Parables of Jesus in roughly chronological Order · 2018-07-26 · Parables Study 1 Parables of...

Parables Study 1

Parables of Jesus in roughly chronological Order

Parable Scriptural location

1 New Cloth on an Old Coat (Matthew 9:16, Mark 2:21, Luke 5:36).

2 New Wine in Old Wineskins (Matthew 9:17, Mark 2:22, Luke 5:37).

3 Lamp on a Stand (Matthew 5:14, Mark 4:21-22, Luke 8:16,

Luke 11:33)

4 Wise and Foolish Builders (Matthew 7:24-27)

5 Moneylender Forgives Unequal

Debts

(Luke 7:41-43)

6 The Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21).

7 The Watchful Servant (Luke 12:35-38, Mark 13:35-37)

8 The Faithful Servant/steward (Luke 12:42-48, Matthew 24:45-51)

9 Unfruitful Fig Tree (Luke 13:6-9)

10 Sower and Four Types of Soil (Matthew 13:3-8, Mark 4:3-8, Luke 8:5-8)

11 Wheat and Tares (Matthew 13:24-30)

12 Growing Seed (Mark 4:26-29).

13 Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32, Mark 4:30-32, Luke

13:18-19).

14 Yeast (Matthew 13:33)

15 Hidden Treasure (Matthew 13:44)

16 Valuable Pearl (Matthew 13:45-46)

17 Fishing Net (Matthew 13:47-50).

18 Owner of a House (Matthew 13:52)

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19 Lost Sheep (Matthew 18:12-13, Luke 15:4-7).

20 Master and His Servant (Luke 17:7-10)

21 Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:23-34)

22 Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).

23 Friend in Need (Luke 11:5-8).

24 Lowest Seat at the Feast (Luke 14:7-14)

25 Invitation to a Great Banquet (Luke 14:16-24)

26 Cost of Discipleship (Luke 14:28-33)

27 Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10)

28 Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11)

1 New cloth on an old coat (Matthew 9:16, Mark 2:21, Luke 5:36)

16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away

from the garment, and the tear is made worse.

(Matt 9:16)

21No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; or else the new piece

pulls away from the old, and the tear is made worse.

36 Then He spoke a parable to them: “No one puts a piece from a new garment on an

old one; otherwise the new makes a tear, and also the piece that was taken out of the

new does not match the old. (Luke 5:36)

Talking points

1. Who is this parable given to? (Matt 9:14)

2. What was the reason they were approaching Jesus?

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3. Who or what is Jesus addressing in the parable? (Matt 9:14)

4. What are our points of reference?

5. What background information do we need?

6. Why wouldn't you put new unshrunk cloth on an old garment?

7. How does Luke's telling of the parable differ to Matthew and Mark's?

8. What point is Luke making?

2 New wine in old wineskins (Matthew 9:17, Mark 2:22, Luke 5:37)

17 Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine

is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins,

and both are preserved.”

(Matt 9:17)

22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the

wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put

into new wineskins.”

(Mark 2:22)

37And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst

the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined.

(Luke 5:37)

Talking points

1. Why wouldn't you put new wine in old wineskins?

Old wine containers made out of animal skins eventually became hard and brittle.

"New wine," that continued to expand as it fermented, would "burst" the inflexible

"old wineskins." "New (fresh) wineskins" were still elastic enough to stretch with the

expanding new wine. (Constable 176)

2.What point are both the parables making?

Key thing to note in both parable = new things in or on old things

1. What is the new thing?

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2. What is the old thing?

3. Why can the new and the old not mix?

4. Was Jesus here to totally abolish the old? (read Matt 5:17)

Interpretation

Jesus’ reference to the wineskins was His announcement that the present institutions of

Judaism could not and would not contain His new wine (the Kingdom of God). The same is

true for the cloth. The new cannot simply be attached to the old. Jesus foresees that some

will try to insert the new liberty of the gospel into the old rituals and customs of the Mosaic

Law.

The context for both parables is Jesus failure in the minds of the Jewish elders to fit into the

expected patterns of Jewish piety (Wendham 33). Jesus as a “revolutionary” if you like is

announcing the arrival of something new. He would form a new institution we know today

as the church. The church would bring Jew and Gentile together into a completely new

body.

Jesus reminds us that what is old and stagnant often cannot be renewed or reformed. God

will often look for new vessels to contain His new work, until those vessels eventually make

themselves unusable. This reminds us that the religious establishment of any age is not

necessarily pleasing to Jesus. Sometimes it is in direct opposition to, or at least resisting His

work.

The parable illustrates the fact that you can’t mix old religious rituals with new faith in

Jesus. Jesus’ disciples were not fasting along with the Pharisees and John’s disciples

because they were now under the new covenant of grace and faith in Christ.

