THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Chapter 13: The Parable Discourse
With chapter 13 we have come to the third of the five discourses and to the middle of the Gospel. Our first read shows us that there are seven parables in this discourse; it will have given us an idea of their themes.
The concluding phrase in 13,53 is similar to the other discourses but it has been adapted for the discourse by the evangelist. This time he ends: "when Jesus had finished all these parables". The discourse also opens with Jesus "telling them many things in parables (13,3). Parables are the theme therefore.
For our purposes, we can say that a parable is a saying, an image or a story which calls us to ponder and reflect. Except for the first parable, the common word begining all these parables is "like". The discourse of chapter 13 will show us that there is a considerable variety among these parables. Three of the parables are stories, the others come in two pairs which are short similies.
Whole books have been written on this subject. Many have the disadvantage that the parables are treated outside their setting in the Gospel. Much discussion about parables has been especially concerned about which parables go back to Jesus himself. Our purpose here is simple: we are reading the parables as we find them in the Gospel.
We begin therefore with the very distinctive setting of this discourse.
We can see that 13,1 is connected to what precedes with a simple "on the same day". There is though a new setting as Jesus goes to the lake. At the end, 13,53 and 13,54 provide a transition to the next short scene, 13,54-58.
For chapter 14 there is a new beginning because Herod now appears on the scene (14,1).
What is noticeable as a result is that this discourse is "topped and tailed" by two similar incidents as we touched on when reading chapter 12. In the first (12,46-40) the concern is with Jesus' natural family, while the second at the end (13,54-58) tells us about his village family. Both episodes therefore concern those who have known Jesus all his life and now have difficulty accepting him. Acceptance or rejection of Jesus forms the background to these parables, seeking out those who belong to his family and do the will of his Father (12,50).
Return now as we take an overview of the discourse.
Overview of the Discourse
Comparing the parable discourses of Mark and Matthew gives us a good indication of Matthew's arrangement. All three synoptic gospels include the parable of the sower with the explanation and the interpretation (Mt 13,1-23 and Mk 4,1-20), though in Luke (Lk 8,4-15) the setting is rather different. This shows the importance of that parable. After that, from 12,24 Matthew goes his own way compared with Mark. The details are complicated but we can note the following parables and comments in the discourse are all special to Matthew, with the few exceptions noted.
- 13,24-30: wheat and darnel
- 13,31-32: mustard seed - also Mark & Luke
- 13,33: yeast - also Luke
- 13,34-35: comment - also Mark
- 13,36-43: explanation of wheat and darnel.
- 13,44-46: treasure and pearls
- 13,47-50: net and explanation
- 13,51-52: conclusion
The organisation which arises from this gives three parts to the discourse. The first is the parable of the sower and its explanation, 13,1-23. Matthew has taken this from common tradition.
The second and third parts both have a story parable with two similies, but in opposite order:
The second part, 13,24-43, has the parable of the wheat and darnel which is followed by the mustard seed and yeast before an explanation is given, 13,36-43.
The third part, 13,44-50, then has the parables of the treasure and pearls coming before that of the net and its explanation which are together, 13,47-50.
The expression "weeping and gnashing of teeth" (13,42.50) occurs five times in this Gospel. The theme of judgement is clear.
This organisation of the discourse neatly gives us a three page reading plan to fit the three parts: 13,1-23; 13,24-43; 13,44-53.
However, some commentators place great emphasis on Jesus leaving the crowds and entering the house in 13,36. They see it as the moment when Jesus leaves the old Israel and focuses his teaching on his disciples who will be the new Israel. This is not a reading I will be following as verse 36 begins "then". We have seen a number of times already this words connects two episodes. The crowd does continue to play a prominent part in the story of the Gospel. I also prefer to keep the parable of the wheat and darnel together with its explanation.
Now return to the main page to begin our reading of the chapter.