Rev. 08/2005

A Prayer of Jesus

I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will.

THE LOGOS OF GOD PARALLEL SAYINGS FROM THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS SECTION 5 Parables of the Kingdom (Matthew 13:1-52)

1. THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER Matthew 13:1-9 1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat there; and the whole crowd stood on the beach. Mark 4:1-9 1 Again he began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. Luke 8:4-8 4 And when a great crowd came together and people from town after town came to him, 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: L A sower went out to sow. 2 And he taught them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: 3 Listen! A sower went out to sow. he said in a parable: L 5 A sower went out to sow his seed; 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they had not much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 5 Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it had not much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil; 6 And some fell on the rock; 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched; and since they had no root they withered away. 6 and when the sun rose it was scorched, and since it had no root it withered away. and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7 Other seeds fell upon thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 7 Other seed fell among thorns and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 8 And other seeds fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold. 8 And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold. 9 He who has ears, let him hear. 9 And he said, He who has ears to hear, let him hear. As he said this, he called out, He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

2. THE REASON FOR SPEAKING IN PARABLES Matthew 13:10-15 10 Then the disciples came and said to him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" Mark 4:10-12 10 And when he was alone, those who were about him with the twelve asked him concerning the parables. Luke 8:9-10 9 And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, 11 And he answered them, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 11 And he said to them, "To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables; 10 he said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for others they are in parables, 12 For to him who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. . 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 12 so that they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand; lest they should turn again, and be forgiven. so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand 14 With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah which says: 'You shall indeed hear but never understand, and you shall indeed see but never perceive. 15 For this people's heart has grown dull, and their ears are heavy of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should perceive with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn for me to heal them.

3. THE BLESSEDNESS OF THE DISCIPLES Matthew 13:16-17 L 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. L 17 Truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. Luke 10:23-24 L 23 Then turning to the disciples he said privately, "Blessed are the eyes which see what you see! 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it."

4. THE INTERPRETATION OF THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER Matthew 13:18-23 18 Hear then the parable of the sower. Mark 4:13-20 13 And he said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? Luke 8:11-15 11 "This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 14 The sower sows the word. 19 When any one hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in his heart; this is what was sown along the path. 15 And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown; when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word which is sown in them. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 16 And these in like manner are the ones sown upon rocky ground, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy; 13 Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 17 and they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 18 And others are the ones sown among thorns; they are those who hear the word, 19 but the cares of the world, and the delight in riches, and the desire for other things, enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit, and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty. 20 But those that were sown upon the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

5. THE PARABLE OF THE WEEDS Matthew 13:24-30 L 24 Another parable he put before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. 27 And the servants of the householder came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then has it weeds?' 28 He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them?' 29 But he said, 'No; lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'"

6. THE PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED Matthew 13:31-32 31 Another parable he put before them, saying, Mark 4:30-32 30 And he said, With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? Luke 13:18:19 30 And he said, With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? The kingdom of heaven  is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field; 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, 32 it is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches. is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; 32 yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade. is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; 32 yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.

7. THE PARABLE OF THE LEAVEN Matthew 13:33 33 He told them another parable.  The kingdom of heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened. Luke 13:20-21 20 And again he said, To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.

8. THE INTERPRETATION OF  PARABLE OF THE WEEDS Matthew 13:36-43 36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field." 37 He answered, He who sows the good seed is the Son of man; 38 the field is the world, and the good seed means the sons of the kingdom; the weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the close of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the close of the age. 41 The Son of man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, 42 and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

9. THE PARABLES OF THE HIDDEN TREASURE AND THE PEARL Matthew 13:44-46 44 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

10. THE PARABLE OF THE NET Matthew 13:47-50 47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net which was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; 48 when it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into vessels but threw away the bad. 49 So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous, 50 and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.

11. THE PARABLE OF THE HOUSEHOLDER Matthew 13:51-52 51 Have you understood all this? They said to him, "Yes." 52 And he said to them, Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.

12. THE PARABLE OF THE MARRIAGE FEAST

Matthew 22:1-14 1 And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, 2 The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son, Luke 14:16-24 16 But he said to him, A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; 3 and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast; but they would not come. 17 and at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for all is now ready.' 18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.' 4 Again he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, Behold, I have made ready my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves are killed, and everything is ready; come to the marriage feast.' 5 But they made light of it and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, 19 And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused.' 20 And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' 6 while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. 7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 21 So the servant came and reported this to his master. Then the householder in anger said to his servant, 8 Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the thoroughfares, and invite to the marriage feast as many as you find.' 10 And those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.' 22 And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' 23 And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. 11 But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment; 12 and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.' 14 For many are called, but few are chosen. 24 For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.'"

13. THE PARABLE OF THE TEN MAIDENS

Matthew 25:1-13 1 Then the kingdom of heaven shall be compared to ten maidens who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' 7 Then all those maidens rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9 But the wise replied, 'Perhaps there will not be enough for us and for you; go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other maidens came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' 12 But he replied, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

14. THE PARABLE OF THE POUNDS (TALENTS)

Matthew 25:14-30 Luke 19:11-27 11 As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 14 For it will be as when a man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property; 12 He said therefore, A nobleman went into a far country to receive a kingdom and then return. 15 to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 13 Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten pounds, and said to them, 'Trade with these till I come.' 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them; and he made five talents more. 17 So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 14 But his citizens hated him and sent an embassy after him, saying, 'We do not want this man to reign over us.' 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by trading. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' 16 The first came before him, saying, 'Lord, your pound has made ten pounds more.' 21 His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.' 17 And he said to him, 'Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.' 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.' 18 And the second came, saying, 'Lord, your pound has made five pounds.' 23 His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.' 19 And he said to him, 'And you are to be over five cities.' 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not winnow; 20 Then another came, saying, 'Lord, here is your pound, which I kept laid away in a napkin; 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man; you take up what you did not lay down, and reap what you did not sow.' 26 But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed, and gather where I have not winnowed? 22 He said to him, 'I will condemn you out of your own mouth, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 23 Why then did you not put my money into the bank, and at my coming I should have collected it with interest?' 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. 24 And he said to those who stood by, 'Take the pound from him, and give it to him who has the ten pounds.' 25 (And they said to him, 'Lord, he has ten pounds!') 29 For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 26 'I tell you, that to every one who has will more be given; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.' 27 But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay the before me.'"

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