Mateus 13
Leon Morris · Citado em PreceptAustin
Mateus 13
Morris explains that Jesus "has just drawn attention to the importance of God’s gifts of grace, and he now emphasizes the importance of human responsibility. When anyone uses the spiritual truth he has, that truth grows. More is added to it....The principle is capable of application in many areas of life (the achievement of sports people, for example). But Jesus was not speaking of such areas; he was referring to a spiritual truth of permanent importance." (BORROW The Gospel according to Matthew) This axiomatic truth reminds me of the old phrase "Use it or lose it!" This truth is repeated in Matthew 25:29 "For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away." The NLT has "To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away." (Mt 25:29NLT). R T France comments that "We have a similar saying: “Nothing succeeds like success.” It is a maxim drawn from the world of trade, and sums up all too well the capitalist system of economics and its effects on the “have-not” part of our modern world. But here it is not used literally. In the matter of spiritual perception too both gain and loss are compounded; it is the disciples, to whom the secret has already been given, who are now in a position to benefit from further teaching. Once you have started on the road of spiritual enlightenment, the blessings multiply, but those who do not accept the “message of the kingdom” will lose everything." (BORROW The Gospel of Matthew) Plummer has an interesting way to look at this passage stating that "the purpose is educational to disciples, and disciplinary to those who refuse to become disciples." NET Note - The meaning is that the one who accepts Jesus' teaching concerning his person and the kingdom will receive a share in the kingdom now and even more in the future, but for the one who rejects Jesus' words, the opportunity that that person presently possesses with respect to the kingdom will someday be taken away forever. 🙏 THOUGHT - There is a personal application to us in that we are each responsible to use our gifts for the glory of God, lest they wither and atrophy (so to speak) from disuse (or even worse, from abuse). But whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him - As the disciple's eyes were opened more and more to God's plan of redemption for the world and the Gentiles, the Jews became more and more blinded to the truth about Jesus, thus "sealing their doom for the entire church age." (Phillips) Bruce Barton echoes
Mateus 13
Morris says "They will not understand what they are hearing, which evidently means that they will have their minds so made up and will be so set in their ways that when they hear the word of God that challenges them to new thinking and new ways of living they simply do not understand it." (BORROW The Gospel according to Matthew) I would go one step further than Morris -- since they have refused to hear, God gave them over so that they could no longer hear! This is "divine deafness." This is exactly what Jesus had said would happen in Mt 13:12, the NLT version explaining "for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them." Understand (4920)(suniemi from sun/syn = with + hiemi = send; Related noun sunesis) literally means to send together or bring together. The idea is to put together "pieces of the puzzle" (so to speak) and to exhibit quick comprehension. What are the "pieces?" Well, in regard to Messiah, there are over 300 messianic prophecies that without a doubt pointed clearly to Jesus as their Messiah! And yet the Jews simply could not "put the pieces together!" Their refusal to believe the voice of their prophets, led to failure to understand the truth about the Messiah. NOTE: suniemi is a key word in Matthew 13 occurring 6 times (24% of all NT uses), so clearly Matthew 13 that reveals the Kingdom of God (see resources) in parables is either understood or not understood, depending on how one responds to Jesus and the Word of Gospel. All uses of suniemi - Matt. 13:13; Matt. 13:14; Matt. 13:15; Matt. 13:19; Matt. 13:23; Matt. 13:51; Matt. 15:10; Matt. 16:12; Matt. 17:13; Mk. 4:12; Mk. 6:52; Mk. 7:14; Mk. 8:17; Mk. 8:21; Lk. 2:50; Lk. 8:10; Lk. 18:34; Lk. 24:45; Acts 7:25; Acts 28:26; Acts 28:27; Rom. 3:11; Rom. 15:21; 2 Co. 10:12; Eph. 5:17 YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE - Seeing is blepo in the present tense, this verb meaning that the Jews continually saw Jesus with their eyes wide open, seeing Him with perception (miraculous healings, etc) and yet the paradox is they would not (double negative = ou me = absolutely not) be able to perceive Who He was! This is divine discipline! So as with hearing, this passage describes divine blindness which makes the Jews unable to see the truth about the Messiah in the abundant Messianic Prophecies in their Scriptures. John Broadus on