Jesus fulfilled the law; therefore, there is no longer any need to continue with the old rituals.

Jesus cannot be added to a works-based religion (all other man-made religious systems). In

the case of the Pharisees, they were consumed with their own self-righteousness, and faith

in Jesus cannot be combined with self-righteous rituals.

Application for us today

1. How might this parable be applied today?

2. In what ways do we sometimes become ritualistic in our worship or religious practice?

3. Can you think of ways in which some have tried to mix old with new?

3 Lamp on a stand (Matthew 5:14, Mark 4:21-22, Luke 8:16,

Luke 11:33)

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14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden

(Matt 5:14)

21 He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead,

don’t you put it on its stand? 22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and

whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. 23 If anyone has ears

to hear, let them hear.”24 “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With

the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. 25 Whoever has will

be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”

(Mark 4:21-25)

16 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they

put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.

(Luke 8:16)

33“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a

bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.”

(Luke 11:33)

Talking points

1. Who is the audience for this parable? (read Mark 4:10)


3. What do the points of reference relate to?

Interpretation notes

The lamp

The "lamp" in this parable would have been a small clay dish, with

the edges pinched up to form a spout. A small piece of fabric

typically hung over the spout from the body of the lamp serving

as a wick. These household lamps usually held only a few

teaspoons of oil, and rested on extensions of wood or plaster

protruding from a wall or on occasions in niches in the wall.

Interpretation

There may be three possible ways to view this parable

1. The most common understanding is this. In the parable of “The lamp on a stand” Jesus is

dealing with the subject of Christian influence within the world. As followers of Christ our

responsibility is to walk in the light as He is in the light and shine grace into the world of the

lost and needy. We are to let the light of Christ in us shine before men in such a way that

they may see our good works, and glorify our Father in heaven.

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Note = The Christian must either spread the word itself, or spread the influence of

God's word by bringing others to a place where they will hear it. Really we should be

doing both.

The presence of light in darkness is something which is unmistakable. The presence of

Christians in the world must be like a light in the darkness, not only in the sense that the

truth of God’s Word brings light to the darkened hearts of sinful man, but also in the sense

that our good deeds must be evident for all to see. Notice especially that the concern is not

that Christians would stand out for their own sake, but that those who looked on might

“glorify your Father who is in heaven”

2. The next most likely understanding sees Jesus as the Light that comes into the world.

Jesus on occasion spoke of Himself as the Light of the world (John 8:12). The mystery of

His identity is hidden from most people but one day will be known by all.

3. The least likely explanation is that Jesus is referring to His own use of parables. When

Jesus gave them they were an act of concealment of the truth but one day they would be

seen or revealed to all.


1. How might this parable be applied today?

2. How effective are we as lights to the world?

3. What could we do to be better or more effective lights in the world?

3. What examples can we think of the “basket” that hides our light?

4 Wise and Foolish Builders (Matthew 7:24-27)

24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to

a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods

came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was

founded on the rock.

26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like

a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods

came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

(Matthew 7:24-27)

Talking points

1. Where is this parable located in Matthew?

2. Who was Jesus addressing? (Matt 5:1-2)

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4. How would we describe the wise man?

5. How would we describe the foolish man?

6. What do the rains, winds, floods symbolize?


In Jesus' illustration of the two builders, each house looked the same from the outside. To an

independent observer they both looked well constructed and stable. However severe testing

reveals the true quality of the builders' work.

Torrential downpours were and are common in Israel. Wise men build to withstand

whatever the weather throws at their building.

Interpretation

Of course the parable is not really talking about physical buildings but our lives. The real

foundation of our life is usually hidden for everyone except God and is only proven in the

storm (times of severe testing and stress). When tough times and circumstances arise how

will we fare? Will we stand firm on the truth revealed in Christ or will we crumble and fal?.

The wise person is a theme in Matthew's gospel (see for example 10:16; 24:45; 25:2, 4, 8-

9). The "wise" person is one who puts Jesus' "words" into practice.


1. How firm are your foundations?

2. Can you think of real life examples of when your faith has been tested or shaken?

3. What practical steps can we take to make our foundations solid?

5 Moneylender Forgives Unequal Debts ((Luke 7:41-43)

41“There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred

denarii, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing with which to repay, he

freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” 43

Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.”And He said to

him, “You have rightly judged.”

(Luke 7:41-43)

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Talking points

1. To whom is the parable given? (Luke 7:40)

2. In what context is it given? (Luke 7:36-39)

3. What are our reference points?

4. Who is the “creditor?”

5. Who are the “debtors?”

6. What do we need to know regarding the context of this parable?

Background information

Jesus had accepted an invitation to dinner from a Pharisee called Simon (Luke 7:36). The

story presents Simon as inhospitable and insulting, but not hostile or antagonistic.

