NEW TESTAMENT - LESSON 11
Matthew 13
Scriptural Highlights
- Jesus presents the parable of the sower and explains his use of parables.
- Jesus explains the parable of the sower.
- Jesus uses parables to teach about the kingdom of heaven on earth (the
Church of Jesus Christ).
A study of this lesson should help us develop "ears to hear"
so they can understand how Jesus' parables apply to them.
Jesus Continues to Travel & Preach With His Friends
- READ LUKE 8:1-3. Jesus travels & preaches
with the Twelve and others.
- Jesus was teaching the "glad tidings of the kingdom".
- He took with him those closest to him.
- The Twelve were in training for the time they would preside over the
work.
- Accompanying the missionary party were women whose lives had been deeply
touched by the Master. They also may have been in training for the service
they would provide.
Jesus Teaches In Parables
- Note: Much of the discussion in this section is based on Elder McConkie's
discussion of parables in Volume 2 of The Mortal Messiah.
- WHAT ARE PARABLES?
- "A parable is a symbolic story that imparts gospel truths by
comparing them to earthly things." (Teachers Manual, p45)
- Bruce R. McConkie: "Parables are short stories which point
up and illustrate spiritual truths. Those spoken by Jesus deal with real
events, or if fictitious, are so consistent and probable that they may
be viewed as the commonplace experiences of many people." (DNTC,
1:283)
- WHY DID JESUS TEACH IN PARABLES?
- Many doctrines are reserved for the faithful.
- Not all people of all ages and under all circumstances are prepared
to receive the fulness of all gospel truths.
- The Lord reveals his truths to men line upon line.
- Parables serve as filters. Based upon one's righteousness, the filter
allows more of the truth to be revealed.
- Parables hide gospel doctrines from those whose hearts are hardened.
- Jesus instructed the Twelve to keep the mysteries to themselves and
not give that which is holy to the dogs. Again, the parable serves as a
filter.
- Parables reveal truths to those whose hearts are open and receptive.
- Bruce R. McConkie: "Yet parables, planted in the minds of truth
seekers, help them remember the issues involved until such time as the
full and plain knowledge parts the parabolic veil and stands revealed for
all to see. And parables form a reservoir of knowledge about which even
the saints can ponder and inquire as they seek to perfect and expand their
limited views of gospel themes." (Mortal Messiah, 2:240)
- Parables are types and shadows of heavenly things.
- McConkie: "They may serve as illustrations of gospel principles;
they may dramatize, graphically and persuasively, some gospel truths; but
is not their purpose to reveal doctrine, or, standing alone, to guide men
along the course to eternal life. Parables can only be understood, in their
full and complete meaning, after one knows the doctrines about which they
speak." (Mortal Messiah, 2:241)
- Parabolic teaching is often an act of mercy.
- D&C 82:3: "...for of him unto whom much is given much is
required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater
condemnation."
- To offer truths to wicked and ungodly creatures, which they will most
assuredly reject, is to do more than cast pearls before swine. It is to
make possible a greater condemnation upon those who reject the greater
light.
- Parables open the door to added light and knowledge.
- Bruce R. McConkie: "Parables are a call to investigate the
truth; to learn more; to inquire into the spiritual realities, which through
them, are but dimly viewed. Parables start truth seekers out in the direction
of further light and knowledge and understanding; they invite men to ponder
such truths as they are able to bear in the hope of learning more. Parables
are a call to come unto Christ, to believe his doctrines, to live his laws,
and to be saved in his kingdom. They teach arithmetic to those who have
the capactiy to learn calculus in due course. They are the mild milk of
the word that prepares are spiritual digestive processes to feast upon
the doctrinal meat of the kingdom." (Mortal Messiah, 2:245)
Parable Of The Sower
- READ MATTHEW 13:3-9. Parable of the sower.
- READ MATTHEW 13:10-13. The Lord's explanation
regarding parables.
- Explanation of the Parable of the Sower:
- In this parable the Lord is talking about the condition of the soil,
not the sower or the seed.
- Four kinds soil:
- The soil by the wayside.
- V18-19: "Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
"When any one heareth the word
of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and
catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received
seed by the way side."
- WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?
- Those who are so hardened by false doctrines and evil deeds that the
word cannot even sprout and begin to grow.