the citation from Isa 6:9-10 which exactly follows the Septuagint and "which departs from the Hebrew in only one important particular. The prophet is directed to rebuke the people for their insensibilty to God’s cause; and though that criminal insensibility would be increased by his message, he is yet to proclaim the message. Accordingly he is told (in the Heb.), “Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears dull and their eyes dim, lest,” etc. This bids him produce the effect by his message; not that such an effect was in itself desired by him or by Jehovah, but because his message was going to be rejected and to have the effect described, and still he must proclaim it. The Septuagint translators understood the Heb. differently, and rendered, “For this people’s heart has been made fat, and with their ears they have heard heavily, and their eyes they have closed,” etc. This, as sufficiently expressing the general idea of the passage (comp. on Mt 3:3), is retained by Matt. here, and also by Luke in Acts 28:26ff. John 12:40 refers to the same passage, and puts it, ‘He hath blinded their eyes and he hardened their heart,’ etc., i.e., God has done so—a rendering which gives the same idea as the Hebrew. So likewise the expressions in Mark 4:12 and Luke 8:10 correspond not to the Septuagint, but to the Hebrew. The insensibility of the people may be variously conceived of, as the result of their own willful opposition, or as a judgment already actually inflicted on them by God, or as a judgment which would follow their rejection of the prophet’s message. God is continually punishing men by that which is the natural result of their own misconduct in violating the natural laws which he has established. The prophet’s expression ‘make the heart fat’ involves the image of a heart enveloped in fat, and thus less sensitive to impressions, and less lively in its movement, with a resulting dullness of the senses, so that it strikingly represents a dull, stupid, and insensible mind. We have seen on Mt 6:21 that the heart is constantly used in Scripture as the seat of both intelligence, sensibility, and will. “Fat as to intellect,” “fat as to understanding,” are phrases of classic Greek (Grimm) (Matthew 13 Commentary) Matthew 13:15 FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES, OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.’ NET Matthew 13:15 For the heart of this people has become dull; they are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes, so that they would not see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.' GNT Matthew 13:15 ἐπαχύνθη γὰρ ἡ καρδία τοῦ λαοῦ τούτου, καὶ τοῖς ὠσὶν βαρέως ἤκουσαν καὶ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῶν ἐκάμμυσαν, μήποτε ἴδωσιν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς καὶ τοῖς ὠσὶν ἀκούσωσιν καὶ τῇ καρδίᾳ συνῶσιν καὶ ἐπιστρέψωσιν καὶ ἰάσομαι αὐτούς. NLT Matthew 13:15 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.' KJV Matthew 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. ESV Matthew 13:15 For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.' NIV Matthew 13:15 For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.' ASV Matthew 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest haply they should perceive with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should turn again, And I should heal them. CSB Matthew 13:15 For this people's heart has grown callous; their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; otherwise they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn back-- and I would cure them. NKJ Matthew 13:15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.' NRS Matthew 13:15 For this people's heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn-- and I would heal them.' YLT Matthew 13:15 for made gross was the heart of this people, and with the ears they heard heavily, and their eyes they did close, lest they might see with the eyes, and with the ears might hear, and with the heart understand, and turn back, and I might heal them. NAB Matthew 13:15 Gross is the heart of this people, they will hardly hear with their ears, they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and be converted, and I heal them.' NJB Matthew 13:15 This people's heart has grown coarse, their ears dulled, they have shut their eyes tight to avoid using their eyes to see, their ears to hear, their heart to understand, changing their ways and being healed by me. GWN Matthew 13:15 These people have become close-minded and hard of hearing. They have shut their eyes so that their eyes never see. Their ears never hear. Their minds never understand. And they never return to me for healing!' BBE Matthew 13:15 For the heart of this people has become fat and their ears are slow in hearing and their eyes are shut; for fear that they might see with their eyes and give hearing