New Testament
Lesson #11 Matthew 13
Introduction
The word parable comes from the Greek and has the
same root as a parabola—that geometric term which describes the arc of parallel
but curving lines when something is tossed up in the air and comes down. So a
parable is a literary device to show alternate meanings laid close together. Jesus
delivered these parables from a boat with the “multitude stood on the shore”
(Matthew 13:2). He was in a natural amphitheatre. This manner of teaching,
although not unfamiliar (see, for instance, 2 Samuel 12:1-13; Nathan’s parable
to King David), was a departure for the Savior. The opposition from the
Pharisees, Saducees, etc. was increasing, so by using parables, the Savior
“could simultaneously teach truths to those ready to receive them and withhold
truths from those unprepared to receive them.”[1]
The Savior also uses another literary device, hyperbole. As we would say “I could eat a horse,” when we have no
intention of even trying, in order to express hunger, so the Savior talked
about yields of a “hundredfold” when a good yield would be six to tenfold. Or a
mustard seed growing into a tree. As now, this was a common device in ancient
Israel.
Matthew 13:1–13: Parable of the Sower
The wayside is the beaten path around the field—trampled down
by traffic. There is an obvious parallel to Lehi’s dream throughout this
parable.
Joseph B Wirthlin: “This parable describes the types of soil
onto which seeds of truth are sown and nourished. Each type of soil represents
our degree of commitment and ability to endure. The first type of soil, that of
the “way side,” represents those who hear the gospel but never give the truth a
chance to take root. The second type of soil, “stony ground,” represents those
in the Church who, at the first sign of sacrifice or trial, run away offended,
not willing to pay the price. The third type of soil, “sown among thorns,”
represents some members of the Church who are distracted and obsessed by the
cares, riches, and lusts of the world. Finally, those on “good ground” are
those members of the Church whose lives reflect their discipleship to the
Master, whose roots go deep into gospel soil, and thereby produce abundant
fruit.”[2]
It
is important to note that in whichever ground we find ourselves throughout our
lives, because of the Atonement, we can turn that ground “good.”
Joseph Smith, “Listen to the explanation of the parable of the
Sower: "When any one heareth the word of the Kingdom, and understandeth it
not, then cometh the wicked one, and eateth away that which was sown in his heart"
Now mark the expression—that which was sown in his heart. This is he which
receiveth seed by the way side. Men who have no principle of righteousness in
themselves, and whose hearts are full of iniquity, and have no desire for the
principles of truth, do not understand the word of truth when they hear it. The
devil taketh away the word of truth out of their hearts, because there is no
desire for righteousness in them "But be that receiveth seed in stony
places, the 'same is he that heareth the word, and anon, with joy receiveth it;
yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation
or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by, he is offended. He also
that receiveth seed among the thorns, is he that heareth the word; and the care
of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becometh
unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth
the word, and understandeth it, which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth,
some an hundred fold, some sixty, some thirty." Thus the Savior Himself
explains unto His disciples the parable which He put forth, and left no mystery
or darkness upon the minds of those who firmly believe on His words. We draw
the conclusion, then, that the very reason why the multitude, or the world, as
they were designated by the Savior, did not receive an explanation upon His
parables, was because of unbelief. To you, He says, (speaking to His
disciples,) it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. And why?
