Presents
Matthew #2530
Jesus Christ told His disciples that He spoke in parables for two reasons.
Presents
Matthew #2530
Jesus Christ told His disciples that He spoke in parables for two reasons.
Jesus Christ told His disciples that He spoke in parables for two reasons (Mat. 13:11):
We also learned that He spoke in parables because He loves all of God's children and wishes to protect those of free-will who do not yet have "the love of the truth". You see, if and when they are ready in this flesh age to truly "believe in Jesus Christ", they will become disciples of His Word and go to Him privately through that Word to ASK for wisdom and understanding... "and it shall be given unto them"! They will turn to Him and they will "seek and they shall find"! They shall "knock" and the door to life shall be opened unto them and they shall receive the key of David which unlocks the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus Christ is that door and the One who holds the key (John 10:9, Rev. 3:7) "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.) In other words, they will become doers of the Word and not hearers only (Rom. 2;13, James 1:22 ) and they will obey His commands because they love Him (John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments.") and His Word shall become more precious to them than anything this earth age has to offer.(1) To simplify and make easy to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven to His disciples, those who discipline themselves in His Word.(2) To hide the mysteries of the kingdom from those who do not seek Him and therefore do not have eyes to see nor ears to hear.
So if you are ready and have your eyes open and your ears to hear on and in place, then we are all set to learn one of the great mysteries of the "kingdom of heaven" which begins with a parable spoken from the mouth of the Lord. Hear ye! Hear ye!
The subject of this parable is the kingdom of heaven which begins with the sowing of good seed.Matthew 13:24
Another parable put He forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
Notice first that once the enemy sowed "tares" among the wheat... he went his way! The next thing we need to learn is "What are "tares"? For that answer we need to turn to the horticulture of "tares" which we discover is called zizanion (dziz-an'-ee-on) in Greek (#2215) which means "darnel" or false grain :- tares. Here is Dr. Smith's explanation (emphasis ours):[25] But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
Tares: A noxious plant, of the grass family, supposed to mean the darnel. It grows among the wheat everywhere in Palestine, and bears a great resemblance to it while growing - so closely that, before they head out, the two plants can hardly be distinguished. The grains are found, 2 or 3 together, in 12 small husks, scattered on a rather long head. The Arabs do not separate the darnel from the wheat, unless by means of a fan or sieve, after threshing (Mat. 13:25-30). If left to mingle with the bread, it occasions dizziness, and often acts as an emetic. ("Smith's Bible Dictionary", A. J. Holman Company, pg. 301.)So we have a field in which both good seed and bad seed were sown and grow together. Do not forget that the Greek word used here for seed is not the same as the one which was used symbolically to represent the Word of God prior to verse 24. This Greek word is "sperma"! Also, it is important to note that only a trained person can distinguish a toxic tare from a true wheat plant while they are growing together in the field, i.e. while the blade is springing up. However, at harvest time when the fruit appears the two are easily distinguishable one from the other! That makes sense because we know that when we examine fruit we then know what kind of tree or plant produced it.[26] But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
That is why it is written: "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them (Mat. 7:20)."
Now suppose you ARE a trained person and you can tell the difference between the tares and the wheat and you know they have been sown in the field. What should you do about it? Well, even though your first inclination is probably to go root up the tares, as a wise servant of the householder you would surely not take it upon yourself to go meddling in the field with your own solution to the problem without first going to the householder to see how he wants to handle it, would you? Hopefully not for in this case if you rooted them up you would be working against the will of the householder. Wisdom would dictate that you go to him first and ask him what you should do about them?The bearded darnel (Lolium temulentum) is a poisonous grass, almost indistinguishable from wheat while the two are only in blade, but which can be separated without difficulty when they come into ear (cp. mat. 13:29, 20). ("Davis Bible Dictionary", Baker Book House, pg. 759.)