Social custom allowed needy people to visit such meals and to partake of some of the

leftovers. Also it was not unusual for people to drop in when a rabbi was visiting. The

woman was a member of the social class called “sinners,” by the Pharisees because they

followed the Mosaic laws loosely. This was in contrast to the Pharisees who strictly adhered

to the laws.

The liquid perfume was in an expensive "alabaster vial." Jewish women frequently wore

such vials suspended from a cord around their necks.

A denarius was worth one day's wage for an agricultural laborer. Regardless of

the buying power of the money in view, obviously both men owed

considerable debts, but one's debt was 10 times greater than the others.

Interpretation

Jesus uses this simple and easily understood parable to illustrate that the more we are

forgiven, the more we should love. Jesus brought the good news of God's forgiveness for

those unable to pay their “debts.” This debt or sin comes between us and God and without

our repentance and God's mercy would have fatal consequences.

Those in the revolution (the Kingdom) are those who have received that forgiveness through

Christ and whose lives are now marked by grateful love for Jesus. Our love for Christ

should also be seen in our loving and forgiving attitude towards others.


1. What can we learn from this parable?

2. Can you think of occasions when you were or were not forgiving to others?

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3. What stands in the way of you being more forgiving to others?

4. How can we relate this parable to God's gracious act of salvation?

6 The Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21).

16 Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man

yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I

have no room to store my crops?’ 18 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my

barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I

will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your

ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul

will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’

21“So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

(Luke 12:16-21)

Talking points

1. What prompts the telling of this parable? (see Luke 12:13)


3. Why was the man successful and rich?

4. Why is the man a “fool?”

5. What is the parables main point?

Background information

It was quite common in the first century to approach a rabbi for a legal ruling. That is what

seems to be happening in Luke 12:13.

Interpretation

The man in this parable was blessed with fertile ground; we can assume that by working

hard and using the land wisely he had been successful in business. He was so successful that

he had trouble managing his resources.

It's interesting that we often think having money or resources results in joy and contentment.

Often as this parable shows rich people are just as worried if not more worried than people

who lack resources.

The man is a fool not because he was rich, but because he lived without any awareness of

and preparation for eternity.

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The parable then is reminding us of our correct perspective on life. Our focus should not be

limited or restricted to our life on earth and the things of this life but on eternity.


1. In what ways might we be like the rich man in this parable?

2. How do we balance our needs in this life with our hope and expectation of eternity?

3. How do people get this right?

4. How do people get this wrong? (think asceticism)

Asceticism, (from Greek askeō: “to exercise,” or “to train”), the practice of the denial

of physical or psychological desires in order to attain a spiritual ideal or goal.

7 The Watchful Servant (Luke 12:35-38, Mark 13:35-37)

35 “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; 36 and you yourselves be like

men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he

comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. 37 Blessed are those servants

whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he

will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. 38 And

if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so,

blessed are those servants.

(Luke 12:35-38)

35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in

the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— 36 lest,

coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”

(Mark 13:35-37)

Talking points

1. To whom is this parable given? (See Luke 12:22 and 12:41)


3. What does the phrase “waist be girded” mean?

4. What is meant by the phrase, “your lamps burning?”

5. What is the significance of the wedding? (read Rev 19:9)

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5 Is this parable simply for the disciples or all faithful servants?

6 What is Mark's message. What is he driving home as important?

7 Why is Luke's conclusion so amazing and to the original audience so shocking?

7 In summary what do both parables tell us?


The Romans divided the night into four periods of time which were when guards were on

duty. The night was broken into watches.

First watch 6pm - 9pm

Second watch 9pm – 12am

Third watch 12am – 3am

Fourth watch 3am - 6am

Servants in the ancient world were generally of two main types.

a) Slaves – They had few rights but under Jewish law were often treated well.

b) Hired servants – They would work for payment but not belong to a household like a

slave.

The “servants” described in this parable were probably slaves. Their job was to guard and

protect the house. They would be expected to watch and be ready for when their master

returned. The worst thing they could do would be to fall asleep on the job.

Interpretation

This parable speaks to the Christian of the need to be ready and prepared for the return of

Jesus. The simple message of the parable is this – stay awake. This teaching is the first

indication in Luke that Jesus would leave His disciples and then return to them later.

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The idea of having your lamp burning speaks of a preparedness for service. As a worker you

can be ready and prepared to work all day long, but if you don't have the proper equipment

or tools (such as illumination), your readiness doesn't matter at all.

