New Testament—10th Bible

Unit 2: Matthew

Lesson 3: PARABLES OF MATTHEW

I. Jesus and His Parables (from Lesson 1)

A. Parable = story equating a scene from the familiar world with the Kingdom of God

1. Often includes metaphors and similes.

2. Interpreted on multiple levels

a) taking into account setting and context in which it was told

3. Central message does not change but often the significance of and nuances within a parable shift from person to person or over time.

B. Parables both explain and hide truth

1. Jesus represents spiritual ideas in a way people can understand

a) clarifying his teaching

2. Jesus hides the truth

a) As an act of mercy.

(1) Once you understand something, you are responsible for it (Matt 13:10,13)

b) As a test of hunger.

(1) They expose people’s spiritual state (John 12:29)

(2) Those who hunger after God will dig deeper.

(3) It is the glory of God to hide a matter. It is the glory of Kings to search it out. (Prov. 25:2)

3. These stories catch the hearers and call for a response.

a) Those who understand the parable must make a decision one way or the other.

b) To ignore the parable once you understand is a decision to do nothing.

(1) There is no middle ground.

II. Aesop’s Fableshttp://tomsdomain.com/aesop/aesopmain.htm

A. The Father, his sons, the bundle of sticks

1.An old man on the point of death summoned his sons around him to give them some parting advice. He ordered them to bring in a bundle of sticks, and said to his eldest son: "Break it."The son strained and strained, but with all his efforts was unable to break the bundle. The other sons also tried, but none succeeded."Untie the bundle," said the father, "and each of you take a stick." When they had done so, he told them: "Now, break," and each stick was easily broken.

2. Meaning: [United we stand, divided we fall]

B. The Donkey and the Mule

1.A muleteer [person who drives pack animals] started on a journey with both a Donkey and a Mule, both loaded. The Donkey became tired and asked the Mule to assist with part of his load. The Mule ignored the Donkey who became more tired and eventually died. The muleteer, not being able to carry the load, loaded the entire Donkey's burden onto the Mule; who had to carry the entire burden alone.

2. Meaning: [If you do not help another in need, you may find your own work increased]

C. The Donkey in Lions Skin

1.A Donkey once found a Lion's skin which the hunters had left out in the sun to dry. He put it on and went towards his native village. All fled at his approach, both men and animals, and he was a proud Donkey that day. In his delight he lifted up his voice and brayed, but then every one knew him, and his owner came up and gave him a sound cudgeling for the fright he had caused. And shortly afterwards a Fox came up to him and said: "Ah, I knew you by your voice."

2. Meaning: [Fine clothes and station may disguise for a time, but a fool is know by his words]

III. Interpreting Parables

A. Interpret Sower together as class

Parables

Jesus used parables to teach complex truths to his followers. It is important that when we study Jesus’ parables we see the richness and complexity of his teachings. The following is a guide to help you. Not all sections will be completed for every parable.

Parable: _The Parable of the Sower_ Matt 13: 1-23

1.The context in which the parable was told.

The parable was told at the same time Jesus faced criticism from the Pharisees in driving out demons.

Jesus’ mother and brothers were also demanding his attention.

Immediately following the parable an account is given of the death of John the Baptist.

2. Cultural background of and Old Testament references within the parable.

Seeds were planted by scattering them by hand.

It would be natural that not all the seeds would be planted in good soil.

The harvest produced by the good seeds would more than make up for the loss of the seeds on bad soil.

No specific OT references.

Images from nature were commonly used by the Old Testament writers as well.

3. Symbolism within the parable.

Sower = Jesus (and us)

Types of soil = the people who hear the teaching of Jesus

Birds = devil

Weeds = Cares of this world

Rocks = people who have no depth of faith

Good soil = people who hear teaching and do what it says

4. Meaning of the parable (may have been supplied by Jesus).

This is one of the few parables that includes an explanation provided by Jesus.

The parable explains how different people respond to God’s Word.

The seeds sown on the path represent those who hear the message but don’t understand it, and the evil one snatches them away.

The seeds on the rocky places represent those who initially respond positively to God’s Word, but when persecution comes they quickly fall away.

The seeds that fell in the thorns represent those who hear the word, but the worries of life choke their faith.

The seeds on the good soil represent those who hear and embrace God’s Word. These seeds produce an abundant crop.

5. Application for the original audienceand for us.

This is an opportunity for the audience to reexamine their commitment to Christ.

We need to make sure we faithfully respond to God’s Word and do not let the worries and trials of life interfere.

We also have a responsibility to share Christ’s message. People may not always be receptive, but we need to plant the message; we don’t know on what type of soil our witness may fall.

B. Possibly interpret several more as a class

-Matt 5: Lamp under a basket-Matt 7: Wise and foolish builders-Matt 9: New cloth on old garment,

New wine in Old wineskin-Matt 13: Kingdom parables (7)-Sower, Weeds, Mustard Seed, Yeast,

Hidden Treasure, Pearl, Net-Matt 18: Lost sheep and Unmerciful

servant-Matt 20: Workers in the vineyard-Matt 21: Two Sons, and Tenants of the

Vineyard-Matt 22: Parable of Wedding Feast-Matt 25: 10 Bridesmaids, and Talents

Parables Worksheet1.The context in which the parable was told.2.Cultural background of the parable.3.Old Testament references within the parable.4.Patterns or repetition within the parable.5.Protagonist and antagonist in the parable.6.Meaning of the parable (may have been

supplied by Jesus).7.Application for the original audience.8.Application for us.

Assignment:

1. Finish Matthew reading questions by the end of this section on parables.

2. Groups of 2 or 3:Read each of the parables in Matthew (with the exception of the ones we’ve done in class together), and fill out a parables worksheet for each. I suggest going in order through the book of Matthew.

3. Show Mr. Busch completed parable worksheets for all 19 Parables.

© Christian Schools InternationalHope of the World-Unit 2 Lesson 8