- Bruce R. McConkie: "They are the religionists in our day who
close their ears to new revelation and choose to believe such doctrines
as that men are saved by grace alone, without more, thus leaving them free
to walk in worldliness and still, as they suppose, gain salvation."
(Mortal Messiah, 2:250)
- The soil in stony places
- V20-21: "But he that received the seed into stony places, the
same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
"Yet hath he not root in himself,
but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because
of the word, by and by he is offended."
- WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?
- They who believe the word:
- They know the Book of Mormon is true.
- They have a testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith.
- They have the testimony of Jesus in their souls.
- They do not press forward with a stedfastness in Christ.
- Do not continue to learn the doctrines of salvation.
- Do not pay tithes and offerings or serve the Church.
- Do not endure to the end.
- When persecution, trials, or temptation arise they are unable to bear
them.
- The new plant withers in the bright sun of gospel light.
- The soil where thorns grow.
- V22: "He also that received seed among the thorns is he that
heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of
riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful."
- WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?
- The seed is good and the soil is good.
- They choose to let the thorns and thistles to grow along with the seeds
of righteousness.
- They seek to serve both God and mammon at the same time.
- The cares of the world lead them astray.
- The lusts of the flesh lead believing men astray.
- The Lord is not seeking part time saints.
- The good soil.
- V23: "But he that received seed into the good ground is he
that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit,
and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."
- WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?
- They that hear, understand, endure, bring forth fruit; receive the
word in an honest and good heart, keep the commandments, and bring forth
fruit with patience.
- They will be judged and rewarded according to their works. a:
- Those who keep the whole gospel law shall bring forth an hundred fold
and inherit the fulness of the Father's kingdom.
- Others shall gain lesser rewards in the mansions which are prepared.
Parable of the Wheat & Tares
- READ MATTHEW 13:24-30.
- V36: "Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house:
and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of
the tares of the field.
- Interpretation:
- V37-39: "He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the
good seed is the Son of man;
"The field is the world; the
good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children
of the wicked one;
"The enemy that sowed them is
the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the
angels."
- The field = world = whole world.
- The sower = the Lord = the apostles, missionaries, and members of the
Church.
- The good seed = the children of the kingdom = converts and members
of the Church.
- The tares = children of the wicked one = the carnal and sensual people
who choose a false system of religion because it permits them to gratify
their passions and live after the manner of the world.
- The enemy = the devil.
- WHY DID THE LORD ALLOW THE WHEAT TO GROW ALONG WITH THE TARES?
- There must needs be opposition in all things (see 2 Ne 2:11).
- Joseph Smith: "Now we learn by this parable, not only the setting
up of the Kingdom in the days of the Savior, which is represented by the
good seed, which produced fruit, but also the corruptions of the Church,
which are represented by the tares, which were sown by the enemy, which
His disciples would fain have plucked up, or cleansed the Church of, if
their views had been favored by the Savior. But He, knowing all things,
says, Not so. As much as to say, your views are not correct, the Church
is in its infancy, if if you take this rash step, you will destroy the
wheat, or the Church, with the tares; therefore it is better to let them
grow together until the harvest, or the end of the world, which means the
destruction of the wicked." (TPJS, p97)
- V40-43: "As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in
the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
"The Son of man shall send forth
his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend,
and them which do iniquity;
"And shall cast them into a furnace
of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
"Then shall the righteous shine
forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear,
let him hear."
- Bruce R. McConkie: "The scope and sweep of the message here
revealed is as broad as the earth and as enduring as the ages. The wheat
is now being gathered out from among the tares. Israel is being gathered
into the sheepfold of the Good Shepherd. Messengers from heaven--Peter,
James, and John; Moses, Elijah, and Elias; and all the angelic host who
have restored priesthoods, conferred keys, and given powers to men--have
joined hands with mortals on earth to gather the elect and to seal up the
law and bind up the testimony against those who are to be burned when the
Son of Man comes. Soon the harvest will be fully ripe; the wheat will be
stored in the Lord's barns; the tares will be bound in bundles; and the
burning will commence." (Mortal Messiah, 2:259)
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
- READ MATTHEW 13:31-32. Parable of the mustard
seed.
- WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS PARABLE?
- Parables can have many meanings.
- According to the Prophet Joseph Smith (TPJS, pp98-99) it represents
the Church as it shall come forth in the last days.