We may also here be reminded that Your word is a lamp to my feet and light to my path

(Psalm 119:105). We may have an inner willingness to serve God (your waist is girded) but

not have the illumination you need to serve Him well (the light of God's word burning

brightly)

The parable reminds us that although we do not know when our Lord will return we are

called to be ready. There will be great rewards for those servants who are ready and waiting

when our Lord returns.


1. What can cause us to fall asleep or not be ready?

2.Why do you think most Christians are not anticipating Christ's return as they should?

3. What does being ready and prepared for Christ's return look like?

8 The Faithful Servant/steward (Luke 12:42-48,

Matthew 24:45-51)

42 And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master

will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?

43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44

Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. 45 But if that

servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the

male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, 46 the master of that

servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is

not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

47 And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do

according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he who did not know,

yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to

whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been

committed, of him they will ask the more.

(Luke 12:42-48)

45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his

household, to give them food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his

master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make

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him ruler over all his goods. 48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is

delaying his coming,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink

with the drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not

looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, 51 and will cut him in two and

appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of

teeth.

(Matt 24:45-51)

Talking points


2.What are the characteristics of a wise and faithful servant?

3. What does the “hour he is not aware of” refer to?


The phrase, “will cut him in two,” most probably refers to receiving a

severe reprimand or punishment. Perhaps even a physical beating. This servant will find

himself demoted or dismissed from his job. He will be disgraced for his behaviour.

Interpretation

This parable presents us with a householder and two servants. The master is set to be absent

for a while and must leave the servant in charge of the household and the other servants.

Jesus gives us with a contrast of behaviour between two servants. One is faithful and

sensible. The other abuses the position and acts as though the master will not return for a

long time.

The master of course is Jesus and the servants are His loyal and devoted followers (us). All

those who are servants of Jesus must be ready for His return, but those who are ministers

among His servants must be all the more ready.

As well as being ready servants who are waiting we are required to be faithful. Those

awaiting Christ's return are to remain, faithful, loyal and obedient. This attitude contrasts

with the disobedient and disloyal servant who abuses his position and acts in an unfaithful

way.

Naturally the parable is warning the second kind of servant and exhorting them to be more

like the first. Another key theme is the concept of reward and punishment. Although many

Christians are reluctant to talk about the matter the bible does talk about rewards for good

and faithful servants (Matt 25:21, Rom 2:6, James 1:12, 1 Cor 2:9).

Jesus is also teaching his disciples that our actions reveal what we truly believe. Those who

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are obeying God will be rewarded, whereas those who disobey God (even if they say they

belong to him) prove themselves to be unfaithful and hypocrites by their actions.

It is just as Paul says in Titus 1:16, "They profess to know God, but they deny him by

their actions."

Jesus also teaches that those who know what is right and choose to do wrong will be

punished more harshly than those who do not know. However, both groups are punished,

and ultimately it's better to know and obey.

Application for today

1 What kind of servant are you?

2 How would you justify your answer to question1?

3 How do your actions show what you truly believe? Think of examples

4 What have you been given responsibility over? Are you wise or foolish in your efforts?

9 Unfruitful Fig Tree (Luke 13:6-9)

6 He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard,

and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 Then he said to the keeper of his

vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find

none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ 8 But he answered and said to

him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9 And if it

bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ ”

(Luke 13:6-9)

Talking points

1 What prompts the telling of this parable? (read Luke 13:1-3)

2 Who is this parable directed to?

3 What are our points of reference?

4 What does the fig tree represent?

5 What might the “last chance” for the tree to produce mean?

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Background

Some "Galileans" had been in Jerusalem offering "sacrifices" at the temple. This may have

been at Passover, since only at that time of year did non-priests offer sacrifices.

Pilate, the Roman governor of the province of Judea, may have killed them beside the altar

in the temple courtyard. However, the figure of speech that Luke used to describe Pilate's

action permits a somewhat looser interpretation. There are no extra-biblical references

to this event. Many of the Jews in Jesus' day believed that tragedy or accident was the

direct result of some personal sin (John 9:1-3). They concluded therefore that the Galileans

who had perished must have been great "sinners." Jesus of course shows them the error of

this thinking. He tells them that everyone needs to "repent" because everyone is

a sinner, all sin brings judgment, and "all" who do not repent "will perish."

The fig Tree

The fig tree (Ficus carica ) is very common in Palestine. Mount Olivet was famous for its

fig trees in ancient times. To "sit under ones own vine and ones own fig tree" became a

proverbial expression among the Jews to denote peace and prosperity. The fig is a pear-

shaped fruit. The young figs are especially prized for their sweetness and flavor. The fruit

always appears before the leaves; so that when Christ saw leaves on the fig tree by the

wayside, ( Mark 11:13 ) he had a right to expect fruit. The usual summer crop of fruits is not

gathered till May or June; but in the sunny valleys of Olivet fig trees could have ripe fruit

some weeks earlier, and it was not strange so early as Easter Christ might find the young

eatable figs, although it was not the usual season for gathering the fruit.

