1. The Parables of the Kingdom
Lesson 4.2
Matthew 13

2. Kingdom of Heaven Parables (Matthew 13)

3. Why Parables?
Jesus had been rejected by Israel as a nation, and was now constructing a new people out of his followers.
From this point on, Jesus regularly spoke in parables. Why?
Matt. 13: Jesus spoke this way so that his followers would understand what he was saying, but the truth would be hidden from those who rejected him.
Parable: “short, simple story used to teach a moral or spiritual principle.”

4. The Kingdom of Heaven?
God has been in the “kingdom business” since Genesis.
Man was supposed to rule over the earth, but Adam messed it up.
Whatever “kingdom of heaven” means, it definitely isn’t man-made earthly kingdoms (before Noah through Babel, etc.)
**It’s the Kingdom “of” Heaven, not Kingdom “in” Heaven.
The focus is heavenly rule on earth (Matt. 6:10)

5. Parables
By speaking in parables, Jesus was fulfilling an OT prophecy (Psalm 78:2).
Parables were historical; Jesus was helping the disciples transition from Israel the nation to a new group made up of his disciples.
Principles of interpreting parables:
1. Jesus used parables to explain how the history of Israel had led up to Israel’s rejection of Jesus.
Jesus is the main character in many parables.

6. Parables Principles of Interpreting parables:
2. Many parables begin with “the kingdom of heaven is like...” but this doesn’t mean the parable is a picture of the kingdom as a whole.
3. The parables are interdependent (one parable will help you figure out what another parable means).
Also, any examples or elements used in multiple parables will usually mean the same thing in each one.