- Joseph Smith "Let us take the Book of Mormon, which a man took
and hid in his field, securing it by his faith, to spring up in the last
days, or in due time; let us behold it coming forth out of the ground,
which is indeed accounted the least of all seeds, but behold it branching
forth, yea, even towering with lofty branches, and God-like majesty, until
it, like the mustard seed, becomes the greatest of all herbs. And it is
truth, and it has sprouted and come forth out of the earth, and righteousness
begins to look down from heaven, and God is sending down His powers, gifts
and angels, to lodge in the branches thereof." (TPJS, p98)
Parable Of The Leaven
- READ MATTHEW 13:33. Parable of the leaven.
- WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS PARABLE?
- The mustard seed became a tree that displayed the kingdom of heaven
on earth before the world, but the leaven worked silently, without observation,
unknown to many among men, to establish the plans and purposes of God.
- In this parable we see the glory and triumph of the kingdom in the
hearts of men.
- Bruce R. McConkie: "The leaven of life, the leaven of righteousness,
the leaven of the word of God--the yeast of eternal truth--is 'kneaded'
into the souls of men. Then its spreading, penetrating, lifegiving effect
enlarges the soul and 'raises' sinners into saints." (Mortal Messiah,
2:262)
- WHY DO YOU SUPPOSE USED THREE MEASURES OF MEAL IN THIS PARABLE?
- We don't know, but the Prophet Joseph Smith did state the following:
"It may be understood that the Church of the Latter-day Saints
has taken its rise from a little leaven that was put into three witnesses."
(TPJS, p100)
Parable of Hidden Treasure
- READ MATTHEW 13:44. Parable of hidden treasure.
- WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS PARABLE?
- The gospel is hidden from those whose hearts are not yet prepared,
even though the Church operates openly and its fruits are visible.
- Those of you that were converts probably knew of the Church, but until
your heart was ready the treasure was not exposed.
- The treasure of the gospel seems to be found by chance - a friend exposed
the truth, the missionaries knocked on your door.
- Once the treasure was sufficiently exposed, you were willing to give
up your past to possess this new treasure.
Parable of the Pearl of Great Price
- READ MATTHEW 13:45-46. Parable of the pearl of
great price.
- This parable is much like the previous parable, except:
- Here Jesus speaks of the earnest and devout investigator seeking to
find the truth.
- Once again, after finding the pearl or truth, they are willing to sell
all that they have to possess it.
- Consider the story of Parley P. Pratt:
- He was one searching for the pearl of great price.
- He joined the Campbellite faith because it taught more of the truth
than most of the other religions of the day. He even became a minister.
- But he knew that it was not complete and continued his search for the
pearl.
- After reading the Book of Mormon he knew that he had found the pearl
and gave his all to the Lord's kingdom in order to possess the pearl.
- Except for one brief incident, Parley remained true to the faith and
active in the Lord's service until his murder while on a mission in Arkansas.
Parable of the Gospel Net
- READ MATTHEW 13:47-50. Parable of the gospel net.
- WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS PARABLE?
- The fishers of men cast their net and bring many into the Church.
- Not all join because of a love for the truth or remain faithful.
- Some join or remain due to social pressure.
- Some may join for economic advantage.
- Others join to inherit property, marry selected persons, or gain political
preferment.
- All such shall be cast away with the wicked.
- Bruce R. McConkie: "There are many reasons for coming into
the earthly kingdom of heaven; salvation is a personal matter, and only
those who meet the divine standards will find eternal place and lot with
the saints." (Mortal Messiah, 2:266)
Summary
Though repetitious, I want to conclude with this previously quoted statement
from Elder McConkie, "Parables are a call to investigate the truth;
to learn more; to inquire into the spiritual realities, which through them,
are but dimly viewed. Parables start truth seekers out in the direction
of further light and knowledge and understanding; they invite men to ponder
such truths as they are able to bear in the hope of learning more. Parables
are a call to come unto Christ, to believe his doctrines, to live his laws,
and to be saved in his kingdom. They teach arithmetic to those who have
the capactiy to learn calculus in due course. They are the mild milk of
the word that prepares are spiritual digestive processes to feast upon
the doctrinal meat of the kingdom." (Mortal Messiah, 2:245)
Next Week
Lesson 12: John 5-6; Mark 6:30-44; Matthew 14:22-23
Additional Reading: Matthew 14:1-21; Mark 6:1-29, 45-52; Luke
9:10-17
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Changes last made on: Fri Mar 5 1999