The fig tree was a popular symbol of Israel (Hos. 9:10; Jer. 8:13; 24:1-8; Mic. 7:1).

Interpretation

The moral or meaning of that story is found in Luke 13:3: “Unless you repent, you will

likewise perish.”

The three entities in the story all have clear symbolic significance. The vineyard owner

represents God, the one who rightly expects to see fruit on His tree and who justly decides

to destroy it when He finds none. The gardener, or vineyard keeper who cares for the trees,

watering and fertilizing them to bring them to their peak of fruitfulness, represents Jesus,

who feeds His people and gives them living water. The tree itself has two symbolic

meanings: the nation of Israel and the individual.

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This parable illustrated the need for repentance, but it also drew attention to God's grace

in allowing time for repentance. Jesus was telling the nation of Israel that it's fruit had not

been what God expected. In His grace and mercy God was now giving them a final chance

to bear fruit. This parable should not be confused with the incident in which Jesus cursed a

fig tree (Matt. 21:19; Mark 11:13-14), or the shorter parable He told

about a fig tree (Matt. 24:32).


a) Time is short

The lesson for the individual is that borrowed time is not permanent. God's patience has a

limit. In the parable, the vineyard owner grants another year of life to the tree. In the same

way, God in His mercy grants us another day, another hour, another breath. Christ stands at

the door of each man’s heart knocking and seeking to gain entrance and requiring

repentance from sin. But if there is no fruit, no repentance, His patience will come to an end,

and the fruitless, unrepentant individual will be cut down. We all live on borrowed time;

judgment is near.

b) God looks for fruit.

The fruit of our life shows what kind of person we really are. An apple tree will bring forth

apples, not watermelons. If Jesus Christ has truly touched our life, it will show in the fruit

we bear. This fruit is unlikely to be instantaneous. It may take a while for the fruit to come

forth.

What fruit is God looking for? It certainly has to begin with the fruit of the Spirit,

mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,

longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

1 How does your fruit compare to the fruit of the spirit outlined in Galatians 5?

2 What are the practical implications of knowing that time is short?

3 What is the attitude of most believers today?

10 Sower and Four Types of Soil (Matthew 13:3-8,

Mark 4:3-8, Luke 8:5-8)

3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out

to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and

devoured them. 5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and

they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun

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was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. 7 And

some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. 8 But others fell

on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He

who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

(Matt 13:3-8)

3 “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And it happened, as he sowed, that some

seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it. 5 Some fell on

stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up

because it had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up it was scorched, and

because it had no root it withered away. 7 And some seed fell among thorns; and the

thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. 8 But other seed fell on good

ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold,

some sixty, and some a hundred.”

(Mark 4:3-8)

5“A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it

was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6 Some fell on rock; and as

soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. 7 And some fell

among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. 8 But others fell on

good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.” When He had said these

things He cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

(Luke 8:5-8)

Talking points

1 Who is the parable directed at? (Matt 13:1-3)


3 Who is the sower?

4 What does the seed represent?

5 What do the four different soils represent?


Jesus spoke according to the agricultural customs of His day. In those days, seed was

scattered first and then it was ploughed into the ground.

In this parable the seed fell on four different types of soil.

Parables Study 18

i. The wayside was the path where people walked and nothing could grow because

the ground was too hard.

ii. Stony places were where the soil was thin, lying upon a rocky shelf. On this ground

the seed springs up quickly because of the warmth of the soil, but the seed is unable

to take root because of the rocky shelf.

iii. Among thorns describes soil that is fertile – perhaps too fertile, because thorns

grow there as well as grain.

iv. Good ground describes soil that is both fertile and weed-free. A good, productive

crop grows in the good ground.

Interpretation

In the case of this particular parable Jesus Himself provides an interpretation.

18“Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the

kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away

what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who

received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately

receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For

when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.

22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the

cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes

unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word

and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some

sixty, some thirty.” (Matthew 13:18-23)

Jesus’ explanation of the Parable of the Sower highlights four different responses to the

gospel.

The seed is “the word of the kingdom.”

The hard ground represents someone who is hardened by sin; he hears but does not

understand the Word, and Satan plucks the message away, keeping the heart dull and

Parables Study 19

preventing the Word from making an impression.

The stony ground pictures a man who professes delight with the Word; however, his heart

is not changed, and when trouble arises, his so-called faith quickly disappears.

The thorny ground depicts one who seems to receive the Word, but whose heart is full of

riches, pleasures, and lusts; the things of this world take his time and attention away from

the Word, and he ends up having no time for it.

