Study notes
In the third major speech recorded by Matthew (see study note on Matthew 5:1–7:29), Jesus here recognized the separation of his followers from others (Matthew 13:14, 16). He began to reveal the secrets of the kingdom of heaven privately to them through parables.
When Jesus first began his work among the people of Israel, he spoke openly. He announced the kingdom of heaven and invited people to be part of it. But the religious leaders refused to accept his teaching. And many people in Israel doubted that Jesus really was the Messiah.
Because of this, Jesus changed the way he taught in Israel. He stopped speaking plainly and instead taught by telling stories called parables. This was the start of Jesus’ third long message. It was full of parables about God’s kingdom.
Jesus told the story about seeds in public to everyone. But he only explained it in private to his disciples. He explained that many people hear the message about the kingdom. Many of them refuse to understand it. Others hear Jesus’ message and obey him. They are like seeds that produce a good crop. Words and actions that accomplish what God wants are the good crop.
This parable (explained in Matthew 13:18–23) discusses the mostly negative reactions of the Jewish people to Jesus and his message.
Parables (Greek parabolē): These are stories that use everyday life to explain a spiritual truth. To understand a parable, find the main comparison (analogy) and consider its historical and gospel context. Then a person can understand the main message. Avoid finding unintended symbolic meanings in every part of a parable.
From this point on, Jesus rarely taught the general public. Instead, he focused on teaching those who had committed themselves to him (Matthew 13:1–20:34). But he would once again confront Israel (21:1–23:39).
The knowledge … has been given to you: God allowed the disciples to understand the importance of Jesus. God also allowed them to respond to the message of Jesus about the kingdom of heaven with faith and obedience (see 13:19, 23).
the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven: Salvation is available through Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament promises.
Jesus answered the disciples question in verse 10. He told them that the Jews' stubborn disbelief and rejection of him brought God's condemnation.
Jesus told parables, and those who believed him understood them. Yet, those who rejected Jesus found that his parables increased their disbelief.
Though seeing, they do not see … hear or understand: They lacked the faith to recognize the truth (Matthew 13:19, 23) and respond (Mark 8:18; John 12:40; see also Jeremiah 5:21).
Similar to the message of the prophet Isaiah, the message of Jesus has two effects:
It judges those who do not believe or obey, and
it creates a small group of faithful people who do the Lord's will (Matthew 21:43).
Jesus fulfilled what the prophets and Old Testament believers wanted to see and hear. He fulfills the Old Testament promises (see Isaiah 52:15; John 8:56; 1 Peter 1:10).
Does not understand it: Responding to God's message directly relates to understanding its importance.
Has no root, he remains for only a season: The issue is a lack of enduring faith and obedience (see Matthew 7:13–27; 10:22), especially when confronted by persecution.
Jesus talked about the competing demands in life (see also Matthew 8:18–22). The worries of life can become overwhelming and lead people away from faithful obedience (see 6:19–34). The temptation of wealth, especially its deceptive nature, is a common theme in Matthew (for example, 4:8–10; 6:24; 13:44–45). God values faith, obedience, and helping those in need more than wealth (for example, 19:21; 25:31–46).
Produces a crop: This probably refers to faithfully obeying the commands of Jesus (for example, Matthew 5:1–7:27; 28:20).
Matthew 13:36–43 explains this story.
Jesus’ stories taught about his work and the coming of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus’ work on earth didn’t stop evil everywhere all at once. Evil is allowed to remain along with God’s kingdom for now.
Later, judgement will come and evil will be destroyed. God’s kingdom starts in small ways. It grows and spreads through the whole world. All nations and all peoples can be part of it.
This way of understanding God’s kingdom is like a treasure. Some people recognise that Jesus is from God. They understand that his work brings God’s kingdom to earth. These people understand the value of this treasure.
Weeds, also known as tares or bearded darnel, look a lot like wheat. Farmers waited until the plants grew to tell them apart. Intentionally contaminating crops like this was against the law.
