DOCSLIB.ORG

Reading Matthew 13 As a Prophetic Discourse: the Four Parables Presented in Private

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Reading Matthew 13 As a Prophetic Discourse: the Four Parables Presented in Private Page 1 of 7 Original Research Reading Matthew 13 as a prophetic discourse: The four parables presented in private Author: The task of Jesus’ disciples might be to juxtapose ‘new and old’ unconditional prophecies of the 1 Jacob J. Scholtz kingdom of heaven. After describing its setting, the four parables in Matthew 13, presented in Affiliation: private, are considered from a pre-millennial perspective. The parable of the hidden treasure 1Department of Old and New may indicate how Jesus Christ first authenticates and then hides his authority and power to Testament, Stellenbosch rule as King in terms of the Davidic Covenant over the literal Davidic kingdom – before he University, South Africa then goes to the cross. Having been to the cross, the parable of the pearl merchant may show Correspondence to: how the first, spiritual phase of the kingdom commences when Christ Jesus starts his pearl Jacob Scholtz ministry as High Priest in terms of the New Covenant. The parable of the dragnet has in view the transition from the spiritual phase of the kingdom into its future phase. An overview of Email: the four privately given parables of Matthew 13 is then provided. After this a summary of the [email protected] new and old prophecies contained in the eight parables of Matthew 13 is presented, followed Postal address: by the conclusion. 14 Botrivier Street, Protea Valley, Bellville 7530, South Africa ’n Ondersoek na Matteus 13 as ’n profetiese diskoers: Die vier gelykenisse wat privaat Dates: aangebied is. Die taak van Jesus se dissipels sou kon wees om ‘nuwe en ou’ onvoorwaardelike Received: 30 Sept. 2014 profesieë van die koninkryk van die hemele met mekaar te vergelyk. Nadat die konteks Accepted: 13 Feb. 2015 Published: 20 Apr. 2015 beskryf is, word die vier gelykenisse in Matteus 13 wat privaat aangebied is vanuit ’n pre- millenniale perspektief oorweeg. Die gelykenis van die verborge skat sou kon aantoon hoe How to cite this article: Jesus Christus sy gesag en mag om as Koning in terme van die Dawidiese Verbond oor die Scholtz, J.J., 2015, ‘Reading letterlike Dawidiese koninkryk te regeer, eers bevestig en dan verberg – waarna Hy kruis Matthew 13 as a prophetic discourse: The four parables toe gaan. Nadat Hy gekruisig is, sou die gelykenis van die pêrelkoper kon aantoon hoe die presented in private’, In die eerste, geestelike fase van die koninkryk ’n aanvang neem as Christus Jesus sy pêrelbediening Skriflig 49(1), Art. #1887, as Hoëpriester in terme van die Nuwe Verbond begin. Die gelykenis van die net toon die 7 pages. http://dx.doi. oorgang van die geestelike fase van die koninkryk van die hemele na die toekomstige letterlike org/10.4102/ids.v49i1.1887 fase. ’n Oorsig oor die vier gelykenisse van Matteus 13 wat privaat aangebied is, word dan Note: verskaf. Daarna word ’n opsomming van die nuwe en ou profesieë wat die agt gelykenisse This article is based on a van Matteus 13 bevat gegee, gevolg deur die slot. study at the Stellenbosch University (Discipline Group Old and New Testament, Faculty of Theology). Introduction 1 Copyright: With ‘this generation’s’ lack of response to Christ evident even in cities (Mt 11:20−24), the Lord © 2015. The Authors. of heaven and earth hides (ἔκρυψας) ‘these things’ − the mighty works of Christ − from the wise Licensee: AOSIS and learned, but reveals them to little children (11:25; cf. 11:2-6). Shortly thereafter, in Matthew’s OpenJournals. This work is presentation, this theme of concealing and revealing is continued when Jesus discloses − licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution indirectly through parables − things kept secret (κεκρυμμένα) since the foundation of the world License. (13:35; cf. 13:1−53a). As this parabolic discourse in Matthew is concluded, Jesus requires his disciples to understand ‘all these things’ about the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven and to bring forth what is ‘new and old’ (13:11, 51−52). As proposed in the first article about the parables of Matthew 13 (Scholtz 2015), this discourse can be read as a collective presentation (‘all these things’) of unconditional ‘new’ prophecies of the first, spiritual phase of the kingdom juxtaposed with unconditional ‘old’ prophecies regarding the establishment of the future, literal phase of the Davidic kingdom.2 After focusing on the contextual setting, a pre-millennial reading of the four privately given parables of Matthew 13 is presented. Then an overview of the four privately presented parables of Matthew 13 is provided. After this a summary of the new and old prophecies contained in the eight parables of Matthew 13 is given, followed by a