A SUMMARY OF THE PARABLES
PARABLE OF THE SOWER (Matt. 13:3-23)
Jesus Himself interpreted the parable of the sower saying that the word that was sown is the “word of the kingdom” (Matt. 13:19). Then He gave the different responses that it received. Satan prevented some from responding, while others allowed the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches, the pleasures of this life, or the lust of other things choke the word so it became unfruitful. But the word was fruitful in a small minority.
PARABLE OF THE SEED (Mark 4:26-29)
Only Mark records the short parable of the seed which demonstrated how the word of the kingdom of God would be received. Like a seed, it was planted by John the Baptist, Jesus and the disciples; but it did not bring forth an immediate response of the literal kingdom. When a seed is planted in a garden, it may appear to be dead for it is hid from sight, but after a period of time, when conditions are right, it will germinate and break through the soul, gradually developing until it ripens. The simple teaching of the parable is that after the word of the kingdom is proclaimed there will be a period of time before there are any visible responses but it will grow to maturity as prophesied.
PARABLE OF THE TARES (Matt. 13:24-30; 36-43)
Charles Ryrie points out that, except for the first, each of the seven kingdom of heavens parables begins with the phrase, “The kingdom of heaven is like,” He says, “Literally, “The kingdom of the heavens became like unto…” in his book: The Basis of the Pre- millennial Faith, pg. 94. The status of the kingdom had changed. Jesus the Messiah-King, had offered the kingdom to Israel. John the Baptist, Jesus and Jesus’ disciples had been preaching that the kingdom of heaven was at hand, and now, because of rejection, its present status is illustrated in parables.
Jesus identifying Himself as the One who sows the good seed, says the field is the world, the devil sows the bad seed, the harvest is the end of the age, and the angels will be executors of this judgment. The good seed is the sons of the kingdom, the ones who will inherit it. The wicked will be removed and judged; their judgment is explained in more detail in the other parables and in the Olivet discourse.
PARABLES OF THE MUSTARD SEED AND THE LEAVEN (Mark 4:30-32; Matt. 13:31-35; Luke 13:18-21)
The parables teach that the kingdom began in a very small way with the announcement of one man, John the Baptist (Luke 16:16), but it will eventually grow into a mighty kingdom of Christ. It continues the teaching of the little parable of the seed, which is directly related to the dream of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 2 as it talks about a stone cut out of the mountain without hands: “And the stone that smote the image became a great mountain , and filled the whole earth” (vs. 35, 44).
Even as it takes a tiny seed to grow, it takes time for leaven to spread through the doug, and it will take time from the announcement of the kingdom until “leaven” which usually symbolize evil in Scripture to permeate the entire dough. A study of the first three chapters of Revelation will show how the Church will deteriorate into what’s typified in the Laodicean Church:
Rev 3:17
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
KJV
That’s exactly where the Church is today. I plead with Christians to take the counsel of the next verse:
Rev 3:18
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
KJV
It is such a sad state of affair that God is seeking entry into the Church that He purchased and is being prevented:
Rev 3:20
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
KJV
It is a worthwhile plea, do heed to this call and receive the promise:
Rev 3:21-22
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
KJV
PARABLE OF THE SOWER (Matt. 13:3-23)
Jesus Himself interpreted the parable of the sower saying that the word that was sown is the “word of the kingdom” (Matt. 13:19). Then He gave the different responses that it received. Satan prevented some from responding, while others allowed the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches, the pleasures of this life, or the lust of other things choke the word so it became unfruitful. But the word was fruitful in a small minority.
PARABLE OF THE SEED (Mark 4:26-29)
Only Mark records the short parable of the seed which demonstrated how the word of the kingdom of God would be received. Like a seed, it was planted by John the Baptist, Jesus and the disciples; but it did not bring forth an immediate response of the literal kingdom. When a seed is planted in a garden, it may appear to be dead for it is hid from sight, but after a period of time, when conditions are right, it will germinate and break through the soul, gradually developing until it ripens. The simple teaching of the parable is that after the word of the kingdom is proclaimed there will be a period of time before there are any visible responses but it will grow to maturity as prophesied.
PARABLE OF THE TARES (Matt. 13:24-30; 36-43)
Charles Ryrie points out that, except for the first, each of the seven kingdom of heavens parables begins with the phrase, “The kingdom of heaven is like,” He says, “Literally, “The kingdom of the heavens became like unto…” in his book: The Basis of the Pre- millennial Faith, pg. 94. The status of the kingdom had changed. Jesus the Messiah-King, had offered the kingdom to Israel. John the Baptist, Jesus and Jesus’ disciples had been preaching that the kingdom of heaven was at hand, and now, because of rejection, its present status is illustrated in parables.
Jesus identifying Himself as the One who sows the good seed, says the field is the world, the devil sows the bad seed, the harvest is the end of the age, and the angels will be executors of this judgment. The good seed is the sons of the kingdom, the ones who will inherit it. The wicked will be removed and judged; their judgment is explained in more detail in the other parables and in the Olivet discourse.
PARABLES OF THE MUSTARD SEED AND THE LEAVEN (Mark 4:30-32; Matt. 13:31-35; Luke 13:18-21)
The parables teach that the kingdom began in a very small way with the announcement of one man, John the Baptist (Luke 16:16), but it will eventually grow into a mighty kingdom of Christ. It continues the teaching of the little parable of the seed, which is directly related to the dream of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 2 as it talks about a stone cut out of the mountain without hands: “And the stone that smote the image became a great mountain , and filled the whole earth” (vs. 35, 44).
Even as it takes a tiny seed to grow, it takes time for leaven to spread through the doug, and it will take time from the announcement of the kingdom until “leaven” which usually symbolize evil in Scripture to permeate the entire dough. A study of the first three chapters of Revelation will show how the Church will deteriorate into what’s typified in the Laodicean Church:
Rev 3:17
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
KJV
That’s exactly where the Church is today. I plead with Christians to take the counsel of the next verse:
Rev 3:18
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
KJV
It is such a sad state of affair that God is seeking entry into the Church that He purchased and is being prevented:
Rev 3:20
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
KJV
It is a worthwhile plea, do heed to this call and receive the promise:
Rev 3:21-22
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
KJV
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