Because of the faith and confidence they had in Him. This parable was spoken to
demonstrate the effects that are produced by the preaching of the word; and we
believe that it has an allusion directly, to the commencement, or the setting
up of the kingdom in that age; therefore we shall continue to trace His sayings
concerning this Kingdom from that time forth, even unto the end of the world.[3]
James E. Talmage: “Though commonly known to us as the Parable
of the Sower, the story could be expressively designated as the Parable of the
Four Kinds of Soil. It is the ground upon which the seed is cast, to which the
story most strongly directs our attention, and which so aptly is made to
symbolize the softened or the hardened heart, the clean or the thorn-infested
soil. Observe the grades of soil, given in the increasing order of their
fertility: (1) the compacted highway, the wayside path, on which, save by
a combination of fortuitous circumstances practically amounting to a miracle,
no seed can possibly strike root or grow; (2) the thin layer of soil
covering an impenetrable bed-rock, wherein seed may sprout yet can never
mature; (3) the weed-encumbered field, capable of producing a rich crop
but for the jungle of thistles and thorns; and (4) the clean rich mold
receptive and fertile. Yet even soils classed as good are of varying degrees of
productiveness, yielding an increase of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred fold,
with many inter-gradations.”[4]
With regard to interpretation, Joseph Smith remarked, “for we
find that the very principle upon which the disciples were accounted blessed,
was because they were permitted to see with their eyes and hear with their
ears— that the condemnation which rested upon the multitude that received not
His saying, was because they were not willing to see with their eyes, and hear
with their ears; not because they could not, and were not privileged to see and
hear, but because their hearts were full of iniquity and abominations; "as
your fathers did, so do ye." The prophet, foreseeing that they would thus
harden their hearts, plainly declared it; and herein is the condemnation of the
world; that light hath come into the world, and men choose darkness rather than
light, because their deeds are evil. This is so plainly taught by the Savior,
that a wayfaring man need not mistake it.”[5]
24–30 The Wheat and the Tares
Both
wheat and tares are grasses and if any of you have tried to dig up grass, you
know the roots are deep and intertwined. The tare may be the somewhat poisonous bearded darnel which resembles
wheat and, as it grows, will intertwine its roots with the wheat, making it
very difficult to eradicate without destroying the wheat along with it, until
they are both ripe. The Lord gave us an explanation in D&C 86: 1–7: “Verily,
thus saith the Lord unto you my servants, concerning the parable of the wheat
and of the tares: Behold, verily I say, the field was the world, and the
apostles were the sowers of the seed; And after they have fallen asleep the
great persecutor of the church, the apostate, the whore, even Babylon, that
maketh all nations to drink of her cup, in whose hearts the enemy, even Satan,
sitteth to reign—behold he soweth the tares; wherefore, the tares choke the
wheat and drive the church into the wilderness. But behold, in the last days,
even now while the Lord is beginning to bring forth the word, and the blade is
springing up and is yet tender—Behold, verily I say unto you, the angels are
crying unto the Lord day and night, who are ready and waiting to be sent forth
to reap down the fields; But the Lord saith unto them, pluck not up the tares
while the blade is yet tender (for verily your faith is weak), lest you destroy
the wheat also. Therefore, let the wheat and the tares grow together until the
harvest is fully ripe; then ye shall first gather out the wheat from among the
tares, and after the gathering of the wheat, behold and lo, the tares are bound
in bundles, and the field remaineth to be burned.”
31–32 The Mustard Seed
Although
very brief, this parable contains a deep message—one that really did fall on
stony ground. As will be seen later on, the Jews expected their Messiah to be a
great warrior who would break the bonds of Roman dictatorship and free Israel
from slavery. In other words, a full-grown and mighty tree. Instead, the Lord
indicates that the Kingdom of God on the earth would start very small, as “the
least of all seeds” (Matthew 13:32), but would grow into a great tree. The
implication being that it would grow through the faith of the members—we need
to do our part.
33: The Parable of the Leaven
Even
briefer, but employing a metaphor that everyone there would understand, the
Lord talks about the small amount of yeast needed to bring flat dough into
aerated bread. Joseph Smith explained, “It may be understood that the Church of
the Latter-day Saints has taken its rise from a little leaven that was put into three witnesses. Behold, how much this is like the
parable! It is fast leavening the lump, and will soon leaven the whole.”[6]
44–46: Treasure in the Field/Pearl of Great Price
These
parables are very similar and have the meaning that Eternal Life and Exaltation
are worth every sacrifice that we can make in this life. Joseph Smith likened
the pearl and the treasure to Zion—the physical and spiritual goal for that
time. As we know, Zion is a spiritual goal for us now.
47–50 The Parable of the Net
Appealing,
perhaps to a different section of the audience, those who were fishermen,
rather than agriculturalists, the Savior gives a parable similar to the wheat
and the tares, but this goes straight to the end of the world when “every kind”
will be “gathered” and judged.
51–52: The Parable of the Householder
Joseph
Smith explained, “For the works of this example, see the Book of Mormon coming
forth out of the treasure of the heart. Also the covenants given to the
Latter-day Saints, also the translation of the Bible—thus bringing forth out of
the heart things new and old, thus answering to three measures of meal
undergoing the purifying touch by a revelation of Jesus Christ, and the
ministering of angels, who have already commenced this work in the last days,
which will answer to the leaven which leavened the whole lump. Amen.”[7]
[1] Ogden and Skinner, The Four Gospels, 279–81.
[2]
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2004/10/press-on?lang=eng&query=parable+of+the+sower.
[3] History of the
Church 2:266–67.
[4]
https://www.lds.org/manual/jesus-the-christ/chapter-19?lang=eng.
[5] History of the
Church, 2:265–66.
[6] History of the
Church, 2:270.
[7] History of the
Church, 2:272.
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