Swartzentrover.com | Fahling - A Harmony of the Gospels - Chapter 12

A Harmony of the Gospels

By Adam Fahling

Chapter 12

Part XII. A Second Preaching Tour, Including the Parables by the Sea

Probably summer and autumn, 28 A.D.

Table Of Contents Matthew Mark Luke John Other
74. The Raising of the Widow's Son at Nain
 
 
Lk 7:11-17
 
 
75 John the Baptist sends two Disciples to Jesus
[Mt 11:2-19]
 
Lk 7:18-35
 
 
76. Woes upon the Cities of Opportunity. "Revealed unto Babes." "Come Unto Me, All that Labor."
[Mt 11:20-30]
 
 
 
 
77. Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman in the House of Simon The Pharisee. Parable Of The Two Debtors.
 
 
Lk 7:36-50
 
 
78. With the Twelve and a Few Women Followers on the Tour Through Galilee
 
 
Lk 8:1-3
 
 
79. The Healing of a Blind and Dumb Demoniac. A Blasphemous Accusation. The Sin Against the Holy Ghost
[Mt 12:22-37]
 Mk 3:20-30
 
 
 
80. Scribes and Pharisees Demand a Sign. The Sign of Jonah
[Mt 12:38-45]
 
 
 
 
81. Jesus is called by Mother and Brethren
[Mt 12:46-50]
Mk 3:31-35
[Lk 8:19-21]
 
 
82. The Parables by the Sea
[Mt 13:1-53]
Mk 4:1-34
Lk 8:4-18
 
 

Back to the Top

74. The Raising of the Widow's Son at Nain
(Lk 7:11-17)
Lk 7:11-17

11It happened soon afterwards, that he went to a city called Nain. Many of his disciples, along with a great multitude, went with him. 12Now when he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, one who was dead was carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. Many people of the city were with her. 13When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said to her, “Don’t cry.” 14He came near and touched the coffin, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” 15He who was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother.

16Fear took hold of all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and, “God has visited his people!” 17This report went out concerning him in the whole of Judea, and in all the surrounding region.

Back to the Top

75 John the Baptist sends two Disciples to Jesus
(Mt 11:2-15, Mk 1:39, Lk 7:18-35)
i. Encomium of the Baptist
[Mt 11:2-15] a

2Now when John heard in the prison b the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples 3and said to him, “Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?”

4Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear,[1] the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.[2] 6Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.”

7As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in king’s houses. 9But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet. 10For this is he, of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’[3] 11Most certainly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptizer; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. 12From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.[4] 13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14If you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come. 15He who has ears to hear, let him hear. c


[1]11:5 Isaiah 35:5

[2]11:5 Isaiah 61:1-4

[3]11:10 Malachi 3:1

[4]11:12 or, plunder it.

Lk 7:18-30

18The disciples of John told him about all these things. 19John, calling to himself two of his disciples, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for another?” 20When the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptizer has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?’”

21In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and to many who were blind he gave sight. 22Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you have seen and heard: that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 23Blessed is he who is not offended by me.”

24When John’s messengers had departed, he began to tell the multitudes about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are gorgeously dressed, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts. 26But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet. 27This is he of whom it is written,

‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,

who will prepare your way before you.’[1]

28“For I tell you, among those who are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptizer, yet he who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he.”

29When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they declared God to be just, having been baptized with John’s baptism. 30But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the counsel of God, not being baptized by him themselves.


[1]7:27 Malachi 3:1

ii. Children playing in the market places
[Mt 11:16-19]

16“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their companions 17and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned for you, and you didn’t lament.’ 18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.[1]


1]11:19 NU reads “actions” instead of “children”

Lk 7:31-35

31[1]“To what then will I liken the people of this generation? What are they like? 32They are like children who sit in the marketplace, and call one to another, saying, ‘We piped to you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned, and you didn’t weep.’ 33For John the Baptizer came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man, and a drunkard; a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35Wisdom is justified by all her children.”