with their ears and become wise in their hearts and be turned again to me, so that I might make them well. heart - Ps 119:70 = Their heart is covered with fat (Lxx = tupoo = curdled, coagulated, made like cheese!), But I delight in Your law. (commentary) ears - Zec 7:11 Joh 8:43,44 Ac 7:57 2Ti 4:4 Heb 5:11 their eyes - Isa 29:10-12 44:20 2Th 2:10,11 and return - Ac 3:19 2Ti 2:25,26 Heb 6:4-6 and I would heal them - Isa 57:18 Jer 3:22 17:14 33:6 Ho 14:4 Mal 4:2 Mk 4:12 Rev 22:2 Matthew 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE HEART OF ISRAEL'S PROBLEM! The heart of Israel's problem was the problem of their heart. And this is the root of the problem for all who have the seed of the Word continually sown and yet continually reject it. What they have will be taken away as Jesus stated proverbially in Matthew 13:12! As shown below Matthew is quoting from Isaiah, specifically when the prophet was called to speak forth words of warning and judgment and comfort to Israel. God told Isaiah that although he was to go and speak truth to Israel, the nation would not hear him and would not repent and return to the Lord. How would you like it if you felt a call to minister and God told you that you minister would fail to see any fruit! That's the message Isaiah heard! And that is the message Jesus speaks to the nation of Israel because they rejected the truth He spoke and so clearly demonstrated. His light could not have shown brighter, and yet because of the veil over the eyes of Israel's heart they could not see Him for Who He really was and for why He had really come! Paul quotes this same passage to the Jews in Rome who resisted his presentation of the Gospel. Luke records this event at the end of the book of Acts which is apropos for it was like a harbinger of the hard hearted response of the majority of Jews for the next 20 centuries (and more if Jesus should tarry!). And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, 26 saying, ‘GO TO THIS PEOPLE AND SAY, “YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; AND YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE; 27 FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES; OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES, AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.”’ 28 “Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen.” (Acts 28:25-28+) FOR (gar) is a term of explanation, explaining why the Jews had a problem with their ears and eyes as described in Mt 13:14. "Thus parables both conceal or reveal depending on whether one is open to hearing what they teach." (NET) THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL - The heart is the control center of a person, the locus of one's thoughts (mind), volition (will), emotions and knowledge of right and wrong (conscience)! This people is a reference to the nation of Israel, for almost the entire nation had rejected Jesus as their Messiah. Become dull is in the aorist tense which describes a past historical event. This dullness had occurred! Jesus had been ministering for over a year and the nation had rejected Him. O yes, this people loved His miraculous healings and exorcisms but failed to receive Him and thus failed to understand that these miracles were like giant blinking billboard signs in Times Square in New York City pointing to Jesus clearly announcing 'THIS MAN IS YOUR MESSIAH! THIS MAN IS YOUR MESSIAH!" Notice also that has become dull is passive voice which in context is clearly the so-called divine passive. In other words the dullness of their heart was judicial divine judgment for their willful rejection of the light they had been privileged to receive. Become dull is also the first word in Greek for emphasis! Stephen spoke of the dull hearts in his bold sermon (which got him stoned to death) declaring "You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart (CF DULL HEARTS) and ears are always resisting (antipipto in present tense = continually rushing against, striving against, opposing) the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did." (Acts 7:51+) Heart (2588)(kardia) is always used figuratively in Scripture to refer to the seat and center of human life. The heart is the center of the personality, and it controls the intellect, emotions, and will. No outward obedience is of the slightest value unless the heart turns to God. Kardia refers not to the physical organ (over 800 mentions and none refer to the physical organ!), but is always used figuratively to center of our personality, to so to speak to our "control center" (to make a play on the "air traffic control center" at the airport which carefully guards and guides what flies in and what flies out. How applicable to our "hearts" which are so prone to wander!). In short kardia refers to the the affective center of our being wherein lies the capacity of moral preference and