He Spoke Many Things He Spoke Many Things Unto Them In ParablesUnto Them In Parables

Matthew 13Matthew 13

Objective:Objective:

• To help class members develop “ears to hear” so To help class members develop “ears to hear” so they can understand how Jesus’ parables apply to they can understand how Jesus’ parables apply to them.them.

Why do we see things Why do we see things differently?differently?

• Individual minds - we are all uniqueIndividual minds - we are all unique

• You get what you are ready for according to the You get what you are ready for according to the Holy GhostHoly Ghost

• ExperienceExperience

• TestimonyTestimony

• Different needs at that timeDifferent needs at that time

What Is A Parable?What Is A Parable?

• From the Bible Dictionary:From the Bible Dictionary:

• The word parable is Greek in origin and means a The word parable is Greek in origin and means a setting side by side, a comparison. In parables setting side by side, a comparison. In parables divine truth is presented by comparison with divine truth is presented by comparison with material things. The Hebrew word, material things. The Hebrew word, mashalmashal, which , which parable is used to translate, has a wider parable is used to translate, has a wider significance, and is applied to the balanced significance, and is applied to the balanced metrical form in which teaching is conveyed in the metrical form in which teaching is conveyed in the poetical books of the Old Testament. See Matt. poetical books of the Old Testament. See Matt. 13:35.13:35.

Why Parables?Why Parables?

• It was to veil the meaning. The parable conveys to It was to veil the meaning. The parable conveys to the hearer religious truth exactly in proportion to the hearer religious truth exactly in proportion to his faith and intelligence; to the dull and his faith and intelligence; to the dull and uninspired it is a mere story, “seeing they see uninspired it is a mere story, “seeing they see not,” while to the instructed and spiritual it reveals not,” while to the instructed and spiritual it reveals the mysteries or secrets of the kingdom of heaven. the mysteries or secrets of the kingdom of heaven. Thus it is that the parable exhibits the condition of Thus it is that the parable exhibits the condition of all true knowledge. Only he who seeks finds.all true knowledge. Only he who seeks finds.

Interpretation of Interpretation of ParablesParables

• (a) Do not force a meaning on subordinate incidents.(a) Do not force a meaning on subordinate incidents.

• (b) Do not regard as parallel parables that are connected by superficial (b) Do not regard as parallel parables that are connected by superficial likeness of imagery.likeness of imagery.

• (c) Bear in mind that the same illustration does not always have the (c) Bear in mind that the same illustration does not always have the same significance--for example, leaven signifies a principle of good as same significance--for example, leaven signifies a principle of good as well as a principle of evil.well as a principle of evil.

• (d) Remember that the comparison in a parable is not complete, does (d) Remember that the comparison in a parable is not complete, does not touch at every point. Thus, the characters of the unjust judge or the not touch at every point. Thus, the characters of the unjust judge or the unjust steward or the nobleman who went into a far country--possibly unjust steward or the nobleman who went into a far country--possibly referring to the infamous Archelaus--do not concern the interpretation of referring to the infamous Archelaus--do not concern the interpretation of the parable. The parable draws a picture of life as it is, not as it ought to the parable. The parable draws a picture of life as it is, not as it ought to be, and compares certain points in this picture with heavenly doctrine.be, and compares certain points in this picture with heavenly doctrine.

• (e) Observe the proper proportions of a parable, and do not make the (e) Observe the proper proportions of a parable, and do not make the episode more prominent than the main line of teaching.episode more prominent than the main line of teaching.

The Parable of The The Parable of The SowerSower

Matthew 13:3-8Matthew 13:3-8

What does this mean?What does this mean?• 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they

seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.understand.

• 14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, 14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

• 15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are 15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.converted, and I should heal them.

• Matthew 13:13-15Matthew 13:13-15

Read Matthew 13:18-23Read Matthew 13:18-23

WaysideWayside

Stony Stony PlacesPlaces

Thorny Thorny PlacesPlaces

Good Good GroundGround

People who hear People who hear but do not but do not understandunderstand

People who People who receive but don't receive but don't allow it to take allow it to take

root.root.

People who hear People who hear but are distracted but are distracted

by the world.by the world.

Hearing, Hearing, understanding, understanding,

doing.doing.

Image SourceImage Source

• Optical Illusion: http://www.all-about-Optical Illusion: http://www.all-about-psychology.com/images/optical-illusions.jpgpsychology.com/images/optical-illusions.jpg