conclusion.3 Read online: 1.Further references to the Gospel of Matthew will be indicated only by chapters and verses. Scan this QR code with your 2.This second article of a three-part series about Matthew 13 follows the same theological presuppositions and research focus as smart phone or detailed in the first article (Scholtz 2015). Familiarity with the first article is assumed in the presentation of this second article. mobile device 3.Understanding the prophecies contained in these parables may require the identification of specific, prophetic referents for the to read online. parables of Matthew 13. A person, process or event can be considered a specific, prophetic referent if it significantis to God’s kingdom and redemption purposes. http://www.indieskriflig.org.za doi:10.4102/ids.v49i1.1887 Page 2 of 7 Original Research The setting of Constable (2014:206; cf. Stallard 2000:3−7), this literary structure of Matthew 13 may be proposed: After the four parables spoken in public, the setting changes geographically as Jesus leaves the boat, sends the multitude A. Introduction (13:1-3a) away and goes into the house (13:1−33, 36). The audience B. First parable to all: The parable of the sower (13:3b-9) now comprises only those who have already left all to follow C. Q&A: Purpose (reveal & conceal) & explanation him. The temporal setting, however, remains the same, as (13:10-23) 4 four more parables are given on the same day (13:1, 36, 53a). D. Three parables to all: tares, mustard & leaven Regarding the narrative setting, the ‘story of Jesus is one of (13:24-33) conflict, so that its plot turns on conflict’ (Kingsbury 1992:347). E. Purpose (fulfilment) and Q&A: explanation Moreover, this key motif in Matthew is a conflict over (13:34-43) authority (Turner 2008:44). Whereas Matthew 11 sketches the D.’ Three parables to disciples: treasure, merchant national rejection of Jesus implicitly (cf. 11:20−24), Matthew & dragnet (13:44-48) 12 pictures an explicit rejection and consequent plot to destroy C.’ Explanation and Q&A: Purpose (understanding all) Jesus (12:14). For the first time in Matthew’s story, the conflict (13:49-51) between Jesus and the religious authorities has intensified B.’ Last parable to the disciples: The parable of the to the point where it has become ‘mortal’, a ‘struggle to the householder (13:52) death’ and ‘beyond reconciliation’ (Kingsbury 1992:351−352). A.’ Conclusion (13:53). After the Sabbath controversies, followed by a miracle (12:1- 23), the religious leaders of ‘this generation’ in Israel reject What is so important about Matthew 13:34−43? Firstly, God’s authority when they attribute ‘what is in fact the work the parable of the tares of the field may teach that the first, of God’s Spirit (v. 28) to his ultimate enemy, Satan’ (France spiritual or new phase of the kingdom of heaven can exist in 2007:482). According to Fruchtenbaum (1989:617), this terms of the New Covenant without the literal, future phase unpardonable sin is the ‘national rejection of the Messiahship of the kingdom of heaven having been established in terms of Jesus by Israel whilst he was physically present on the basis of the Davidic Covenant (Scholtz 2015). Thus, the kingdom that he was demon possessed. This sin is unpardonable, and of heaven exists-but-is-not-yet-established. Until the judgment was set.’ The narrative setting of Jesus’ parabolic Messianic kingdom is established, judgement of unbelieving teaching, therefore, comes at a point of crisis: ‘The kingdom ‘tares’ has been postponed and good and evil will co-exist parables, then, were not intended to define the kingdom in until Jesus’ Second Advent. This observation is consistent its offer but to explain the effects of its rejection’ (Beacham with Toussaint’s (1980) understanding of the purpose 1996:232). Luz (2001) argues for the following interpretation of Matthew’s Gospel, namely to explain God’s kingdom of the interruption of the narrative by the parable discourse: programme as it relates to Jesus, to Israel and to the Church: Our thesis is: It condenses and anticipates the story of the entire Gospel Matthew then presents the kingdom program in three aspects. of Matthew in a concentrated form. What will happen in the story First, the earthly literal kingdom was offered to Israel in the of Jesus as a whole is anticipated here and taught to disciples. In person of Jesus, the Messiah, at His first coming. Second, the this sense − and not for formal reasons − the parables discourse kingdom was postponed because Israel rejected its Messiah. is the center of the entire gospel. (p. 295) This postponed kingdom will be established at Christ’s second coming. Third, Christ Jesus is now engaged in building His Regarding the literary structure of Matthew 13, some church, composed of those who in this age are the heirs of the commentators (Nolland 2005:522) propose a triadic structure kingdom. (p. 20) of Matthew 13, but Hagner (2000:364) convincingly argues that no structural analysis can ignore the break at verse 36, A second reason why Matthew 13:34−43 may be exegetically despite the fact that ‘such a division separates the parable of significant is because of the ‘larger development in Matthew’s the weeds from its interpretation.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Parables of Jesus