volitional desire. The kardia generates thoughts that make the decisions which the mind works out. In other words, our logic flows out of our heart-decisions and not vice versa. Gleason Archer called the kardia, the "desire-producer that makes us tick" for it is the place where our "desire-decisions" occur, and which establish who we really are. WHO ARE YOU? HAVE YOU HAD A HEART CHECK UP RECENTLY? We are assiduous to do this medically, but woefully lax in doing it spiritually (beloved, I speak from experience!). At regeneration God reverses the spiritual atherosclerosis of our old sinful heart by giving us a total heart transplant! Daily confession and repentance are thereafter necessary to avoid "spiritual atherosclerosis" and gradual, subtle hardening (and becoming cold to the things of God) of our heart! (Read and practice daily "preventative maintenance" = 1 Jn 1:9+, Pr 28:13+). Kardia in Matthew - Matt. 5:8; Matt. 5:28; Matt. 6:21; Matt. 9:4; Matt. 11:29; Matt. 12:34; Matt. 12:40; Matt. 13:15; Matt. 13:19; Matt. 15:8; Matt. 15:18; Matt. 15:19; Matt. 18:35; Matt. 22:37; Matt. 24:48; Dull (3975)(pachuno from pachus = dull) mean to thicken, to fatten and figuratively to make dull. Friberg = " literally make fat, thicken; figuratively make impervious, insensitive, dull; only passive in the NT become dull or insensitive, be unable to understand." Only other use is Acts 28:27. Uses 5 verses in the Septuagint - Dt. 32:15 "Jeshurun (Term of affection for Israel) grew fat and kicked,-- you are grown fat (Lxx = pachuno)" ; 2 Sam. 22:12; Eccl. 12:5; Isa. 6:10; Isa. 34:6 Here is the use in Isaiah 6:10 = “Render the hearts of this people insensitive," (Lxx = pachuno) where "render....insensitive" is a command. This is clearly judicial hardening. Notice that Matthew quotes Isaiah 6:10+ from the Septuagint (not the Hebrew text) Septuagint (Greek) of Isaiah 6:10 - ἐπαχύνθη γὰρ ἡ καρδία τοῦ λαοῦ τούτου καὶ τοῖς ὠσὶν αὐτῶν βαρέως ἤκουσαν καὶ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῶν ἐκάμμυσαν μήποτε ἴδωσιν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς καὶ τοῖς ὠσὶν ἀκούσωσιν καὶ τῇ καρδίᾳ συνῶσιν καὶ ἐπιστρέψωσιν καὶ ἰάσομαι αὐτούς (Isa 6:10 BGT) Greek of Matthew 13:15 - - - - - - ἐπαχύνθη γὰρ ἡ καρδία τοῦ λαοῦ τούτου, καὶ τοῖς ὠσὶν βαρέως ἤκουσαν καὶ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῶν ἐκάμμυσαν, μήποτε ἴδωσιν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς καὶ τοῖς ὠσὶν ἀκούσωσιν καὶ τῇ καρδίᾳ συνῶσιν καὶ ἐπιστρέψωσιν καὶ ἰάσομαι αὐτούς. (Mat 13:15 BGT) WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR (akouo) - Scarcely is the Greek word bareos which means with difficulty ("to hear heavily with the ears") and thus in context means they were "hard of hearing." And in context the word hear implies to heed, to pay close attention to something and respond in conformity to what is heard! They heard Jesus' "sound waves" but did not truly receive the Savior's words! Hear is aorist tense (past completed action) but this time is active voice indicating they made a deliberate, willful, volitional choice not to receive Jesus' words. It is as if Jesus was broadcasting beautiful music for the soul (the ultimate "soul music"!) on God's FM Band and they made the conscious choice to "tune their ears" to Israel's popular AM Band! AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES - Closed is kammuo meaning literally to shut one's eyes and as with the verb hear above closed is also in the aorist tense (past completed action) and active voice indicating a deliberate, willful, volitional choice not to receive Jesus' words. They were intentionally unwilling to learn and to evaluate fairly the words of Jesus and the Gospel. They refused to recognize Jesus as their Messiah! OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, HEAR (akouo) WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND (suniemi) WITH THEIR HEART - The key word in this section is otherwise which is the Greek word mepote which means "lest" which means "so as to prevent any possibility that" or "with the intention of preventing something." A T Robertson offers a sobering comment that "This negative purpose (mepote) as a judgment is left in the quotation from Isaiah. It is a solemn thought for all who read or hear the word of God." Understand was mentioned in Mt 13:14 and is the word suniemi which is a picturesque word meaning to put together the pieces as one would a puzzle. Because of their repeated rejection, they will be prevented from putting together the priceless puzzle entitled "THE MESSIAH!" Notice that understanding that heals is not intellectual (in the mind) but is in the heart (cf Lydia in Acts 16:14+). A lot of people know Jesus intellectually (cf Mt 7:21-22+) but have never truly received Him as Lord in their hearts (Ro 10:9-10+) and they will be sadly surprised and shocked when they hear His decree