We see that the "servants" of the householder knew there were tares, toxic look-alike false wheat plants, in the field![27] So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
Hmmm, it seems the sowing of the tares was the deliberate covert activity of the enemy. Again, one's first thought might be to rush out and pluck up those suckers. However, when the servants went and ask the householder if they should go and gather them up (which was what they were inclined to do), here is His direct answer... "NO"! So take an object lesson from this and remember to first learn the plan of God, His will, and then do things His way or He might just have to find another servant who is willing to do so![28] He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
Let the tares alone! Remember this well, for when we learn who the tares represent, then the literal application of this instruction will be evident. Now here is the householder's further instruction concerning the tares.[29] But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
Let them alone "until the harvest" ( the end of this earth age when Christ returns) lets us know that this instruction is given even to this final generation and applies right now as well as in the future. So make no mistake about it! The will of the householder is that we "Leave the tares alone!" All we still need to learn yet is what or who the tares represent. So hang in there because we are about to learn the mystery, which is actually the simple meaning, of the parable of the tares as it relates to God's Plan in the kingdom of heaven. Again, it cannot be emphasized enough that what we have just read so far from Mat. 13:24-30 is only a parable, which if you recall is "a truth expressed in similitude using symbols with characteristics analogous to something else". And most Christians, who comprise the multitudes today, do not understand this parable for as we shall see when we get to verse 34, its "secret" has been kept just that, secret (hidden) from the "foundation of the world"! And so it is to this day that because the multitudes are Biblically illiterate and are therefore not "trained" in the Word of God as disciples (students) of Christ, they cannot tell the difference between a tare and a wheat plant.In fact, they do not even know of the sowing of the "sperma" that has taken place in the field![30] Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Jesus Christ will now "put forth" (paratithemi) two more parables (another* parable) concerning the kingdom of heaven (i.e. the plan thereof) before He sends away the multitudes unto whom He is speaking! Let's dig up the Greek word translated "put forth" and understand what precious truths (food) these parables are that He entrusts to His disciples.
* Note: See the structure on page 1336 in The Companion Bible regarding the three "another parables".put forth, paratithemi, par-at-ith'-ay-mee, Greek 3908; from Greek 3844 (para) and Greek 5087 (tithemi); to place alongside, i.e. present (food, truth); by implication to deposit (as a trust or for protection) :- allege, commend, commit (the keeping of), put forth, set before.
These next two parables give us additional insight into how the kingdom of heaven works and what to expect.
Never underestimate the potential of a "seed" you plant. Even a tiny mustard seed, which is the smallest of the herb seeds, can germinate and grow as great as a tree in stature! However, you had better expect the "dirty birds" of prey, Satan's own, to come roost in the branches thereof for they always seek to lodge in the highest branches. Take that old te'ashshur (box-cedar) in Ezekiel 31:3 who became exalted above all the trees of the field. You'll find those same dirty birds nesting in his boughs.[31] Another parable put He forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
So take heed to those things which start out small, for even a small ministry, a single individual who plants a tiny seed of His Word, can become as a tree in God's sight, i.e. one who bears good fruit. BUT beware of the "birds" Satan will send to come and try to roost in the branches.Ezekiel 31:5
Therefore his height was exalted above all the trees of the field, and his boughs were multiplied, and his branches became long because of the multitude of waters, when he shot forth.[6] All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations.
Now hear this... if you have ears to hear.Matthew 13:32
Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
Whereas in the case of the mustard seed, a man took and sowed it, in this case concerning the fine wheat flour (meal), it was a woman (wife) who took the leaven and hid it in "3" measures of meal, 'till the whole was leavened. Here is the Greek word for woman:Matthew 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
Are you familiar with the 3 earth ages spoken of in 2 Peter 3, i.e. the world that then was (vs. 6), the heaven and earth age which are now (vs.), and the new heavens and new earth (age) to come (vs. 13)? Do you know that these three earth ages (aions) are "fitly joined together" in the Plan of God to bring about salvation? Yes, of course it is not commonly taught. These things "put forth" by Christ have been kept secret, hidden to blind eyes that cannot "see" and deaf ears that cannot "hear", since the foundation of the world. In fact, the knowledge of the three earth ages is essential to faith and is the very first thing Paul talks about in the 11th chapter of Hebrews which is often called the "faith chapter"! Hebrews 11:3 "Through faith we understand that the worlds [aions, meaning earth ages] were framed [perfectly joined together] by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."woman, gune, goo-nay', Greek 1135; probably from the base of Greek 1096 (ginomai); a woman; specially a wife :- wife, woman.