    THE NEW TESTAMENT PARABLES OF JESUS Year 1– Quarter 4 by F. L. Booth ©2005 F. L. Booth Zion, IL 60099 CONTENTS PAGE PREFACE CHART NO. 1 - Parables of Jesus in Chronological Order CHART NO. 2 - Classification of the Parables of Jesus LESSON 1 - Parables of the Kingdom No. 1 The Parable of the Sower 1 - 1 LESSON 2 - Parables of the Kingdom No. 2 I. The Parable of the Tares 2 - 1 II. The Parable of the Seed Growing in Secret 2 - 3 III. The Parable of the Mustard Seed 2 - 5 IV. The Parable of the Leaven 2 - 7 LESSON 3 - Parables of the Kingdom No. 3 I. The Parable of the Hidden Treasure 3 - 1 II. The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price 3 - 3 III. The Parable of the Drawnet 3 - 5 IV. The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard 3 - 7 LESSON 4 - Parables of Forgiveness I. The Parable of the Two Debtors 4 - 1 II. The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant 4 - 5 LESSON 5 - A Parable of the Love of One's Neighbor The Parable of the Good Samaritan 5 - 1 A Parable of Jews and Gentiles The Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen 5 - 4 LESSON 6 - Parables of Praying I. The Parable of the Friend at Midnight 6 - 1 II. The Parable of the Importunate Widow 6 - 3 LESSON 7 - Parables of Self-Righteousness and Humility I. The Parable of the Chief Seats 7 - 1 II. The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican 7 - 3 LESSON 8 - Parables of the Cost of Discipleship I.
    [Show full text]
  • A Lot of Folks in This Church Like Baseball
    What Is It Worth? Matthew 13:44-46 OPEN: A lot of folks in this church like baseball. I wonder if you ever heard this baseball story? Back in 1905, there was baseball game at Salt Lake City, Utah. The Rhyolites were playing the Beattys and the Beattys were up to bat. The pitcher threw the ball, the batter swung - and the ball rocketed toward 1st base. The 1st baseman was a man named William Giffiths, and as he saw the ball coming his way, he was amazed to see it ricochet off a small stone and land right in his glove. He beat the runner to first easily. The little stone had given Griffiths a lucky break, but he decided it had no business on the playing field, so he walked over and picked it up. He started to raise his hand to throw it off the field when something caught his eye. He took a careful look at the stone and recognized free gold in it. Then he quietly slipped it into his pocket and went on with the game. That evening, he returned to the ball park with a lantern and spent an hour scratching around in the soil until he had accumulated a bucketful of rocks. By morning he knew that those rocks assayed at more than $900 a ton. He called in two friends and with them quietly bought the ball park. The mine was called the First Base Mine, and the first shaft entered paying ore at a depth of 33 feet. And Infielder Griffiths soon found himself a very wealthy man.
    [Show full text]
  • The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price Peter Ditzel
    The Parables of Jesus The Kingdom Parables The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price Peter Ditzel The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price is the second of the hidden parables—so-called because Jesus tells them only to His disciples. They are found only in Matthew 13. There are certainly direct similarities between this parable and the Parable of the Hidden Treasure that precedes it. But there are also differences. (For more information, see the previous article in this series, "The Parable of the Hidden Treasure" http://www.wordofhisgrace.org/par6treasure.htm.) The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price In the following words, Matthew records The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price: Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Matthew 13:45-46 Symbols and Explanation As we have seen with some other parables, Jesus does not give a direct, detailed explanation of this parable. Nevertheless, using the Bible, it is not difficult to understand the symbols. I. A Merchant Man : This is a good translation of the Greek. It refers to a man dealing in goods, especially one who travels in his business. As we have seen before, Jesus, in Matthew 13:37, said He was the sower in that parable. Without a good reason to think otherwise, the symbolism carries through to the parables that follow. Jesus is the man in this parable also. He is a merchant who is seeking.