The good ground portrays the one who hears, understands, and receives the Word and then

allows the Word to accomplish its result in his life. The man represented by the “good

ground” is the only one of the four who is truly saved, because salvation’s proof is fruit

To summarize the point of the Parable of the Sower: “A man’s reception of God’s Word is

determined by the condition of his heart.” A secondary lesson would be “Salvation is more

than a superficial, albeit joyful, hearing of the gospel. Someone who is truly saved will go

on to prove it.”

The principle taught by the parable is this, reception of the word of the kingdom in one's

heart produces more understanding and revelation of the kingdom.


1 What does the parable teach us about evangelism or inviting unbelievers to church?

2 Can you think of examples of people who might fall into each category?

3 What does this parable teach us about “alter calls” or “easy believe-ism?”

4 What is its underlying message regarding how a person comes to faith?

We also might benefit from seeing something of ourselves in all four soils.

1 Like the wayside, sometimes we allow the Word no room at all in our lives.

2 Like the stony places, we sometimes have flashes of enthusiasm in receiving the Word

that quickly burn out.

3 Like the soil among thorns, the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches are

constantly threatening to choke out God’s Word and our fruitfulness.

4 Like the good ground, the Word bears fruit in our lives.

Parables Study 20

11 Wheat and Tares (Matthew 13:24-30)

24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a

man who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while men slept, his enemy came and

sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. 26 But when the grain had sprouted

and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. 27 So the servants of the owner

came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it

have tares?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him,

‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest while you

gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together

until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather

together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into

my barn.” ’ ”

(Matt 13:24-30)

Talking points

1 What are our reference points?

2 What picture does the parable give us of how time is divided? What is the parable pointing

towards?

3 In what phase of this parable are we living in?


In the agricultural society of Christ’s time farmers depended

on the quality of their crops. An enemy sowing weeds amongst a farmer's wheat would have

sabotaged his business.

The weeds (tares) here are probably darnel (Lolium Temulentum), a rye-grass plant related

to wheat and virtually indistinguishable from it until the ears form. The roots would

intertwine with those of the wheat it would only be clear which was which when they

reached maturity. Without modern weed killers, what would a wise farmer do in such a

dilemma? Instead of tearing out the wheat with the tares, the landowner in this parable

wisely waited until the harvest. After harvesting the whole field, the tares could be separated

and burned. The wheat would be saved in the barn.

Parables Study 21

Jesus had previously used the OT idea of harvest to refer to judgement.

37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are

few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

(Matthew 9:37-38)

Interpretation

Again Jesus interprets the parable for us.

36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples

came to Him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.”

37 He answered and said to them: “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.

38 The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are

the sons of the wicked one. 39 The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is

the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. 40 Therefore as the tares are

gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. 41 The Son of Man

will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend,

and those who practice lawlessness, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire.

There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine forth as

the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

(Matthew 13:36-43)

The Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds, or Tares, is filled with spiritual significance and

truth. But, in spite of the clear explanation of the parable that Jesus gave this parable is very

often misinterpreted.

Wrong interpretation

Many commentaries and sermons have attempted to use this story as an illustration of the

condition of the church, noting that there are both true believers (the wheat) and false

Parables Study 22

professors (the weeds) in both the church at large and individual local churches. Whilst true

this is not the correct emphasis to place on the parable.

Right interpretation

While it may be true that the church is a mix of wheat (believers) and tares (unbelievers)

Jesus distinctly explains that the field is not the church it is the world.

In the explanation of parable, Christ declares that He Himself is the sower. He spreads His

redeemed seed, true believers, in the field of the world. Through His grace, these Christians

bear the fruit of the Spirit.

Their presence on earth is the reason the “kingdom of heaven” is like the field of the world.

When Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He meant the spiritual realm which

exists on earth side by side with the realm of the evil one.

When the kingdom of heaven comes to its fruition (Christ's return), heaven will be a reality

and there will be no “weeds” among the “wheat.” But for now, both good and bad seeds

mature in the world.

The enemy in the parable is Satan. In opposition to Jesus Christ, the devil tries to destroy

Christ’s work by placing false believers and teachers in the world who lead many astray.

One has only to look at the latest televangelist scandal to know the world is filled with

professing “Christians” whose ungodly actions bring reproach on the name of Christ. But

we are not to pursue such people in an effort to destroy them. For one thing, we don’t know

if immature and innocent believers might be injured by our efforts.

In addition, we are not to take it upon ourselves to uproot unbelievers because the difference

between true and false believers isn’t always obvious. Tares, especially in the early stages of

growth, resemble wheat. Likewise, a false believer may resemble a true believer. In

Matthew 7:22, Jesus warned that many profess faith but do not know Him.


