Parables of Mathew 13
Kingdom of God with focus toward the Parables of Matthew 13
Thesis
The Kingdom of God emerges as a key focus on the pages of Scripture, and can be seen as the overall message of the Bible. Despite the Kingdom’s importance in the bible, there is no greater theme in the gospel that invokes greater confusion and debate. The questions that arise are such: What is the nature of the Kingdom of God? Is the Kingdom of God here now or only in the future? The purpose of this essay is to evaluate the Kingdom of God based on the gospel of Matthew. It will also discuss the presence of the Kingdom of God, and how it is here and now as well as in the future. This essay will break down the parables in Matthew 13 and discuss the nature of the Kingdom.
Parable Analysis Jesus ' parables are seemingly simple and memorable stories; they often include imagery and convey a message. Scholars have commented that although these parables seem simple, the messages they convey are deep, and central to the teachings of Jesus. (Talbert p.162-165) The Kingdom in Matthew is the rule of God. The parables speak deceptively yet dramatically of the growth of God’s kingdom. (Turner p.345)
When Jesus spoke to His Crowd, He spoke using only parables so that only those who were close to Him and the Lord would understand. In Matthew 13: 34-36 it reads, “Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: ‘I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world’ (Verse form Psalms 78).”
In Matthew 13: 3-9 Jesus tells us the parable of the sower and in verse 18-23 Jesus gives an explanation to his parable. This explanation is that the one who “hears the word and understands it” is gifted with eternal life. Jesus’ main point is that the parable will only make sense to those who are close to him and the Lord. (Keener 235)
The Parable of the Sower
Thesis
The Kingdom of God emerges as a key focus on the pages of Scripture, and can be seen as the overall message of the Bible. Despite the Kingdom’s importance in the bible, there is no greater theme in the gospel that invokes greater confusion and debate. The questions that arise are such: What is the nature of the Kingdom of God? Is the Kingdom of God here now or only in the future? The purpose of this essay is to evaluate the Kingdom of God based on the gospel of Matthew. It will also discuss the presence of the Kingdom of God, and how it is here and now as well as in the future. This essay will break down the parables in Matthew 13 and discuss the nature of the Kingdom.
Parable Analysis Jesus ' parables are seemingly simple and memorable stories; they often include imagery and convey a message. Scholars have commented that although these parables seem simple, the messages they convey are deep, and central to the teachings of Jesus. (Talbert p.162-165) The Kingdom in Matthew is the rule of God. The parables speak deceptively yet dramatically of the growth of God’s kingdom. (Turner p.345)
When Jesus spoke to His Crowd, He spoke using only parables so that only those who were close to Him and the Lord would understand. In Matthew 13: 34-36 it reads, “Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: ‘I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world’ (Verse form Psalms 78).”
In Matthew 13: 3-9 Jesus tells us the parable of the sower and in verse 18-23 Jesus gives an explanation to his parable. This explanation is that the one who “hears the word and understands it” is gifted with eternal life. Jesus’ main point is that the parable will only make sense to those who are close to him and the Lord. (Keener 235)
The Parable of the Sower
Bibliography: Bailey, Mark L. "The Doctrine of The Kingdom in Matthew 13." Bibliotheca Sacra Oct 1999 Christian Periodical Index, EBSCOhost (accessed November 30, 2011). Keener, Craig S.. Matthew. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1997. Morrison, Michael International. http://www.gci.org/bible/matthew13 (accessed December 1, 2011). Mounce, Robert H.. New International Biblical Commentary Matthew. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson Publishers, 1991 Saucy, Robert. "The Presence of the Kingdom and the Life in the Church," Bibliotheca Sacra 1988 Christian Periodical Index, EBSCOhost (accessed November 30, 2011). Talbert, Charles H.. Matthew. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010. Turner, David L.