    [Show full text]
  • The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price
    ©Dr. Jack L. Arnold – Matthew 13 Parables THE PARABLE OF THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE Matthew 13:45, 46 I. INTRODUCTION A. Where is God working in this world? How is He carrying out His plans and purposes in this present age? What is the Christian’s relationship to God’s sovereign will in the period between the first and second advents of Christ? The answers to these questions are hinted at in the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price. NOTE: Again I confess to you that my particular interpretation of this parable may be open to debate because our Lord gives no divine interpretation to the parable. There will naturally have to be some subjectivity in my interpretation of this parable, but the theology in it is based on essentially right doctrine. B. This parable is important because it adds another link to the mysteries of the kingdom in this present age while Jesus Christ, the King and His earthly kingdom is absent from the world. NOTE: It should be noted that this parable was given to the disciples only and so it is truth that concerns true believers and must be grasped by faith. The unsaved world does not understand these truths. II. THE PARABLE 13:45, 46 III. THE INTERPRETATION A. If we are going to follow the basic pattern in most of the parables in Matthew 13, then it is proper to see the merchantman symbolizing Christ Himself. In other parables, Christ was the Sower, the planter of the wheat and the planter of the mustard seed.
    [Show full text]
  • Biblical Basis for the Sacrament
    The Purpose of Life is • To take on Divinity • To share in the divine nature • By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity • To become a son or daughter of God • To be like God and live like God forever CCC 460 The Word became flesh to make us "partakers of the divine nature" 2 Peter 1:3-4 By his divine power, he has given us all the things that we need for life and for true devotion…In making these gifts, he has given us the guarantee of something very great and wonderful to come: through them you will be able to share the divine nature and to escape corruption in a world that is sunk in vice. St. Irenaeus, St. Athanasius and St Thomas Aquinas God became man so that man might become god What does that look like? It looks like the saints, like St. Maximilian Kolbe, • who even though he had TB, • founded a monastery that attracted 700 young men • then duplicated it in Japan • Cared for 1000s during the Nazi invasion; • was arrested and sent to Auschwitz, • where he traded places with another man who was sentenced to die by starvation. • By the way – we recorded a Rosary right there! • Suffering from TB, after months in a death camp in which he regularly gave away his food to other prisoners… 1 C:\Users\mike\Dropbox (SOF)\Mike Scherschligt\Mikes My Documents\CCC\1066-1209 (2020).doc • He lives for more than 2 weeks with no food or water.
    [Show full text]
  • Bible Bowl Packet 2016
    IC XC WYR 2016 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome . 3 Rules and Regulations . 4-10 Overview . 4 Contestants . 5-6 Advisors . 7 Administrators . 8 Matches . 9-10 Study Guide . 11-42 Overview . 11 Additional Knowledge . 12 How Should We Study? . 13 What Is a Parable? . 14 Where Are Parables Found? . 14 Parable of the Sower . 15-16 Parable of the Tares . 17 Parable of the Mustard Seed . 18 Parable of the Leaven . 18 Parable of the Treasure . 19 Parable of the Pearl . 19 Parable of the Net . 19 Parable of the Unmerciful Servant . 20 Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard . 21 Parable of the Marriage Feast . 22-23 Parable of the Ten Virgins . 23 Parable of the Talents . 24 Parable of the Pounds . 25 Parable of the Barren Fig Tree . 26 Parable of the Two Sons . 27 Parable of the Vineyard . 28-29 Parable of the Sheep and the Lost Coin . 30 Parable of the Prodigal Son . 31 Parable of the Unrighteous Steward . 32 Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus . 33 Parable of the Sheep and the Goats . 34 Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee . 35 Parable of the Importunate Widow . 35 Parable of the Rich Fool . 36 Parable of the Good Samaritan . 37 Parable of the Servants Waiting for Their Lord . 38 Parable of the Great Supper . 39 Parable of the Two Debtors . 40 Parable of the Tower-Builder & the King Who Would Go to War . 41 Parable of the Good Shepherd . 41-42 Contact Information . 43 2 Welcome! The 2016 WYR Bible Bowl Committee would like to formally invite all of you to this year’s Bible Bowl at Winter Youth Rally.
