Studies in the Parables

Bob Ganote

Matthew 13:33

Summary: A casual reading might conclude that there are 8 parables in Matthew 13, however there are only seven.

1. The parable of the Sower begins in verse three, but is more fully explained in verses18-23.
2. The parable of the Tares begins in verses 24-30 and is more fully explained in verses 36-43.
3. The parable of the Mustard Seed is put forth in verses 31-32.
4. The parable of the Leaven in the meal is spoken in verse 33.
5. The parable of the Treasure hidden in the field is found in verse 44.
6. The parable of the Pearl of great price is discussed in verses 45-46.
7. The parable of the (Drag) Net in verses 47-50, and concludes the teaching in parables in Matthew 13.

 Three Characteristics of parables:

1. They are Parabolic in Their presentation. The use of Metaphors and similes can be seen throughout the seven.
   • Sower – Is Jesus Christ [verse 37] through His Church — Ephesians 4:11-14 “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets ; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.”
   • The Tares – the counterfeit professor of Christ but in truth the product of the devil’s seed. The tares grow together with the wheat and appear the same, but by the time of the harvest when both come to full growth, the tare is revealed for what it is, which is totally incompatible with the wheat, therefore gathered into bundles and thrown into the furnace. 
   • The Mustard Seed – speaks to the growth of the Godly Kingdom of Christ throughout the ages. May also mean the birth and growth of the Body of Christ.
   • The Leaven – Metaphorically, the evil intrusion into the church of God. The Woman, the leaven, the three measures of flour, the whole of the lump.
   • The Treasure hidden in the field – the Elect of God.
   • The Pearl of Great Price – Jesus Christ.
   • The Drag Net – the final gathering of all peoples as fish in a net, some of value and profit to the Master, some of no value or profit to the Master. 
2.  They are somewhat Prophetic in character. That is they speak not only of the present but of the future as well. Especially considered in verses 4043; 47-50. 
3. They are Problematic in Interpretation. Seen through many eyes in many different ways. However, when Jesus asked the disciples have you understood all these things, They replied, Yea, Lord.

Verse 52 might be considered as another parable, then making 8 when Jesus closed his teaching of the parables and should always be considered, if not a parable, teaching worth its weight in gold. He said unto them,’ Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.’

A scribe is not allowed to editorialize what he is responsible to record. He is charged with copying exactly what is laid before him – word for word without the changing of one jot or tittle.

The householder may indeed be a pastor, teacher, or any Christian who have been given the privilege of sharing the treasure, the Word of God, with all men.

We are in a sense “scribes” and every one of us is charged with proclaiming the gospel as it was given by the inspiration of God.

The “New” and the “Old” may be fairly interpreted as the New Testament and the Old Testament, however we should not make too much of this possibility. 

                We have to a small degree studied Parable One – The Sower of the good seed, and Parable Two, the tares the bad seed sown by the enemy, the devil, and we even touched on the mustard seed which we believe to be concerning the Church of God and its growth from its birth to its full growth where many birds will gather. Even here interpretation may be allowed.

                If the mustard seed in verses 31-32 represents the church of God which continues to grow from the smallest of seed into the largest of the herbs [not a tree, but a very large bush resembling a tree in size], the birds may be taken two ways: 1. sinners who have fled for refuge from the sinful world to the branches of the Church and there find eternal safety, or, 2. May be taken as birds of prey [birds are often used this way] of the unregenerate  population that find the church of God a comfortable place to create division, promote false doctrine, and regard themselves as prominent members.  

                Today, I want to take a few minutes to discuss with you the Parable of the Leaven hidden in the meal. 

Verses 33 Another parable spake he unto them; the kingdom of heaven is likened unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

                Let’s as they say, “unpack” this verse and explore its contents: 

1. Consider the leaven – The Jews who knew their history as revealed to them in what we have come to call the ‘Old’ Testament were fully aware of the use of metaphors even if they did not understand the implication in the manner which our Lord taught them. They knew for example that leaven primarily stood for evil.
2. While they may not have fully grasped the correlation between the metaphor and the lesson within the parable, they nevertheless recognized the metaphors:
   • Sowing seed
   • Planting seed on various types of soil
   • Tares or Darnals
   • Mustards seeds
   • Birds nesting
   • Leaven
   • Treasure hidden in field
   • Pearl of great price
   • Drag nets
3. What is the purpose of “leaven”?
4. Who is the “woman”?
5. What is meant by the word “hid”?
6. What do the “three measures of meal” represent?
7. What is the meaning of the statement the “whole was leavened?

Granted, this parable is short and not as full illustrated as the others, but to overlook the possible meanings would be a mistake.

1.  
   • Let’s establish that the Lord never contradicts Himself.
   • Let’s establish that the Lord never speaks to, as my Mother used to say when someone talked too much, “hear his head rattle.”
   • Let’s establish that “every word of God is inspired and profitable.” 2 Timothy 3:16
   • Let’s established that Jesus’ words were the words of God.

If these things are established then it follows that we are to consider His words and take them as meaningful to our growth in grace and knowledge.