1 Can you think of examples of “tares” in the world?

2 What should be our attitude and approach to such people/groups?

3 Who alone can determine between the wheat and tares?

Parables Study 23

12 Growing seed (Mark 4:26-29)

26 And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the

ground, 27 and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and

grow, he himself does not know how. 28 For the earth yields crops by itself: first the

blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. 29 But when the grain

ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

(Mark 4:26-29)

Talking points


2 Are there are many cultural context aspects we must understand?

3 Who does the “man” represent?

4 What does the seed represent?

5 What is the most important element in this parable? (clue something to do with the seed)


Today of course most farming is done by the use of modern machinery. In Jesus day farming

was done by hand and sometimes with the help of a beast. When it came to sowing or

scattering the seed the farmer would carry the seed in a basket or in a pouch attached to his

waist. He would then take a handful of seed and throw or scatter the seed with a sweeping

motion of the hand and arm. The seeds would fall on the prepared soil.

After sowing the seed, the farmer would then plow the field again so that the soil would

cover the seed (otherwise the birds would eat the seed). Sometimes the farmer would do this

by dragging branches or a log behind a team of oxen.

The most important grains were barley and wheat. These were the main crops.

Interpretation

Jesus did not explain this parable, as He did some others. Instead, He left it to us to

understand its meaning. Taking the seed to be the Word of God, as in Mark 4:14, we can

interpret the growth of the plants as the working of God’s Word in individual hearts. The

fact that the crop grows without the farmer’s intervention means that can God accomplish

His purposes even when we are absent or unaware of what He’s doing. The goal is the

ripened grain. At the proper time, the Word will bring forth its fruit, and the Lord of the

harvest (Luke 10:2) will be glorified.

The truth of this parable is well illustrated in the growth of the early church: “I planted the

Parables Study 24

seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow” (1 Corinthians 3:6). Just like a farmer

cannot force a crop to grow, an evangelist cannot force spiritual life or growth on others.

To summarize the point of the Parable of the Growing Seed: “The way God uses His Word

in the heart of an individual is mysterious and completely independent of human effort.”

May we be faithful in “sowing the seed,” praying for a harvest, and leaving the results to the

Lord!


1 What do we learn from this parable?

2 How should this affect our thinking in terms of evangelism or sharing the gospel?

13 Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32, Mark 4:30-32,

Luke 13:18-19).

31 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a

mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, 32 which indeed is the least of

all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so

that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”

(Matt 13:31-32)

30 Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable

shall we picture it? 31 It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground,

is smaller than all the seeds on earth; 32 but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes

greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may

nest under its shade.”

(Mark 4:30-32)

18 Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?

19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and

became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.”

(Luke 13:18-19)

Talking points

1. What are our main points of reference?

2. What do they represent?

3. Is it significant that the mustard seed is not the smallest known seed?

Parables Study 25

4. Why do you think some critical scholars have focused on the mustard seed to try and

discredit Christ?

"We are not to suppose that the mustard-seed is the least of all seeds in the world, but it was

the smallest which the husbandman was accustomed to sow, and the 'tree,' when full grown,

was larger than the other herbs in his garden."

Thomson cited in Constable 241


Mustard plant

Mustard is a plant of the genus sinapis. The common mustard of Palestine is the Sinapis

nigra (Black Mustard). It is a pod-bearing, shrub-like plant, growing wild, and also

cultivated in gardens. It was used for its oil and also in herbal medicines. The little round

seeds (about 1mm in size) were an emblem of any small insignificant object. The mustard

plant is not mentioned in the Old Testament; and in each of the three instances of its

occurrence in the New Testament ( Matthew 13:31 Matthew 13:32 ; Mark 4:31 Mark 4:32 ;

Luke 13:18 Luke 13:19 ) it is spoken of only with reference to the smallness of its seed.

This garden herb sometimes grows to a considerable height (10-12 feet), so as to be spoken

of as "a tree" as compared with garden herbs. When grown it would often serve as a

perching or resting place for birds.

Several Old Testament passages use a tree with birds flocking to its branches to illustrate a

kingdom that people perceive as great (Judg. 9:15; Ps. 104:12; Ezek. 17:22-24; 31:3-14;

Dan. 4:7-23)

.

And the bramble said to the trees,

‘If in truth you anoint me as king over you,

Then come and take shelter in my shade;

But if not, let fire come out of the bramble

And devour the cedars of Lebanon!’

(Judges 9:!5)

By them the birds of the heavens have their home; They sing among the branches.

(Psalm 104:3)

A mustard seed.