    [Show full text]
  • The Saviour Comes and Begins His Work Jesus Said, “The Kingdom Of
    Bible Class Notes – Studies in Matthew – Lesson 136 The Parable of The Pearl of Great Price. The Saviour Comes and Begins His Work o In This Parable The Lord uses a merchant who seeks to find a pearl of great value to encourage us to seek the Lord as Saviour, and Heaven as our home. This week – The Lord teaches us the value of Heaven - that we should strive obtain it at all cost. o The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price. The merchant seeks for the best pearl, finds it, and sells all he owns to buy it. Jesus said, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a The best pearls are rare, with a beautiful sheen, highly prized, and very costly. merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when ▪ The Merchant was a Collector of Pearls. he had found one pearl of great price, went and He searched far and wide to obtain the best pearls, facing danger in travel. ▪ We are Also Collectors of ‘Pearls’ – The Pearls of Life. sold all that he had, and bought it.” Matthew 13v45,46 What are we collecting? What treasures do we boast of? Are we paying dearly? Bible Readings for this week: Do we spend all ou r time in pursuing worldly entertainment, social media, music (Choose a regular time each day to read the Bible and pray whether it be when you first wake up or just before you go to sleep) tracks, videos, or planning our future – qualifications, career, marriage, home? Have you seen the beauty of the Lord Jesus? Do you have a great desire to know Him? Day Bible Reading Tick When Read o Matthew 13v44-58 (The Pearl of Great Price, Heaven) The Greatest Pearl of All – Christ and the Kingdom of Heaven.
    [Show full text]
  • Scripture Passages Curriculum Links
    Nurturing Our Catholic Community through the Word within the Toronto Catholic District School Board Scripture Passages Curriculum Links “Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me…” ~ Luke 9:48 Note to teachers: Every theme is introduced with a scripture quote for the teacher as catechist. These quotes are meant to inspire teachers and to help them understand the underlying purpose of the lessons, songs, activities etc that they will be doing with the children. Scripture is taught throughout the program through: story, song, gesture, drama, art, and symbols. Scripture Passages: Kindergarten: In God’s Image Church TImes Advent, Christmas, Epiphany; The birth of Luke 2: 1-20 Jesus Matthew 2: 1-12 The Birth of Jesus Lent , Easter John 4: 5-15 Jesus and the Woman of Samaria John 9:1, 4-12 A Man Born Blind Luke 7:36-38 A Sinful Woman Forgiven Scripture Passages: Grade 1—We Belong to God Unit 1: Welcome! You belong 1. Welcome Luke 9.48 True Greatness 2. We belong 3. We celebrate Unit 2: Jesus welcomes us 4. Jesus welcomes children Mark 10:13-16 Jesus blesses children 5. We meet Jesus’ friends John 1.35-39 Come and See John 2.1-10 Wedding at Cana John 6.1-13 Feeding the Five Thousand 1 6. We are Jesus’ friends John 6.1-13 Feeding the Five Thousand Luke 11.5-8 Persistent Friend Luke 10.25-37 The Good Samaritan John 15.15 You Are My Friends Unit 3: We hear the story of God through Jesus 7.
    [Show full text]
  • Bible Class Notes
    5/19/2021 The Parables of Jesus Parables of Pearls and Wineskins Matthew 13 & Luke 5 Thursday Morning Bible Study Our Redeemer, Wauwatosa 1 The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price – Matthew 13:45-46 • Parables are meant to be shocking – to push you to be either passionately for Jesus or against him. • For us, there is little that is shocking about this parable. • “The Kingdom of Heaven (God) is like a man, a merchant seeking excellent pearls. When he found he found one of great value, went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” 2 The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price – Matthew 13:45-46 • One interpretation: The pearl is the Gospel message, the good news of the Kingdom of God. The merchant will do all he can to get this one message. The disciple is willing to let go of material gain because the kingdom is more valuable and thus worth giving up everything. • Lutheran – The man searching for pearls is Jesus, and we are the pearl of great price. When Jesus finds you, he gives up everything, even himself, to have you. We were purchased at great price. 3 1 5/19/2021 The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price – Matthew 13:45-46 • Jesus' use of “appositive” -- A noun or noun phrase that renames or reshapes another noun right beside it. The appositive here is that the kingdom of heaven is like a man, a merchant. • The “man” – a human being. He is paired with • A Merchant – “emporos” – A man who markets things that people do not need for prices they cannot afford.
