New Testament Parables
1. Topic: Parables of Jesus in the Gospels. Mt 13:10-15, Mk 4:10-12, Lk 8:9-10 (The Purpose of Parables); Mt 13:31-32, Mk 4:30-32, Lk 13:18-19 (The Parable of the Mustard Seed); Mt 25:14-15 (The Parable of the Talents); Mk 13:33-37 (Need for Watchfulness); and Lk 19:12-13 (The Parable of the Ten Gold Coins). 2. Context: The context for Matthew's parables is that they come right after the section on mounting hostility to Jesus and his mission (in which Jesus establishes that every one of His followers and who does the will of God is his brother and sister) and right before more of Jesus' miracles and teachings outside Galilee. In Mark's Gospel, the preceding is the same, but it is followed by more works in Galilee. Luke's parables also follow the telling of Jesus' works and miracles. They are followed by His journey to Jerusalem. 3. Relevant Footnotes: Matthew 13:11 - A parable is figurative speech and there is more to it than just the story. One has to reflect on the story to understand its meaning. God grants the gift to understand to his disciples but not to the crowds. This fulfills Isaiah's prophecy. Matthew 13:31-33 - This illustrates how small the kingdom of God starts out with the preaching and healing ministry of Jesus, an
Further, we must never become obsessed with earthly things and never forget God. However, Matthew's view or interpretation is much subtler. Be on the Watch - Jesus does not know exactly the day of the Second Coming or the end of the world, for some things are still left up to His Father. The kingdom of God starts as something very small but will end with the following and gathering of many nations. He does not say that it is Jesus' purpose to confuse the crowds or keep the meaning hidden. Everyday we must be ready to meet God face to face, and that life is simply preparation for this. So Jesus spoke in parables because common, outsider, men could not see the truth in any other way. In other words, we should try to be sin free at all times, because we do not know when it is our time to go on to our next life, either in heaven, hell, or purgatory. It shall put forth branches and bear fruit, and become a majestic cedar. Mark 4:11 - The reason for Parables, in Marks' view, is so the commoner, or disbelieving crowd, will not understand the meaning and teachings of Christ, but only his disciples will, who interpret it and can understand because of their faith. Matthew 25:14 - The interpretation is that one who uses his gifts wisely will see the kingdom, but laziness will lead to exclusion. This originally meant to the New Testament society, "something which was unintelligible to the outsider but crystal clear to the man who had been initiated" (Barclay). Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it, every winged thing in the shade of its boughs.
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Acceptance Essays