1]7:31 TR adds “But the Lord said,”

Back to the Top

76. Woes upon the Cities of Opportunity. d "Revealed Unto Babes." "Come Unto Me, All that Labor."
(Mt 11:20-30)
Galilee
[Mt 11:20-30]

20Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they didn’t repent. 21“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, you will go down to Hades.[1] For if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in you, it would have remained until this day. 24But I tell you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom, on the day of judgment, than for you.”

25At that time, Jesus answered, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to infants. 26Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight. 27All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and he to whom the Son desires to reveal him.

28“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”


[1]11:23 or, Hell

Back to the Top

77. Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman in the House of Simon the Pharisee. e Parable of the two Debtors.
(Lk 7:36-50)
Galilee
Lk 7:36-50

36One of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered into the Pharisee’s house, and sat at the table. 37Behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that he was reclining in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of ointment. 38Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what kind of woman this is who touches him, that she is a sinner.”

40Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

He said, “Teacher, say on.”

41“A certain lender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42When they couldn’t pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?”

43Simon answered, “He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most.”

He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” 44Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered into your house, and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45You gave me no kiss, but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46You didn’t anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” 48He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49Those who sat at the table with him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

50He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Back to the Top

78. With the Twelve and a few Women Followers on the Tour through Galilee
(Lk 8:1-3)
In Peter's house at Capernaum
Lk 8:1-3

1It happened soon afterwards, that he went about through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of the Kingdom of God. With him were the twelve, 2and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons f had gone out; 3and Joanna, the wife of Chuzas, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others; who served them[1] from their possessions.


[1]8:3 TR reads “him” instead of “them”

Back to the Top

79. The Healing of a Blind and Dumb Demoniac. A Blasphemous Accusation. 
The Sin against the Holy Ghost g
(Mt 12:22-37, Mk 3:20-30)
In Capernaum h
[Mt 12:22-37] i

22Then one possessed by a demon, blind and mute, was brought to him and he healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. 23All the multitudes were amazed, and said, “Can this be the son of David?” 24But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “This man does not cast out demons, except by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons.”

25Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. 29Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man, and plunder his goods, unless he first bind the strong man? Then he will plunder his house.

30“He who is not with me is against me, and he who doesn’t gather with me, scatters. 31Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, neither in this age, nor in that which is to come.

33“Either make the tree good, and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit. 34You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. 35The good man out of his good treasure brings out good things, and the evil man out of his evil treasure[1] brings out evil things. 36I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”


[1]12:35 TR adds “of the heart”

Mk 3:20-30 j

20The multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. 21When his friends heard it, they went out to seize him: for they said, “He is insane.” 22The scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebul,” and, “By the prince of the demons he casts out the demons.”

23He summoned them, and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? 24If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26If Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he can’t stand, but has an end. 27But no one can enter into the house of the strong man to plunder, unless he first binds the strong man; and then he will plunder his house. 28Most certainly I tell you, all sins of the descendants of man will be forgiven, including their blasphemies with which they may blaspheme; 29but whoever may blaspheme against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”30—because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.”

Back to the Top

80. Scribes and Pharisees Demand a Sign. The Sign of Jonah k
(Mt 12:38-45)
In Capernaum. Same day.
[Mt 12:38-45] l

38Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”

39But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, but no sign will be given it but the sign of Jonah the prophet. 40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, someone greater than Jonah is here. 42The queen of the south will rise up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, someone greater than Solomon is here. 43But the unclean spirit, when he is gone out of the man, passes through waterless places, seeking rest, and doesn’t find it. 44Then he says, ‘I will return into my house from which I came out,’ and when he has come back, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 45Then he goes, and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first. Even so will it be also to this evil generation.”

Back to the Top

81. Jesus is called by Mother and Brethren
(Mt 12:46-50, Mk 3:31-35, Lk 8:19-21)
In Capernaum. Same day
[Mt 12:46-50] m

46While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to him. 47One said to him, “Behold, your mother and your brothers stand outside, seeking to speak to you.”