    [Show full text]
  • Parables of the Master Keith Sharp
    The Parables of the Master Keith Sharp Lessons Lesson Page One: Introduction.............................................................................................. 1 Two: Four Hearts: The Sower - Matthew 13:3-23; Mark 4:2-20; Luke 8:4-15.... 4 Three: Mixture of Good and Bad...................................................................... 9 The Tares - Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 The Dragnet - Matthew 13:47-50 Four: Growth of the Kingdom.......................................................................... 14 Seed Growing - Mark 4:26-29 Mustard Seed - Matthew 13:31-32; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19 Leaven - Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:20-21 Five: The Value of the Kingdom....................................................................... 17 Hidden Treasure - Matthew 13:44 Pearl of Great Price - Matthew 13:45-46 Six: Obedience: Wise and Foolish Builders - Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46-49.... 20 Seven: Divine Forgiveness and Human Love: Two Debtors - Luke 7:36-50... 23 Eight: Divine and Human Forgiveness - Matthew 18:21-35............................ 26 Nine: Mercy: The Good Samaritan - Luke 10:25-37........................................ 30 Ten: Prayer........................................................................................................ 35 Friend at Midnight - Luke 11:5-13 Persistent Widow - Luke 18:1-8 Eleven: Wealth: The Rich Fool - Luke 12:13-21.............................................. 40 Twelve: Bearing Fruit: The Barren Fig Tree - Luke 13:1-9............................ 44 Thirteen: Humility: Chief Seats
    [Show full text]
  • The Parable of the Treasure and the Parable of the Pearl
    Part Five: The Parable of the Treasure and The Parable of the Pearl "How shall I describe the kingdom of God?," Jesus Understanding the Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl excerpted from “The Kingdom According to Jesus” by Rob Phillips I’m using Rob Phillips’ review of the parables this week to offer a different structure to understanding parables. Phillips is a conservative writer. I think you’ll enjoy his insights. The Hidden Treasure Central theme The central theme of this parable is that the kingdom of heaven is of im- mense value. Even though the kingdom has come in humble form – large- ly escaping the notice of secular historians – it is like a treasure whose value transcends every other possession. Notice how Jesus builds His case for the kingdom: The kingdom has come, but not in the way the Jewish leaders expected. It is here, but can be resisted (parable of the sower). Its citizens will coexist with unbeliev- ers until Messiah returns (parable of the wheat and tares). It begins hum- bly, almost imperceptibly, yet it is the kingdom of God (parables of the mustard seed and leaven). It should not be underestimated; the kingdom is of immense value (parables of the hidden treasure and pearl of great price). Central character The treasure is the focus of this parable. In Jesus’ day, it was not uncom- mon to bury valuables in the ground to keep them from unscrupulous neighbors, thieves or marauders. This often was done by men before de- parting for battle or embarking on long journeys.
    [Show full text]
  • A Study of Chapter 13 of Matthew's Gospel
    Kingdom of Heaven and the Church: A Study of Chapter 13 of Matthew's Gospel CHEUNG Pui Yee Albert A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Divinity Graduate Division of Theology © The Chinese University of Hong Kong June 2012 The Chinese University of Hong Kong holds the copyright of this thesis. Any person(s) intending to use a part or whole of the materials in the thesis in a proposed publication must seek copyright release from the Dean of the Graduate School. Abstract The kingdom of heaven is an important message in the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew has more kingdom parables than the other Gospels, many of which can be found in Matthew 13. Meanwhile, the church is an important concept in Matthew's Gospel. It is the only Gospel using the word "church". This thesis focuses on the interpretation of the kingdom parables in Matthew 13 to examine how they reflect Matthew's concept of the kingdom of heaven, the situation of his church and his understanding of the church. This thesis covers four main parts, including: � Concepts of the kingdom of God/heaven and the general situation of Matthew's church (2) The kingdom parables in Matthew 13: Matthew 13 marks the great turning point in Jesus' ministry. In response to the rejection by the Jews, Jesus only gives his disciples the privilege of knowing the secrets of the kingdom, but the unbelieving Jews will hear without understanding. The Parable of the Sower indicates that the unbelieving Jews hear the word of the kingdom but do not understand, while the disciples hear and understand and produce fruit by doing the will of God.
    [Show full text]