We have discussed seven parables and the parable that follows is often not recognized as such. But it is indeed one, as is evident from the content. The number seven in Scripture stands for fullness and completeness. An eighth is… Lees verder
We saw that the parable of the treasure in the field speaks of Israel and that the parable of the pearl speaks of the ecclesia (>church). The parable of the fishing net is about the nations and so we see… Lees verder
In this group of three parables, which have a positive content, the first parable, of the treasure in the field, was about Israel. The parable of the pearl is about the ecclesia (>church). 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is… Lees verder
We now come to the next three parables in the series of eight. As we saw earlier, these three parables have a positive meaning. They speak of what God does. The previous three parables spoke of what the adversary does.… Lees verder
We have now discussed four parables. Next comes the parable of the treasure in the field, which begins in verse 44. But first we get an appendix, which follows the parable of the leaven. 34 All these things Jesus spoke… Lees verder
In a secret way, leaven was introduced into that which was intended for YAHWEH. False teachers brought corrupt and unhealthy elements into the teaching that had been handed down by the apostles. This was already the case in Paul’s day… Lees verder
Leaven has a negative meaning in Scripture and is a representation of sin, especially false doctrine. A little bit of it can have great consequences. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 33 Another parable he spoke to them: The… Lees verder
We now come to a very short parable. Although there are a few more verses after it, the parable of the leaven is only described in one verse. As mentioned, the parable of the weeds, the mustard seed and the… Lees verder
The mustard seed grows into a tree and that is a form of wild growth. Mustard is a vegetable and mustard bushes can grow quite high, but it will never develop into a tree. The original mustard seed that the… Lees verder
Now follows the second parable in this series of three, all three of which have a negative meaning. They speak of what goes ‘wrong’ with regard to the Kingdom of Heaven. We can see that we can classify these three… Lees verder
We will see in this blog that the parable of the weeds applies to a specific period. But there is also a general lesson in this parable. We as believers do not have to fight against weeds. When the time… Lees verder
Between the pronouncing of this parable and the explanation that the Lord gives, we find two other parables. We will now logically first look at the explanation of the parable of the weeds and later discuss the parable of the… Lees verder
Now follows the second parable in this series of eight parables, which the Lord spoke. This parable, like that of the sower, is also interrupted. In the parable of the sower we saw that it is interrupted by Jesus’ explanation… Lees verder
The parable of the sower is not difficult to understand. There are more parables that need more explanation. The principle that Scripture interprets itself also applies to the parables, because we find certain principles explained in one parable and not… Lees verder
Because this parable is the first that the Lord speaks, we will discuss it extensively. Much of the information that we find here is fundamental with regard to understanding all parables. What follows now is the explanation of the parable… Lees verder
The Lord spoke in parables to hide things. The people did not see and hear, because their eyes and ears were closed. It was not given to them. In contrast to the disciples. They were allowed to hear it and… Lees verder
What follows is the Lord’s explanation of why He spoke in parables. The people would not see while seeing. We have previously discussed that what they saw has a deeper meaning. They saw the Lord in a ship, from the… Lees verder
Because of the order in which it is recorded in Matthew 13, it is always a bit difficult to discuss this parable. In the first verses of Matthew 13, Jesus tells the crowds the story of the sower and that… Lees verder
In the first verses of Matthew 13 we saw how the Lord illustrates through His actions that He would hide His words from Israel and that the Kingdom would not be revealed. Christ would be hidden among the nations (Col.… Lees verder
We have seen what the purpose of the parables is and what period they cover. We have also seen that parables are not meant to explain something, but that they are meant to hide things. There is a deeper meaning… Lees verder
Immediately in the first parable, that of the sower, the Lord’s speaking in parables is put into a certain context. His entire performance is strongly symbolic in nature and is not described as such for nothing. More about that later.… Lees verder
We have already seen that parables speak of the secrets or mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt. 13:11). In other gospels this is called the Kingdom of God (Mark 4:11, Luke 8:10). It is the Kingdom that will come… Lees verder
The principle that parables speak about the mysteries of the Kingdom is only mentioned in the first mention of parables in Scripture. We find it, besides Matthew 13:11, only in the parallel texts in Mark 4:11 and Luke 8:10. After… Lees verder
In the gospels we find many parables, spoken by the Lord Jesus. Before we discuss the parables one by one, it is good to first answer the question why the Lord spoke in parables. The common explanation is that He… Lees verder
In the Bible we find many parables and some are very well known, such as the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15). This parable is probably so well known because the story lends itself easily as an evangelistic message:… Lees verder