Jesus rebuked the sons of Zebedee for wanting to destroy villages that did not believe in him (Luke 9:54–55). He told his disciples not to seek revenge against enemies. Judgment is God's responsibility (see Matthew 7:1–5). Jesus urges his disciples to wait patiently for God's righteous judgment ("the harvest"; see Luke 13:6–9).
Jesus used surprising and vivid images in these parables. He probably wanted to show how the kingdom of Heaven would grow through preaching the good news. More probably, he wanted to highlight the contrast between small beginnings and a glorious end. He also encouraged the disciples to be patient (see also Matthew 16:24–17:13).
Usually, yeast refers to the influence of evil (for example, 16:6; 1 Corinthians 5:6; Galatians 5:9). But in this context it represents the positive and widespread influence of the kingdom of Heaven.
Even the way Jesus taught fulfilled prophecies from the Old Testament. Psalm 78:2–3 talks about sharing the history of God's revelation with future generations. What Jesus revealed in his teachings are the most important part of that history (Matthew 13:10–17; 1 Corinthians 2:7).
They went into the house (see Matthew 13:1). Jesus taught in public using parables, but he explained their meanings privately to his disciples.
Explain: The disciples had the special opportunity to learn the secrets of the kingdom (13:11–17). But they did not understand the parables until Jesus explained them.
These verses explain the parable from Matthew 13:24–30. The people of the kingdom (like wheat) live side by side with those who do not belong to it (like weeds). The “field” is the world, and this will continue until the end of history.
The mystery of the kingdom is that it is already present in the world, but God has not yet removed the wicked in judgment. The disciples of Jesus must learn patience and trust God’s timing.
The field is the world: The kingdom of heaven includes all nations (Matthew 28:16–20).
The sons of the kingdom are those who obey Jesus (13:11–17, 23; 21:43).
The harvest of judgment, which began with the first coming of the Son of Man (Matthew 3:12) will be completed when he returns (Revelation 14:14–16).
His kingdom: The rule of the Son of Man will be visible over everything at the "end of the age" (Matthew 13:40).
The righteous people will obey God's will as Jesus showed, unlike those "who practice lawlessness" (Matthew 13:41).
Treasure hidden in a field: People buried treasures to protect them from thieves and military enemies (Matthew 25:25).
in his joy: Those who find the kingdom of heaven experience more joy from it than any temporary pleasure can offer (see 1 Peter 1:8).
Another mystery of the kingdom of heaven (13:11) is that it is more valuable than any treasure. So, a person should give up everything to get it (see 19:21, 29; Philippians 3:7).
This parable is about God's judgment on the last day (Matthew 25:31–46). Then he will forever separate the wicked from the righteous. This warning emphasizes the importance of the two earlier invitations to make a decision to trust Jesus.
Understanding the secrets of the kingdom of heaven is a gift from God (Matthew 13:10–17, 23).
A teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the kingdom of God changes allegiance. He now looks to Jesus as the way of salvation.
new treasures as well as old: This order shows that the new covenant brought by Jesus takes first place. It is greater than the old covenant that God gave through Abraham and Moses (Matthew 5:17–20; 19:16–22).
People in Jesus’ hometown didn’t understand how Jesus had so much wisdom. They didn’t understand how he had power to do miracles. They were angry about Jesus and refused to believe that he came from God.
At the same time, Jewish and Roman leaders were angry at John the Baptist. John had spoken against Herod Antipas for being unfaithful to the Mount Sinai covenant. Herod put John in prison and later had John’s head cut off.
Both John and Jesus were treated without honour or respect for sharing God’s message.
That Jesus was rejected at home is part of the ongoing theme of the Messiah’s rejection by his own people (see chapter Matthew 12; 15:1–20; 16:1–12).
carpenter’s son: a carpenter (literally, craftsman) worked with his hands in wood, metal, or stone.
They felt very insulted. Focusing on the ordinary social status of Jesus (John 6:42), they missed his unique importance.
To understand the message of Jesus (13:10–17) and experience his miracles, you need faith.
Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources