Matthew 13:24-51

Mark 4:21-34

Jesus taught more parables at this time about the Kingdom of Heaven.  Each of these parables explains at least one aspect of God’s Kingdom.  God’s Kingdom on earth is his Church, made up of all His followers.  Together, these stories help us build our understanding of the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Candle

Mark 4:21-25

Here Jesus taught a very short parable that was not much of a story, but it carries meaning.  He asked whether a candle would be purchased and then put under a basket or under a bed and not on a candlestick?  The answer is obvious that a candle belongs on a candlestick where the candle can give light to everything around it.

Jesus said that nothing will remain hidden or secret; everything will become known.  Jesus told them that if they have ears to hear, then they should hear what he has to say.  In other words, Jesus will teach them things that have been hidden to their understanding if they will pay attention.

Jesus said that to those who hear, more will be given.  He was preparing these listeners for His further teachings.  Those who listen, pay attention, and seek understanding, will gain understanding.  Those who do not will lose what little understanding they have.

What do you think

• Why would God give more of His word to those who receive it?
• If we don’t pay attention to Jesus’ words, how would we lose understanding?

The Wheat and the Tares

Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43

In this parable, a man planted wheat in his field, but while he slept, an enemy came and planted tares among the good seeds.  When the plants started to grow, the servants of the man found that there were weeds growing among the wheat.

It is possible that the tares in the story is ryegrass, which looks very much like wheat in the early stages of growth.  It was actually against Roman law to plant ryegrass in someone’s wheat field.

The servants asked the man if they should try to pull out the tares.  He instructed them to leave them for now, because pulling them out now may harm the wheat.  Later, when both were mature, the servants would be able to identify each, gathering the wheat into the barn and also bundling the tares to be burned.

Sometimes Jesus taught his disciples the meaning of his parables.  He did teach the meaning of this one. The field represents the world; the wheat is who Jesus called “the children of the kingdom” and the tares are the “children of the wicked one.”  Jesus taught that at the end of the world, his followers will be saved while the followers of Satan shall be cast away. Jesus said that after they are separated, the righteous will “shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.”

What do you think?

• Jesus taught about the plan to not separate the wicked from the righteous until the end of the world. Why does God allow the wicked and righteous to both be in the world today?

The Grain of Mustard Seed

Matthew 13:31-32

Mark 4:30-32

This parable is very short and simple, with many possible teachings.  The Bible recorded this parable like this:

The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

The Mustard Tree by Denise Hoe

At this time, the number of Jesus’ followers was relatively small.  Compared to everyone on earth, the number was very, very small.  Just as a mustard seed starts very, very small, it grows into something much larger.  It is amazing to think how something that started so small has become so wonderful.

Another aspect of the kingdom of God that this parable teaches is the way His kingdom is built by the followers of Jesus doing many small, simple things, and not so much by people doing a few great things. 

Later, Jesus taught that if we have just a small amount of faith, even as much as a grain of mustard seed, we can see miracles happen.  Jesus wants us to understand the amazing power of small and simple things.

What do you think?

• How did the number of Jesus’ followers go from a small number in a small area of the world to what it is today?
• What are some examples of the power of small and simple things?

The Leaven

Matthew 13:33

The parable of the leaven is also very short and simple with more than one appropriate meaning:

The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

This short parable can be thought of as another example of small and simple things making a big difference.  This parable can also be a way to compare Jesus’ followers to yeast, or leaven: although relatively small compared with the rest of the world, great good can be done by this small group.  The entire world can be better because of a few people doing good.

What do you think?

• What examples have you seen of a few people doing good that has tremendous impact?

The Treasure Hidden in the Field  and The Pearl of Great Price

Matthew 13:44-46

The two parables of the treasure hidden in the field and the pearl of great price are very similar.  

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

In both of these parables, Jesus teaches that the gospel of Jesus Christ is more valuable than anything else in the world.  We should not let anything keep us from obtaining all the goodness the gospel can bring to us. Nothing else is as valuable as what Jesus offers us.

Some feel that Jesus was teaching specifically about the value of getting into heaven after we die.  Others feel that because the Kingdom of God on earth is Jesus’ church, we should do all we can now to have the incredible joy Jesus offers in our lives today and then also have the joy of heaven after this life.  If we have found the church of Jesus Christ and believe it to be the Kingdom of God on earth, we would value that beyond anything else in the world.

What do you think?

• What do you think Jesus offers us that is worth more than treasures and pearls?

The Net Cast into the Sea

Matthew 13:47-50

Jesus teaches another parable:

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:  which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.

In this parable, it seems that God’s kingdom does gather all it can, of all types of people.  Eventually, those good are kept by the Lord and those bad are not kept.

What do you think?

• Does it sound like just being gathered into God’s kingdom is enough?  Is there anything we need to do to make sure the Lord keeps us when the bad are cast away?

Previous:  Jesus Gives the Parable of the Sower

Next:  Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

Back to the Full List of Stories