Matthew - Week 39

The Purpose of Parables 

READ 

Matthew 13:13-14 

13 “That is why I use these parables, for they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand. 14 This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says, ‘When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend.’” 

Jesus explained to the disciples why He used parables. It was to hide truth from those who had willfully rejected hearing it. He quoted from Isaiah to support from the Hebrew Scriptures why He was speaking this way. 

REFLECT 

We don’t know when it will occur in a person’s life, but it seems if one willfully rejects the truth his mind will be blinded to any reasoning offered by others.  

RESPOND  

React with a friend about this. Read Proverbs 1:20-33 to see what Wisdom cries out to those who have refused to listen. 

Hardened People 

READ 

Matthew 13:15 

15 “‘For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes—so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’” 

This gives the reasons for Jesus speaking the way He did. The word “For” is often used in the sense of “because” and explains what has gone before it. The people had “closed their eyes” so now they will not see and hear. Neither will they understand. They refuse to turn to the Lord. 

REFLECT 

Remember this passage is a further explanation of why Jesus spoke in parables. 

RESPOND 

In your Bible study with a friend, examine some other passages where “for” is used in the sense of further explaining. See John 3:15-16; Romans 3:19-20, 22-23, 6:22-23, and Ephesians 2:13-14. 

Blessed Senses 

READ 

Matthew 13:16-17 

16 “But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. 17 I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.” 

Jesus told His listeners how blessed they were to be living at a time when they could see and experience what the prophets and righteous people in the past longed to see. He said those listening had eyes open to seeing and ears open to hearing. He was referring to more than physical hearing. Spiritual seeing and hearing were the most important.  

REFLECT 

How is it with you? Are your spiritual eyes and ears open to seeing and hearing the things spoken in the Bible? 

RESPOND 

Pray with a friend that God will open your eyes to see spiritual truths in the Bible. Check Psalm 119:18 as an example.  

The Seeds Explained 

READ 

Matthew 13:18-19 

18 “Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: 19 The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts.” 

Jesus had explained why He spoke in parables and then He explained the parable of the sower that He had just told. The first example had to do with the seed that fell on the path that represented those who heard the word but did not understand it. This allowed Satan to snatch away what had been planted in their hearts. Notice, it is necessary not only to hear, but to understand the message.  

REFLECT 

Do you also make it your desire not only to engage in the Bible but also to understand it? This could be called “Biblical literacy” when it is true in your life. 

RESPOND 

As you and a friend meet to read and study the Bible, pray for understanding of its truths. Read Colossians 1:9-10 to see that Paul prayed for believers to have “spiritual wisdom and understanding.” 

Lack of Roots 

READ 

Matthew 13:20-21 

20 “The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 21 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.” 

Jesus moved from explaining what was meant by the seed falling on the path to that which fell on rocky soil. Notice that the message was received with joy. Anyone observing would have thought these were genuine believers because of the way they responded to the message. Not so. When problems and persecution for receiving the message came they revealed their hearts had not been changed.  

REFLECT 

How was it with you? After you gladly received the message did you reveal you were a genuine believer by a changed life? 

RESPOND 

With a friend, return to Matthew 7:15-17 to read what Jesus said about assessing people by the fruit their lives are producing. Also read Galatians 5:22-23 to see the fruit that is produced by true believers in Jesus.