Honesty and humility are key.
Matthew set up the pattern. Seven enigmatic statements in a row. These are the Mysteries of the Kingdom. Then with those seven, he mercifully decided to give us two explanations from the mouth of Jesus, yet purposefully/curiously left five unexplained. He also tells us that the disciples needed these explanations; that they couldn't understand them without Jesus' interpretation (It would be impossible to overemphasize this point).
7 enigmas + 2 explanations is obviously an incomplete pattern; logically there should have been seven explanations that followed rather than only two. Where are the other 5 explanations?
What does the pattern in Matthew 13 suggest?
1. That each of the seven has a distinct meaning/parallel. If the first two are an example, then the following five are also very allegorical in nature - just as Jesus had allegorically interpreted the other two - requiring specific correlations/specific meanings for each part.
2. That the explanations were given only for the disciples as Matthew clearly shows us that they are the ones who receive them and the multitudes are left out. Jesus Himself, verbalizes this point in 13:11. The Mysteries are only taught within the rabbi/disciple relationship.
A quick aside: Hebrew teaching methods were vastly different than ours are today. Their teachers were adept at using incomplete patterns like the 7 + 2 (mysteries and difficult sayings as well) to draw the student in; to purposefully create a puzzle that needed to be solved by the willing, diligent, inquisitive student. Because we westerners are so used to an information based teaching method - mostly lecture - we can't imagine such. When we see something that is missing we naturally assume either it was a mistake, being accidentally left out, or so elemental that we didn't need it. But the Hebrew teachers left patterns incomplete to gage interest in those who heard/read, to draw the interested student into the equation and learn rather than being pedantically taught. What many label as inconsistencies in the Ancient Hebrew Text are nothing more than clever and elaborate invitations to investigate; to learn. These 'inconsistencies' were knowingly/purposefully placed within the text to give the reader a choice. Pass this over, label it a mistake, deem it too difficult, or 'come in', search and find the key to this mystery. The choice reveals the worthiness of the student. I cannot praise their methods enough.
3. That obtaining the Mysteries of the Kingdom was not easy/free. Each person who heard the enigmas on the seashore that day was naturally given a choice. They could either let Jesus walk away (returning then to their own 'kingdoms') or if they were interested enough in this Kingdom of Heaven, they could follow and obtain the meanings of the mysteries for themselves; but only as disciples.
What Jesus withheld on the seashore was intended to pique their curiosity.
What Matthew withheld is intended to pique yours. Matthew purposefully follows in Jesus' footsteps.
The Kingdom Parables |
Their Explanations |
"Behold, the sower went out to sow; and as he sowed, some {seeds} fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. And others fell upon the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. And others fell on the good soil, and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear." (Matthew 13:3b-8, NAS) |
"When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, the evil {one} comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. And the one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word, and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no {firm} root in himself, but is {only} temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit, and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty." (Matthew 13:19-23, NAS) |
"The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares also among the wheat, and went away. But when the wheat sprang up and bore grain, then the tares became evident also. And the slaves of the landowner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?' And he said to them, 'An enemy has done this!' And the slaves said to him, 'Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?' But he said, 'No; lest while you are gathering up the tares, you may root up the wheat with them. Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn."'" (Matthew 13:24b-30, NAS) |
"The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, and the field is the world; and {as for} the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil {one;} and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels. Therefore just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. (Matthew 13:37b-42, NAS) |
"The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all {other} seeds; but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches." (Matthew 13:31a-32, NAS) |
No Explanation |
"The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three pecks of meal, until it was all leavened." (Matthew 13:33b, NAS) |
No Explanation |
"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field.” (Matthew 13:44, NAS) |
No Explanation |
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” (Matthew 13:45-46, NAS) |
No Explanation |
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering {fish} of every kind; and when it was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down, and gathered the good {fish} into containers, but the bad they threw away. So it will be at the end of the age; the angels shall come forth, and take out the wicked from among the righteous, and will cast them into the furnace of fire; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 13:47-50, NAS) |
No Explanation |
So where are the other five explanations?
To be continued.
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