48But he answered him who spoke to him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 49He stretched out his hand towards his disciples, and said, “Behold, my mother and my brothers! 50For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

Mk 3:31-35

31His mother and his brothers came, and standing outside, they sent to him, calling him. 32A multitude was sitting around him, and they told him, “Behold, your mother, your brothers, and your sisters[1] are outside looking for you.”

33He answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34Looking around at those who sat around him, he said, “Behold, my mother and my brothers! 35For whoever does the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.”


[1]3:32 TR omits “your sisters”

[Lk 8:19-21] n

19His mother and brothers came to him, and they could not come near him for the crowd. 20It was told him by some saying, “Your mother and your brothers stand outside, desiring to see you.”

21But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are these who hear the word of God, and do it.”

Back to the Top

82. The Parables by the Sea o
(Mt 13:1-53, Mk 4:1-34, Lk 8:4-18)
Same day. By the Sea of Galilee.
i. Parables
[Mt 13:1-3a] p

 1On that day Jesus went out of the house, and sat by the seaside. 2Great multitudes gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat, and sat, and all the multitude stood on the beach. 3He spoke to them many things in parables, saying, ...

Mk 4:1-2

1Again he began to teach by the seaside. A great multitude was gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat in the sea, and sat down. All the multitude were on the land by the sea. 2He taught them many things in parables, and told them in his teaching,

Lk 8:4

 4When a great multitude came together, and people from every city were coming to him, he spoke by a parable.

ii. The Sower
[Mt 13:3b-9]

 3b ...“Behold, a farmer went out to sow. 4As he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and devoured them. 5Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn’t have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of earth. 6When the sun had risen, they were scorched. Because they had no root, they withered away. 7Others fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and choked them: 8and others fell on good soil, and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty. 9He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Mk 4:3-9

 3“Listen! Behold, the farmer went out to sow, 4and it happened, as he sowed, some seed fell by the road, and the birds[1] came and devoured it. 5Others fell on the rocky ground, where it had little soil, and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of soil. 6When the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. 7Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. 8Others fell into the good ground, and yielded fruit, growing up and increasing. Some brought forth thirty times, some sixty times, and some one hundred times as much.”9He said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.”


[1]4:4 TR adds “of the air”

Lk 8:5-8

5“The farmer went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell along the road, and it was trampled under foot, and the birds of the sky devoured it. 6Other seed fell on the rock, and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7Other fell amid the thorns, and the thorns grew with it, and choked it. 8Other fell into the good ground, and grew, and brought forth fruit one hundred times.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

iii. The Reason Of The Parables
[Mt 13:10-17]

10The disciples came, and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?”

11He answered them, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but it is not given to them. 12For whoever has, to him will be given, and he will have abundance, but whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken away even that which he has. 13Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they understand. 14In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says,

‘By hearing you will hear, and will in no way understand; Seeing you will see, and will in no way perceive: 15for this people’s heart has grown callous, their ears are dull of hearing, they have closed their eyes; or else perhaps they might perceive with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and should turn again; and I would heal them.’[1]

16“But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear. 17For most certainly I tell you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things which you see, and didn’t see them; and to hear the things which you hear, and didn’t hear them.


[1]13:15 Isaiah 6:9-10

Mk 4:10-12

10When he was alone, those who were around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. 11He said to them, “To you is given the mystery of the Kingdom of God, but to those who are outside, all things are done in parables, 12that ‘seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest perhaps they should turn again, and their sins should be forgiven them.’”[2]


[2]4:12 Isaiah 6:9-10

Lk 8:9-10

9Then his disciples asked him, “What does this parable mean?”