announcing their eternal doom "I never knew you. Depart from Me, you who (habitually - because their heart had never changed) practice lawlessness!" (Mt 7:23+). THOUGHT - Dear reader, are you reading these words of warning and yet stubbornly refusing to accept them, but instead choosing to reject them as foolishness? If so, rest assured that your eternal destiny will prove you to be the far greater fool! You would be wise to hear and heed the words of Jesus Who 2000 years ago declared that "the time is fulfilled (HE WAS THE FULFILLMENT!) and the Kingdom of God (see resources) is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel!" (Mark 1:15+) Both verbs in red are commands in the present imperative which means they can only be obeyed by willingly submitting to the wooing of the Holy Spirit (See discussion of the Need for the Holy Spirit to obey NT commands). The upshot is "Do not resist the Spirit when you sense He is calling you to come to Jesus for salvation!" As these passages show, He may not always strive with you forever (Genesis 6:3) and continue to call you to Jesus (Mt 11:28-30+) and as a result your heart may become dull to the Gospel! Ponder 2 Cor 6:2! Do it today! AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM - This is what could have been Israel's experience, had they not continued to reject Jesus' words! "What could have been" will be the tragic lament of many in the eternal fires of hell! Return (1994)(epistrepho from epí = motion toward + strepho = twist, turn quite around or reverse) means to revert, to turn about, to turn around, to turn toward, to return and figuratively to convert. The idea is a definite turn to God in conduct as well as in one's mind. In the NT uses it is notable that return is frequently associated with the word for repentance. No repentance, no conversion! Heal (cure) (2390)(iaomai) means to cure, to heal, to restore. Iaomai is used literally of deliverance from physical diseases and afflictions and so to make whole, restore to bodily health or heal. Figuratively as in this passage iaomai speaks of deliverance from sin and its evil consequences and restoration to spiritual good health and wholeness, something that this passage says will not be available because of the dullness of Israel's heart. THOUGHT - As depressing as this passage is, praise God it does not sound the death knell for every Jewish person. All we have to do is study the life of one of the greatest Jewish men named Saul, who praise God met the Messiah, was blinded and made to see, and who turned around and was healed and re-named Paul the apostle! Amazing grace indeed! And praise God that many Jews in our day are having a similar "Saul to Paul" experience. If you would like a wonderful blessing, take time to watch and listen to this Jewish doctor (which is close to my heart as I continually pray for the soul of my dearest Jewish doctor friend who was my partner for over 30 years). Watch and listen. (For more encouraging videos see here and also see the main website One for Israel). Luke records a striking illustration of the fulfillment of this prophecy in his description of Stephen's sermon to the religious leaders in Jerusalem - "But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears (THEY DID NOT WANT TO HEAR HIS CONVICTING WORDS!) and rushed at him with one impulse." (Acts 7:57+)
Mateus 13
Morris comments that "The crowds could so easily understand plain teaching on the kingdom in a political sense, but parables made this much more difficult." (BORROW The Gospel according to Matthew) Tasker - Jesus deliberately adopted the parabolic method of teaching at a particular stage in His ministry for the purpose of withholding further truth about Himself and the kingdom of heaven from the crowds, who had proved themselves to be deaf to His claims and irresponsive to His demands. Hitherto, He had used parables as illustrations, whose meaning was self-evident from the context in which they were spoken (e.g., Mt 6:24–27). From now onwards, when addressing the unbelieving multitude he speaks only in parables (34), which He interprets to His disciples in private.” (Quoted by Constable) B B Warfield helps us understand why Jesus began teaching the crowds in parables - He teaches in parables in order that He may teach; not in order that He may not teach (ED: WHAT DOES WARFIELD MEAN? RECALL THE TIME HE TAUGHT OPENLY IN NAZARETH AND IT AROUSED SUCH OPPOSITION THAT THEY TRIED TO KILL HIM - Lk 4:24-29+. OPPOSITION TO HIS TEACHING WAS BEGINNING TO "CRESCENDO" AS EMPHASIZED BY THE MOST RECENT BLASPHEMOUS ACCUSATION OF HIS BEING IN LEAGUE WITH BEELZEBUL OR SATAN! See Mt 12:27+, Mk 3:22+). This method of veiled teaching, in a word, is forced on Him by the conditions under which He is teaching and arises from the state of mind of His hearers (ED: MOST OF WHOM REJECTED HIS TRUTH); it is not chosen