1
Matthew 13
Pg 30 Ln 11- Pg 35 Ln 2
January 11, 2017
Kim Hall
DIVIDED RESPONSE
Main Point:
When our hearts are turned to God, we will be able to see, hear, and understand his kingdom purposes and our
lives will yield a harvest
Background:
This is the 3rd discourse of 5 in the book of Matthew. The opposition to Jesus has been growing. The Jewish
leaders are turning against him and so we find Jesus moving into the open air, where the common people gladly
hear him.
This is the only block of parables in Matthew. This chapter skillfully brings an end to the whole section about the
growing division among people in their attitude to Jesus, seen in chapters 11-12. And in fact, at the end of this
chapter we reach a climax of Jesus being rejected in his own hometown.
1. OVERVIEW
a. PARABLES
i. Short stories about everyday life.
1. Parables are an instrument of revelation.
b. KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
i. Definition: Kingdom of Heaven refers to God’s sovereign reign breaking into history and into
our world in a decisive and new way to bring restoration to God’s lost creation.
2.
PARABLES
a. WEEDS IN WHEAT (13:24-30, 36-43)
Message: Only God knows each person’s true response to him. He himself will judge at harvest
time.
i. How come the owner couldn’t pull the weeds when they were small? Why did he let them
grow together?
1. Weed is known as darnel, which is a weedy rye. Looks just like wheat in the early
stages of growth, yet it has poisonous seeds.
2. It would be difficult (impossible) to pull the weeds out since the roots of the weed
were intertwined with the roots of the wheat.
ii. Patience of God:
Parable is about the patience of God in light of people’s response to him. He is gracious in
giving people more opportunity to respond in repentance.
b. MUSTARD SEED and YEAST (13:31-33)
Message: Though the coming of the kingdom of heaven on earth has tiny and seemingly
insignificant beginnings, it will one day have a triumphant climax
i. Mustard Seed:
1. Tiny seed grows to 8-10’ tall around Galilee.
ii. Yeast:
1. 50 pounds of flour that would feed over 100 people.
2. The KOH is hidden like yeast and yet it will permeate the whole.
c. TREASURE AND PEARL (13:44-45)
Message: Our whole-hearted response should be joy and a willingness to give all to obtain it.
i. Treasure:
1. Peasant working for a wealthy landowner. This parable is about the price that the
man was willing to pay and did pay.
2. Some people discover the worth of the kingdom by accident.
ii. Pearl:
1. Found by a rich man. Came across it after a long and patient search.
2. Some people find the KOH after the try many faiths.
d. THE NET (13:47-50)
Message: Same message as wheat and weeds. God will do the sorting at the end of time – not
people.
i. Good can reside with bad and must be sorted.
1. A challenge to the disciples about their perseverance to allow God to judge on the
last day.
e. THE OWNER/SCRIBES (13:51-52)
i. This parable is Jesus telling the untrained disciples that they are scribes.
3.
FOUR SOILS (13:1-9, 18-23)
a. Seed on Path - Birds snatch it up
i. Turned away from God. Her heart is hardened towards him.
b. Rocky Soil – Scorched by Sun
i. This is a heart that is turned, but when persecution comes, the heart turns away from God
and becomes hardened.
c. Seed among thorns: Worries of life & Deceitfulness of wealth
This soil is actually good, but it is already taken up (by thorns).
i. Embraces the gospel, but things like wealth, security, family have quietly taken first place in
her life and have chocked out the word and God from rightful first place.
1. Jesus must hold first place in our lives.
2. “We must always abandon anything that would stand in the way of wholehearted
allegiance to Christ and the priorities of the Kingdom.” (Craig Blomberg)
d. Good Soil: Yield Harvest (understanding and obedience)
Turned towards God with a heart that is soft, ears that are ready to receive, and eyes that see.
i. Understanding happens when we turn our hearts toward God and allow him to heal our
hearts, eyes, and ears.
1. “Jesus pointed out that listening makes fertile soil. If we bear fruit, it is proof that we
have listened.” (Life application Bible commentary)
2. Care and thought needs to be put into the task of hearing the word of the kingdom
until it has taken proper root.
3. Good soil bears fruit. It yields a harvest.
2
3
QUESTIONS:
What soil do you identify with? Are there places where you are seeing, but not perceiving (recognizing) and
hearing, but not understanding?
Is there an area that you haven’t turned over to God? What would it look like for you to turn your heart
towards him?
Is there something that God is asking you to give up in order to fully receive Him? Would you be willing to give
up all to have it?
REFERENCES:
Barton, Bruce B. etc all. Life Application Bible Commentary: Matthew. Wheaton: Tyndale, 1996.
Blomberg, Craig L. The New American Commentary: Matthew. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1992.
Brown, Jeannine K. Teach the Text Commentary Series: Matthew. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2015.
France, R.T. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: Matthew. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1985.
Green, Michael. The Series Speaks Today: The Message of Matthew. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press,
1988.
Keener, Craig S. The IVP New Testament Commentary Series: Matthew. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press,
1997.
Wakabayaski, Allen Mitsuo Kingdom Come: How Jesus Wants to Change the World. Downers Grove:
InterVarsity Press, 2003.
Wright, Tom. Matthew For Everyone: Part 1 Chapters 1-15. Westminster: John Knox Press, 2004.