FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
BACKGROUND TO Mat_13:1-58
A. The understanding of parables was and is related to a prior faith commitment. Even the Apostles did not initially understand Jesus' teachings (i.e., Mar_4:13; Mar_4:40; Mar_6:52; Mar_7:18; Mar_8:17; Mar_8:21; Mar_8:33; Mar_9:10; Mar_9:32). In some ways understanding is dependent upon
1. election
2. the illuminating power of the Spirit
3. a willingness to repent and believe (i.e., Isa_6:9-10; Isa_30:6)
Understanding involves a divine empowering and a human faith response!
B. " Parable" is a compound word in Greek meaning "to throw alongside." Common occurrences were used to illustrate spiritual truths. However it must be remembered that to these Jewish writers this Greek word reflected the Hebrew mashal which meant "riddle" or "proverb," in wisdom literature terminology. The parables form types of literary relationships similar to the parallelism of Hebrew poetry.
1. parables that illustrate similarity
2. parables that illustrate contrasts
3. parables that build to certain types of climatic statements of truth
It is crucial to determine the type of contrast/similarity climax that the parable is intended to illustrate. To miss this is to misinterpret the parable's intended purpose. One must be willing to rethink issues and expected outcomes in light of the surprising nature of the mashal.
C. Some of the parables in Matthew 13 form doubles. The same central truths are repeated with different examples.
1. The Tares and the Dragnet
2. Mustard Seed and Leaven
3. Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price
It is possible that Mat_13:51-52 form an eighth parable.
D. The parables of Matthew 13 are paralleled in the other Synoptic Gospels.
Matthew
Mark
Luke
Mat_13:1-9; Mat_13:18-23
Mat_13:6-9
Mat_13:24-30; Mat_13:36-43
Mat_13:31-32
Mat_13:33
Mat_13:34
Mat_13:44
Mat_13:45-46
Mar_4:1-9; Mar_4:13-20
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Mar_4:30-32
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Luk_8:4-8; Luk_8:11-15
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Luk_13:18-19
Luk_13:20-21
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E. Of the seven parables in Matthew 13, the sower/soils and the mustard seed are both in Mark and Luke while the parable about leaven is repeated in Luke only. As Matthew gathered the teachings of Jesus into the long sermon of Matthew 5-7, so too he gathered the parables of Jesus into one context.
F. It is possible that Matthew structured his Gospel so that the faith response to Jesus' preaching and teaching was mixed (Matthew 8-12). Some responded but some did not. If Jesus was God's Messiah, why did not all respond? This is the question that this series of parables answers.
This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. List the central truth of each of these parables in your own words. Is there a unifying theme in this chapter?
2. How does one balance a free salvation with one that costs everything?
3. Is hell as biblical a doctrine as heaven?
4. How was Jesus' teaching style different from the rabbis'?