13:47-50) A net with fish Angels at the (13:47b-48 harvest (13:49) Catching all kinds of fish (47b) Good fish separate from bad fish (48) Cruciality Recurrence Final Harvest (49a) of Angels will separate good from bad (49b) The furnace of fire (13:50) Climax 1. with Causation: involving the association of the 6
kingdom of heaven (v. 47a) with a net cast into the sea (v. 47b) with movement from the gathering of fish [cause] (v. 48a) to the separating of the good from the bad [effect] (v. 48b). 2. Recurrence of : involving the association of the good fish with the bad fish (v. 48) and the actions of the angels relative to good and bad people at the end of the age. 3. Cruciality with Climax: involving a change in direction from the gathering of all fish, to the separating of the fish with movement form the lesser act of gathering, to the ultimate actions taken with the bad fish. While all believers and unbelievers will live together for a time, there will come a time when all will be gathered together and those who have chosen to embrace the kingdom of heaven will be separate from those who have not found it or chosen to embrace it. Time Spent: Approx 10 ½ hrs. 7