Matthew 13-15

Matthew 13

Parable of the Sower

• Four soils = four responses to the word (see below)
• Seed = “word of the kingdom” 

Why parables?

• Make known  to disciples
• Conceal from hardened hearts
• Quotation: Isaiah 6:9–10
• Seeing vs. actually perceiving 

Explanation of the Sower

Soils:

• Path: word rejected immediately
• Rocky: short-lived response, no root
• Thorns: choked by anxiety and wealth
• Good soil: receives, understands, and bears fruit

 Parable of the Weeds 

Wheat and weeds grow together until harvest

• Wheat = sons of the kingdom
• Weeds = sons of the evil one
• Harvest = final judgment
• Farmers couldn’t easily distinguish weeds (likely darnel) from wheat early on

Good and evil coexist now, but God will separate them at the end

Parable of the Mustard Seed 

A tiny seed grows into a large tree

• The kingdom starts small and unnoticed
• Grows into something large and influential
• Tree imagery often symbolizes kingdoms (Ezekiel 17)

Parable of the Leaven 

Leaven spreads through dough

• The kingdom works quietly and internally
• Its influence spreads until it affects everything
• God’s work is often hidden but powerful

Hidden Treasure & Pearl 

• Treasure hidden in a field
• A merchant finding a valuable pearl

The kingdom is of high value, worth giving up everything to obtain

Parable of the Net 

A net gathers all kinds of fish, then they are sorted

• Present: mixed group
• Future: final separation of righteous and wicked

 Scribe of the Kingdom 

A homeowner bringing out treasures new and old

• Disciples interpret both:
  • Old Testament truth
  • New in Christ

Jesus is rejected in His hometown. He did not do miracles because of their unbelief. 

Matthew 14

Herod Antipas executes John due to political pressure and a rash oath to his stepdaughter. The disciples buried his body. 

Feeding the 5,000 

Jesus feeds a large crowd with five loaves and two fish

• 12 baskets possibly symbolic of Israel
• Also healed the sick 
• 5,000 ate (only men counted)

Walking on Water

Disciples left on the boat. Jesus went to pray then walks on the sea.  Peter briefly joins Him but sinks. 

• “Truly you are the Son of God” 

Healings at Gennesaret 

• People are healed by touching Jesus’ garment

Matthew 15

Pharisees and scribes confront Jesus about His disciples:

• eating without  handwashing
•  tied to the “tradition of the elders” 
• Jesus responds by exposing their inconsistency:
  • they accuse others of breaking tradition but they themselves break God’s command
• He gives a specific example:
  • the “Corban” קָרְבָּן (qorbān) practice: declaring resources devoted to God so they cannot be used to care for parents
  • this allowed people to avoid the command to honor father and mother (Exod 20:12)
• Jesus quotes Isaiah 29:13 and calls them hypocrites
  • outward vs. inward heart

Jesus says:

• it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person
• but what comes out of the mouth
• The disciples later tell Him the Pharisees were offended
• Jesus responds:
  • false teachers are like blind guides leading others into a pit
• Peter asks for clarification and Jesus explains:
  • food passes through the body and is eliminated
  • but words come from the heart 
• He lists internal sources of defilement:
  • evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander

 The Canaanite Woman 

• Jesus withdraws to the region of Tyre and Sidon (now in Gentile territory)
• A Canaanite woman approaches Him and cries out:
  • “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David”
  • recognizing Him as Messiah (!)
• Jesus initially does not answer, and disciples urge Him to send her away
• Jesus states:
  • His mission is first to the lost sheep of Israel
  • it is not right to take children’s bread (Israel) and give it to dogs (Gentiles)
• Because of her faith, her daughter is healed instantly

Jesus moves along the Sea of Galilee

• Large crowds bring: lame, blind, crippled, mute
• He heals them all
• The crowd responds by glorifying the “God of Israel” 

 Feeding the 4,000 

• A large crowd has been with Jesus for three days with nothing to eat
• Jesus asks what they have:
  • seven loaves and a few small fish
• He:
  • gives thanks
  • breaks the bread
  • distributes through the disciples
• Everyone eats and is satisfied
• Seven baskets of leftovers are collected

Application

Jesus calls us to have a receptive heart to His Word. When we have a right relationship with God (not just outward religion), our heart is transformed. We must also have faith even in uncertainty.