Parables Study 26

Interpretation

The Gospel of Matthew is the most useful in terms of aiding our interpretation and

understanding of this parable. In Matthew's gospel the is parable is sandwiched between two

others. They each teach on the same subject.

Each of the three parables, “The weeds among the wheat”, “The mustard seed”, and “The

yeast” have six common elements. These help us in providing a structure that we can use to

interpret the individual parables.

The common elements are

1 A similitude about "the kingdom of heaven," the earthly sphere of profession

both true and false

2 “a man,” Christ

3 “a field,” the world;

4 “seed,” the Word of God or its effect;

5 “growth” or “spreading,” church growth

6 The presence of evil, symbolized by weeds, birds of the air, and yeast

Two ways of understanding this parable

The majority opinion

This is well summarised by Adam Clarke, “This parable is a representation of the progress

of the Gospel in the world; and of the growth of grace in the soul.”

We have to have in mind here the Messianic expectation of the Jews. They were anticipating

a kingdom that was powerful and mighty. One that would overthrow their Roman occupiers.

However the “revolution” that Jesus announced was at first tiny.

The picture painted in the Parable of the Mustard Seed by Jesus is of the humble beginnings

of the church or the Kingdom experiencing an explosive rate of growth. When Jesus came

declaring that the kingdom of heaven was "at hand," He began preparations for the

inauguration of the kingdom. He planted the seed. Even though Jesus had a popular

following, He had few disciples who followed Him faithfully. Nonetheless this parable

assured the multitudes that the kingdom would one day be impressively large. It would

grow large and becomes a source of food, rest, and shelter, for both believers and false

professing individuals.

Parables Study 27

Minority opinion

The minority opinion on the meaning of this parable is that it refers to corruption within the

church. The mustard seed plant in this parable grew unnaturally large, and it harbored birds,

which, in the previous parables were emissaries of Satan. In the Old Testament and

especially in the literature of later Judaism shows that birds regularly symbolize evil and

even demons or Satan. This interpretation accurately describes what the kingdom

community became in the decades and centuries after the Christianization of the Roman

Empire. In those centuries the church grew abnormally large in influence and dominion, and

was a nest for much corruption.


1 Do you see a danger with very large churches?

2 What are the pros and cons of very large communities of Christians?

3 What problems do they face?

4 What are some of the issues when the “church” has state like powers or authority?

5 Does the parable teach anything about the role or place of Christians in the world?

14 Yeast or leaven (Matthew 13:33)

33 Another parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a

woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.”

(Matt 13:33)

Talking points

1 What are our reference points?

2 Is the fact that it was a woman mixing significant?

3 Do you think the “three measures is significant?”


Bread was the staple food of Jesus day. It was made either from wheat or if you were poor

from barley. The bread was made not with fresh yeast but by using a piece of old fermented

dough from previous baking. Most people would bake their own bread a home.

Parables Study 28

What is leaven?

Various substances were known to have fermenting qualities; but the ordinary leaven

consisted of a lump of old dough in a high state of fermentation, which was mixed into the

mass of dough prepared for baking.

Meal = Wheat flour

Three portions = The amount needed for a typical family

Leavened = Fermented

Leaven good or bad?

Yeast is often used in scripture to symbolize that which is evil or unclean.

Then He charged them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and

the leaven of Herod.”

Mark 8:15

However on occasion leaven is used described in a more favorable light.

Besides the cakes, as his offering he shall offer leavened bread with the sacrifice of

thanksgiving of his peace offering.

Leviticus 7:13

Here then most commentators think leaven is used in a more positive way.

Interpretation

Again as with the mustard seed parable there are two ways we might interpret this parable.

Majority opinion

This parable stresses the extensive ultimate condition and consequences, of the kingdom,

that would be out of all proportion to its insignificant beginnings. The Kingdom of God

which Jesus announced seemed small and unimpressive to most people. However Jesus was

setting in motion a powerful process (just like leaven in bread) which although hidden at the

time would result in a dramatic outcome.

Minority opinion

In this interpretation we must see the leaven as a picture of sin and corruption. This parable

is to be seen in the context of the of increasing opposition to His work. Jesus is announcing

that His kingdom community would also be threatened by corruption and impurity. The

meal here is the “gospel” or good teaching and the leaven should be seen as false teaching

or some kind of corruption.

Parables Study 29


1 How might we think about the meaning of this parable today?

2 What role should Christians play in the culture?

3 What roles do we play in helping the “yeast ferment?”

Bibliography

Clarke, Adam. "Commentary on Matthew 13:4". "The Adam Clarke Commentary".

https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/acc/matthew-13.html. 1832.

Constable, Thomas L. Notes on Matthew. Sonic Light, 2017.

Wenham, David. The Parables of Jesus. Inter Varsity Press, 1989.

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