Nevertheless, the plan is that God uses His elect among the wheat (in all three measures, in all earth ages) to bring forth the knowledge of His Word. Interestingly enough, Christ called the sons and daughters of these last days who would see the visions of the prophets and teach them (Acts 2), who are also those same servants who comprise the church of the brothers and sisters (Philadelphia, Rev. 3) along with Smyrna (Rev. 2), "seed" when He quoted the 22nd Psalm while hanging on the cross:
The "seed" of the final generation are His sons and daughters (seed, offspring) who serve Him. They are not of this world, but rather of the kingdom of heaven! (You "see", they do His will! Remember Mat. 12:50?) John 17:16 "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." And they are here among the wheat!Psalm 22:30-31
A seed shall serve Him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.
Looks like they do some sowing of His Word, doesn't it? And soon the whole earth shall be leavened with His righteousness! What a magnificent plan our Father has prepared for the children He loves so much.[31] They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.seed, zera`, zeh'-rah, Hebrew 2233; from Hebrew 2232 (zara`); seed; figurative fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity :- × carnally, child, fruitful, seed (-time), sowing-time.
Not only has He already "uttered" (spoken out, put forth) things that have been kept secret from the foundation of the world, He is going to explain in detail the parable of tares, and that parable for sure has been hidden like a fig from the eyes of the multitudes that cannot "see".By the way, Christ quoted from the 78th Psalm in verse 34 & 35.Matthew 13:34
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake He not unto them:[35] That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
Here is that Psalm.
Open your ears to His Word! Won't you do that? Stop listening to the traditions of men and learn the magnificent, rich wisdom, contained in the parables of the Kingdom of Heaven. He has shed His light and they are now only dark sayings (difficult to understand) to those who walk in darkness, apart from the light which is His Word.Psalm 78:1
Maschil of Asaph.
Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
He has foretold us all things (Mark 13:23). In other words, it is all written and told to us in the personal letter He has sent to us from above, the Word of God![2] I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:[3] Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.
This is the generation that is privileged to understand those things which have been "Hidden"![4] We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
A "seed' shall serve Him in the final generation (Ps. 22:30).[5] For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:[6] That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:
"Harden not your heart" as did our fathers in the wilderness.[7] That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, butkeep His commandments:[8] And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.
Let us return to Matthew 13 and notice what happens next as Jesus sends the multitude away and goes into the house. Only those eager-to-hear-and-hungry-to-know-His-Word disciples, His family, follow Him "into the house" and ASK HIM to "explain the parable of the tares of the field"! The multitudes were dismissed and they went away probably saying something like, "Wasn't that a lovely sermon today?"
Jesus granted their request to seek knowledge from the Living Word of God and He answered and EXPLAINED the parable! Therefore, what we are going to read next {#2531}will NOT BE A PARABLE! It will be the simple EXPLANATION of the parable by Jesus Christ to His disciples who want to KNOW the meaning therefore. Since it "has been kept secret since the foundation of the world" I'm sure you will want to "hear" what He has to say as He explains each and every symbol used in the parable.Matthew 13:36
Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
| Symbol |
|
| The Sower |
|
| The Field | ? |
| The Good Seed | ? |
| The Tares | ? |
| The Enemy | ? |
| The Harvest | ? |
| The Reapers | ? |
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