Matthew 13 – A Collection of Parables

Matthew 13 is a collection of seven parables, all of which, except the first, begin with the phrase, “The kingdom of Heaven is like …”. Jesus explained two of them to His disciples. And He also explained to them why He taught in parables.

The parable of the soils describes four different ways that people respond to the gospel. Some reject it out of hand. Others accept it until trouble comes. Others accept it until the world gets them back. And still others received it gladly and are fruitful.

The parable of the weeds pictures the children of the kingdom living among the people of this world. Until the judgment time when they are separated. The one will be burned up while the other will shine like the sun in the Father’s kingdom.

The parables of the mustard seed and the yeast both express that the kingdom of heaven starts small, but it grows and impacts everything it comes into contact with.

The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price both express the value of the kingdom. It is worth giving up everything else to be part of it.

The parable of the net looks ahead to the judgment. This parable is looking primarily at the unrighteous. They will be separated from the righteous and cast into a blazing furnace.

The explanation Jesus gave for speaking in parables seems strange on the surface. It is to hide the truth that the parables are conveying from people. But not all people. The disciples, and others who follow Jesus, are enabled to know those truths. But Jesus was not going to share them with those who had not first committed themselves to Him and been filled with the Spirit. The Spirit who enables us to understand spiritual truths.

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