by Him in order to conceal His meaning, but in order to convey it to those for whom it is intended (ED: GOOD SOILS - THOSE WHO HAVE EARS TO HEAR - IN THE IMMEDIATE CONTEXT = HIS DISCIPLES - see Mk 4:34+). It is with Him either to teach thus or not to teach at all; and He consequently teaches thus (IN PARABLES). This is the fundamental doctrine of parabolic teaching. I do not say it is the whole account to be given of it; we may see in the sequel that there is more to say, and that the adoption of parabolic teaching has a punitive side (ED: SEE Mark 4:12+, cf NOTES ON SIMILAR TEACHING IN Mt 13:14-15+)—as, indeed, it could not fail to have—with reference to those who could and would not endure sound doctrine; whom it puzzled, therefore, rather than instructed. But this is the fundamental account of it. (Faith and Life) Robert Stein echoes Warfield's analysis writing Jesus "could teach about the coming of the kingdom of God, a most incendiary subject for Pilate and Rome, only through the riddle-like nature of his parables. For Herod and Pilate, Jesus’ parabolic teachings concerning the kingdom of God and its coming were not revolutionary. For them, they were simply incomprehensible. Thus they would not interfere with Jesus’s ministry until in God’s time “the hour had come” (cf. Mk 14:41)." (BECNT-Mk) It is worth noting that at the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7 Jesus presented what was essentially a parable or at least certainly a simple story but in this case He gave them the clear explanation, because it was a solemn warning (after one of the most frightening declarations of judgment in the entire Bible in Mt 7:21+, Mt 7:22-23+) and He did not conceal this truth from the people which was an act of His grace (undeserved favor) and mercy! Read this parabolic warning: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. 26 “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 “The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell–and great was its fall.” (Mt 7:24-27+) (COULD JESUS HAVE BEEN ANY CLEARER? AND YET MOST JEWS REFUSED TO ACT ON HIS WORDS!) The Great Storyteller Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them. —Matthew 13:34 Today's Scripture: Luke 15:11-24 In his book Teacher Man, Pulitzer Prize-winner Frank McCourt reflects on his 30 years as a teacher in New York City high schools. He used a variety of techniques in his English and creative writing classes, but one that seemed to surface again and again was the power of a compelling story to capture attention and encourage learning. This method of instruction was used by the greatest Teacher of all—the Lord Jesus Christ. The scholarly religious leader Nicodemus said to Jesus, “We know that You are a teacher come from God” (John 3:2). Yet when Jesus addressed the crowds that followed Him, He didn’t recite great truths of the Talmud. Rather, He spoke with the homespun style of a storyteller. The parables of Jesus endure because they showcase matters of the heart. Through the story of the Pharisee and tax collector (Luke 18), we learn about God’s grace and forgiveness. And the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15) showcases God’s love for repentant sinners. Take control of my words today, May they tell of Your great love; And may the story of Your grace Turn some heart to You above. —Sees A good way to learn God’s truth is to teach it to others. Matthew 13:35 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “I WILL OPEN MY MOUTH IN PARABLES; I WILL UTTER THINGS HIDDEN SINCE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.” Psalm 77:2 ἀνοίξω ἐν παραβολαῖς τὸ στόμα μου φθέγξομαι προβλήματα ἀπ᾽ ἀρχῆς (Psa 77:2 BGT) NET Matthew 13:35 This fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has been hidden from the foundation of the world." GNT Matthew 13:35 ὅπως πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος, Ἀνοίξω ἐν παραβολαῖς τὸ στόμα μου, ἐρεύξομαι κεκρυμμένα ἀπὸ καταβολῆς [κόσμου]. NLT Matthew 13:35 This fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet: "I will speak to you in parables. I will explain things hidden since the creation of the world. " KJV Matthew 13:35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. ESV Matthew 13:35 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world." NIV Matthew 13:35 So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world." ASV Matthew 13:35 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world. CSB Matthew 13:35 so that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: I will open My mouth in parables; I will declare things kept secret from the foundation of the world. NKJ Matthew 13:35 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: "I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world." NRS Matthew 13:35 This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet: "I will open my mouth to