10He said, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, but to the rest in parables; that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’[1]


[1]8:10 Isaiah 6:9

iv. The Explanation Of The Parable Of The Sower
[Mt 13:18-23]

18“Hear, then, the parable of the farmer. 19When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom, and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes, and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the roadside. 20What was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the word, and immediately with joy receives it; 21yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22What was sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word, and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit, and brings forth, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.”

Mk 4:13-20

13He said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How will you understand all of the parables? 14The farmer sows the word. 15The ones by the road are the ones where the word is sown; and when they have heard, immediately Satan comes, and takes away the word which has been sown in them. 16These in like manner are those who are sown on the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with joy. 17They have no root in themselves, but are short-lived. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they stumble. 18Others are those who are sown among the thorns. These are those who have heard the word, 19and the cares of this age, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20Those which were sown on the good ground are those who hear the word, and accept it, and bear fruit, some thirty times, some sixty times, and some one hundred times.”

Lk 8:11-15

11Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12Those along the road are those who hear, then the devil comes, and takes away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved. 13Those on the rock are they who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; but these have no root, who believe for a while, then fall away in time of temptation. 14That which fell among the thorns, these are those who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. 15That in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it tightly, and bring forth fruit with patience.

v. The Proper Use Of The Explanation
Mk 4:21-25

21He said to them, “Is the lamp brought to be put under a basket[1] or under a bed? Isn’t it put on a stand? 22For there is nothing hidden, except that it should be made known; neither was anything made secret, but that it should come to light. 23If any man has ears to hear, let him hear.”

24He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you, and more will be given to you who hear. 25For whoever has, to him will more be given, and he who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away from him.”


[1]4:21 literally, a modion, a dry measuring basket containing about a peck (about 9 litres)

Lk 8:16-18

16“No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a container, or puts it under a bed; but puts it on a stand, that those who enter in may see the light. 17For nothing is hidden, that will not be revealed; nor anything secret, that will not be known and come to light. 18Be careful therefore how you hear. For whoever has, to him will be given; and whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken away even that which he thinks he has.”

vi. The Seed Growing Of Itself
Mk 4:26-29

 26He said, “The Kingdom of God is as if a man should cast seed on the earth, 27and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, he doesn’t know how. 28For the earth bears fruit: first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29But when the fruit is ripe, immediately he puts forth the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

vii. The Tares
[Mt 13:24-30]

24He set another parable before them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25but while people slept, his enemy came and sowed darnel weeds[1] also among the wheat, and went away. 26But when the blade sprang up and brought forth fruit, then the darnel weeds appeared also. 27The servants of the householder came and said to him, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where did this darnel come from?’

28“He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’

“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and gather them up?’

29“But he said, ‘No, lest perhaps while you gather up the darnel weeds, you root up the wheat with them. 30Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the harvest time I will tell the reapers, “First, gather up the darnel weeds, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”


[1]13:25 darnel is a weed grass (probably bearded darnel or lolium temulentum) that looks very much like wheat until it is mature, when the difference becomes very apparent.

vii. The Mustard-Seed
[Mt 13:31-32]

31He set another parable before them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field; 32which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches.”

Mk 4:30-32 q

30He said, “How will we liken the Kingdom of God? Or with what parable will we illustrate it? 31It’s like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, though it is less than all the seeds that are on the earth, 32yet when it is sown, grows up, and becomes greater than all the herbs, and puts out great branches, so that the birds of the sky can lodge under its shadow.”

ix. The Leaven r
[Mt 13:33]

33He spoke another parable to them. “The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast, which a woman took, and hid in three measures[1] of meal, until it was all leavened.”


[1]13:33 literally, three sata. 3 sata is about 39 liters or a bit more than a bushel

x. The Parabolic Method
[Mt 13:34-35]

34Jesus spoke all these things in parables to the multitudes; and without a parable, he didn’t speak to them, 35that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying,

“I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.”[1]

[1]13:35 Psalm 78:2

Mk 4:33-34

33With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. 34Without a parable he didn’t speak to them; but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.

xi. Explanation Of The Parable Of The Tares
[Mt 13:36-43]

36Then Jesus sent the multitudes away, and went into the house. His disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the darnel weeds of the field.”

