AN INTRODUCTION TO MATTHEW CHAPTER 13
Chapter 13 contain eight parables explaining the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven in the absence of the King. A parable is a similitude, a symbolic comparison, or figure of speech that clarifies or explains a truth not fully understood. Parables may clarify a truth, or hide it, as illustrated in this chapter. A mystery was made known by revelation to the speaker or writer. It implies knowledge unknown from the foundation of the world, but revealed by God at the appropriate time. The church, the body of Christ, was a mystery, and was unknown, until revealed to the Apostle Paul. These parables are not about the church, but are mysteries of the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven, in the absence of the King.
It was unknown by the Apostles that Jesus would be crucified and returning to Heaven. These parables reveal the nature of their ministry and its results in His absence. It explains the nature of the interregnum between the Apostles preaching of the Kingdom of Heaven, and His physical return to judge the nations and establish His kingdom.
It is a great disservice to the body of Christ to force the church of this dispensation into these parables. To do so, forces one to spiritualize them and do all manner of disrespect to the purpose of Matthew’s Gospel. Although one may use them for spiritual application to some conditions within the church, doctrinally, they have no relationship to the church, the body of Christ
The theme of Matthew’s gospel had not changed. It was still Christ’s purpose to establish His Kingdom on earth with Israel. However, He needed to ascend to the Father. He needed to pour out the Holy Spirit, as prophesied throughout Old Testament Scripture, and the nation of Israel needed to repent at the preaching of His Disciples under the power of the Holy Spirit, then He would return. Again, this was unknown to them until after His resurrection. He may have revealed it to them during the 40 days prior to His ascension.
This is what Peter preached in Acts. “18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. 19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. 22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. 23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. 24 Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. 25 Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. 26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.” Acts 3:18-26.
One would have to be blind, or dishonest not to understand the context of Peter’s message. Verse 19 says, if they would repent of killing their Messiah, and be baptized Jesus would return and blot their sins as a nation. In addition, the covenant made with the nation through Abraham and David would be established.
I encourage the reader to get a copy of my book on these parables. All eight are within it. You may purchase it at the Open Door Book Store. I will not post that study on my blot page.
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Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.