Now we’re ready to look at Matthew 13 and the subject of Jesus’ parables, many of which are found in this chapter. The first is the parable of the sower, which we will begin to look at in the next lesson. But first, a little background is helpful.
The parable of the sower is found in Matthew 13, Mark 4 and Luke 8. To get a better understanding of what had been happening and what leads up to the occasion of Jesus teaching this parable, I recommend you read the paper “This Evil Generation” before you continue, it chronicles some of the events recorded in Matthew 12. Then, later that same day (see Matthew 13:1-3) Jesus began to teach the people in parables.
And, although the number of parables, and in some cases the specific parables themselves, recorded at this point in these three Gospels differ somewhat; there are two things consistent in each account, one is the parable of the sower and the other is a situation that arose between Jesus and his family. So, I want to look at that situation and the events that precipitated it, as I do believe they are directly related to the meaning of the parable.
If you read the paper mentioned above, you know that Jesus had just been engaged in a heated confrontation with the Pharisees. In fact, it was so heated they wanted Him dead (Matthew 12:14, Mark 3:6). The Pharisees were nervous and angry. Large crowds had begun to follow Jesus wherever He went. The religious leaders saw their power and influence over the people slipping away. Jesus was healing and casting out demons. And in the midst of all this excitement and commotion, the question was being asked, “Could this be the Messiah?” (Matthew 12:23) And to make matters worse, Jesus was just on the edge of telling the people what they wanted to hear and what the Pharisees were afraid they were going to hear – that He was the Messiah. He calls Himself the “Son of Man” (literally, “The Son of God Who is a Man”) and says He’s greater than Jonah and greater than Solomon (Matthew 12:40-42).
Now, Jesus’ mother and his brothers and sisters had been traveling with Him (John 2:12) and were there in the crowd (Jesus’ family is described later in this chapter, Joseph had died by this time, but His mother was there with her four sons and three daughters, see Matthew 13:55,56). They saw what was happening; they heard what was being said. They thought Jesus was out of control. As they saw events unfolding, they realized Jesus was not doing anything to diffuse this dangerous situation. Instead, He seemed to be enflaming it. And, they feared for His safety, so much so, they wanted to stop Him before things got totally out of control. This is Mark 3:21.
“And when His family heard what was being said, they went to take Him away, by force if necessary. And they kept saying, He’s out of His mind.”
Let me clarify one thing here. The KJV translates hoi para autou “friends” (“His family” in the translation above). The Amplified Bible correctly says “those who belonged to Him”, a literal translation of hoi para autou. The NIV considers the context and translates it “His family”. This brings us to the situation I mentioned earlier. As I said, it’s found in all three Gospels (Matthew 12:46-50, Mark 3:31-35 and Luke 8:19-21). This is the account found in Matthew.
“And as Jesus continued to talk to the people, His mother and brothers stood outside asking to see Him. Then someone told Him, Your mother and brothers are outside and want to speak to you. But He replied to the man who had said this, Who is My mother and who are My brothers? Then pointing to His followers, He said, Here are My mother and My brothers. For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven, the same is My brother and sister and mother.”
It’s interesting at this point to notice that Jesus experienced rejection from His immediate family. This rejection was predicted in the Old Testament (Psalm 69:8); Jesus Himself reaffirms it (quoting Micah 7:6 in Matthew 10:36, but read verses 32-39); and His family is seen trying to hinder His work (the passages given above, see also John 7:1-10). It is only after His resurrection that His mother and brothers finally join the faithful who gathered together following the Lord’s resurrection (Acts 1:14) and James becomes a prominent figure in the church at Jerusalem (Acts 12:17, 15:13) and the author of the Book of James.
Now, we come to the subject of the parables. There are 48 parables in Matthew. Jesus used many of them to teach different aspects of the Kingdom of Heaven. Some illustrate various characteristics of the Kingdom itself, others point out either good or bad qualities found in those who inhabit the Kingdom.
The English word “parable” comes from the Greek parabole, and means comparison. Jesus used parables to illustrate truth and clarify it by comparing it to things familiar to those listening. However, it is evident that, even though the illustrations were familiar, the spiritual truths were not apparent to all who heard them.
This is why the disciples came to Jesus in Matthew 13:10 and asked Him why He used parables instead of speaking more directly to the people. The following is Jesus’ answer (my contextual expansion of Matthew 13:13-18):
“Then after Jesus had finished the story about the sower, the seeds and the different kinds of soil, the disciples came and asked, Why do you speak to the people in stories that are hard to understand? And this is how He answered, You are given insight into the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but this is not for everyone. Only those who have a willing heart, a real desire to know God, will be given this understanding, and they will receive a rich abundance. But these people aren’t looking for God. They came to see miracles. They’re looking for excitement - they want to be entertained. So, what little insight they might gain from listening to Me tell them stories will soon be forgotten, because that’s not what they’re interested in. And that’s why I do it. They have eyes like you, they see the same things you see; and they have not recognized Me. But you have. They have ears, too. They hear the same things you hear; and they don’t understand what I’ve said. But you do. Don’t you see the difference? The more you know, the more you want to know. But, this is all going right over their heads. Isaiah said it best, Your ears aren’t plugged, you can hear just fine; but you pretend not to understand, because you don’t want to. And your eyes are wide open, you can see everything clearly; but you act as though you don’t see anything at all, because it’s too convicting. These people don’t want to face the truth. They’ll cover their ears, so they can’t hear; and they’ll shut their eyes as tight as they can, so they can’t see. Why? Because, they don’t want their sin exposed! They don’t understand the Father only wants them to repent, so He can heal them. But, they won’t - they love their sin too much. But, good for you! You want to see everything and hear everything. You want to know all you possibly can about God. The truth is, there have been many prophets and other good men who have longed to see what you’re seeing and hear what you’re hearing; but they couldn’t, because it wasn’t time. Now, let me explain the story about the sower, the seeds and the different kinds of soil. I want to make sure you understand it completely.”
Consider what Jesus is saying here and compare it to our discussion in Lessons 110 and 111 regarding the common misconception of the meaning of Matthew 11:12.
In the next lesson we’ll begin a comprehensive look at the parable of the sower.