37He answered them, “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, 38the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the children of the Kingdom; and the darnel weeds are the children of the evil one. 39The enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40As therefore the darnel weeds are gathered up and burned with fire; so will it be at the end of this age. 41The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his Kingdom all things that cause stumbling, and those who do iniquity, 42and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be weeping and the gnashing of teeth. 43Then the righteous will shine forth like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

xii. The Hidden Treasure
[Mt 13:44]

44“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found, and hid. In his joy, he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field.

xiii. The Pearl Of Great Price
[Mt 13:45-46]

45“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a merchant seeking fine pearls, 46who having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

xiv. The Parable Of The Net
[Mt 13:47-50]

47“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a dragnet, that was cast into the sea, and gathered some fish of every kind, 48which, when it was filled, they drew up on the beach. They sat down, and gathered the good into containers, but the bad they threw away. 49So will it be in the end of the world. The angels will come forth, and separate the wicked from among the righteous, 50and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.”

xv. The Householder
[Mt 13:51-53]

51Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?”

They answered him, “Yes, Lord.”

52He said to them, “Therefore, every scribe who has been made a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a householder, who brings out of his treasure new and old things.”

53It happened that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed from there. s

   Back to the Top  

Footnotes

a) Transposed.

b) In Prison at Machaerns, a castle east of the Dead Sea, since the early spring of 28 A.D. See No. 50.

c) A proverbial form of speech often used by Jesus after an important utterance, here for the first time.

d) The Lord repeated many of His sayings. See Luke 10:13-16. No. 146.

e) It is futile to make the attempt to identify Simon the Pharisee with Simon the leper and the unknown sinner who anointed Jesus with Mary of Bethany, who anointed Jesus during the Passion week, See No. 212.

f) She is not, we believe, the unknown sinner whose history ends with the previous section, but a new historical figure, whom we shall meet again during Passion week at Jerusalem. See No. 283.

g) See also No. 152. Luke 11:14-28.

h) One of the busy days in our Lord's ministry. Events Nos. 79-85 occurred on the same day. Compare the Sermon on the Mount (Nos. 71 and 72) and the Tuesday of the Passion Week. (Nos. 219-245).

i) Transposed. Beginning of a new section determined by a comparison with Mark and Luke.

j) For connection see Nos. 71 and 73. Now they came back to the house or home, namely, in Capernaum, as in Mark 2:1 (No. 62) to which also the subsequent "again" in 3:1 (No. 68) points back.

k) See Nos. 111 and 153.

l) Transposed, but in order.

m) Transposed, but in order. Immediately following the preceding, "While He yet talked." V. 46.

n) Luke's placing of this parable after the parables by the sea is evidently topical. Compare Luke 8:22. "Now it came to pass on a certain day." It simply happened on one of those days. The "then" in verse 19 may be translated with a simple "and there" (Revised version).

o) There are two other groups of parables. One in Luke only, chapters 14-16. Nos. 175-183. And another group during the last week in Jerusalem, Matt. 21, 22, 24, 25, and parallels. Nos. 222-225; Nos. 239-243.

p) Transposed, but in order.

q) Compare also Luke 13:18-19. No. 165.

r) Compare also Luke 13:20.21. No. 166.

s) Here follows in the order of Luke: Jesus is called by His mother and brethren. Luke 8:19-21. See No. 81. Luke's placing of the incident after the parables by the Sea is evidently topical.

 
 
[ ] Verses marked with brackets indicate that the passage has been taken out of its order.

 

Bible References taken from:
The World English Bible (WEB) is a Public Domain (no copyright) Modern English translation of the Holy Bible, based on the American Standard Version of the Holy Bible first published in 1901, the Biblia Hebraica Stutgartensa Old Testament, and the Greek Majority Text New Testament.