speak in parables; I will proclaim what has been hidden from the foundation of the world." YLT Matthew 13:35 that it might be fulfilled that was spoken through the prophet, saying, 'I will open in similes my mouth, I will utter things having been hidden from the foundation of the world.' NAB Matthew 13:35 to fulfill what had been said through the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation (of the world)." NJB Matthew 13:35 This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet: I will speak to you in parables, unfold what has been hidden since the foundation of the world. GWN Matthew 13:35 So what the prophet had said came true: "I will open my mouth to illustrate points. I will tell what has been hidden since the world was made." BBE Matthew 13:35 That it might come true which was said by the prophet, Opening my mouth, I will give out stories; I will give knowledge of things kept secret from before all time. This was to fulfill - Mt 13:14 21:4,5 I will open - Ps 78:2 I will utter - Ps 49:4 Isa 42:9 Am 3:7 Lu 10:14 Ro 16:25,26 1Co 2:7 Eph 3:5,9 Col 1:25,26 2Ti 1:9,10 Tit 1:2,3 Heb 1:1 1Pe 1:11,12 from - Mt 25:34 Joh 17:24 Ac 15:18 1Pe 1:20,21 Rev 13:8 17:8 Matthew 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Old Testament Quotation: Psalm 78:2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, Leon Morris - At this point Matthew inserts a characteristic appeal to prophecy. He finds not only individual events in Jesus’ life and ministry to be fulfillments of prophecy but also the parabolic method. (BORROW The Gospel according to Matthew) Mounce writes that "It is “prophetic” in the sense that the entire Old Testament points forward to the coming kingdom (ED: AND I WOULD ADD THE KING OF THAT KINGDOM)." (UBCS-Mt) This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet - This refers to Jesus' speaking in parables. Jesus' purpose was to demonstrate that He fulfill ed the OT prophecies and that He was indeed the Messiah for Whom the OT prophets were looking. The quote is from Psalm 78 which is entitled "A Maskil of Asaph" so clearly Asaph was considered a prophet by Jesus (cf seer in 2 Chr 29:30 where Lxx translates seer with prophetes; see also 1 Chr 25:2). Spoken through the prophet pictures the prophet as a "vessel" or "conduit" through which the Spirit spoke, using God's inspiration and the prophet's own words (cf 2 Pe 1:21+). Blomberg explains that "As with several of the quotations in the infancy narrative, this “fulfillment” is not an exegesis of the Old Testament text but a typological application. In the original psalm, Asaph was announcing to a new generation God’s mighty deeds in Israel’s past." (NAC-Mt) To fulfill (see note below) (4137)(pleroo) means to be filled (passive voice = saints acted on by outside force). To fulfill a prophecy, promise, etc. (Mt 1:22; 5:17; 13:35; 26:54, 56; Mk 14:49; Lk 9:31; 22:16; Jn 18:9, 32; 19:24, 36; Ro 13:8; Gal 5:14) Matthew repeatedly uses fulfill in regard to Old Testament prophecy being fulfilled (Mt 1:22+, Mt 2:15, 17, 23+; Mt 8:17+; Mt 12:17+; Mt 13:35+; Mt 21:4; Mt 26:54) Prophet (4396)(prophetes from próphemi = to tell beforehand from pró = before + phemí = speak) is primarily a forth-teller or one who speaks out God’s message, primarily to their own generation, usually always calling the people to God's truth for them at that moment, often using the phrase "Thus saith the Lord." The prophet is one who speaks before in the sense of proclaim, or the one who speaks for, i.e., in the Name of (God). Prophetes is someone who is specially endowed or enabled to receive and deliver direct revelation of God's will. John Broadus - Many of the Psalms are prophetic, and the Psalmist David is expressly called a prophet. (Acts 2:30+.) The writer of this Psalm is given by the heading as Asaph, and he in 2 Chron. 29:30 is called the seer, equivalent to prophet. (1 Sa 9:9.) The Psalm relates the history of Israel, and points out its lessons; but Israel was typical of the Messiah (see above on Mt 2:15+), and so the passage might contain a prophetic reference to him, which the inspired Evangelist informs us it did contain. He states it as a part of the divine purpose, in our Lord’s adoption of the parabolic method of instruction, that there should be a fulfillment of that prophetic saying. Unless we can show that there was no such prophetic relation, we must certainly accept the Evangelist’s statement. (Matthew 13 Commentary) I WILL OPEN MY MOUTH IN PARABLES (parabole) - I will open (anoigo) my mouth is similar to the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5:2+) when Jesus "opened (anoigo) His mouth and began to teach them, saying." The point is that Jesus' parabolic speech was a fulfillment of what Asaph had prophesied. David Turner comments on Psalm 78 writing that "In this lengthy psalm, Asaph the seer (1 Chr 25:2; 2 Chr 29:30) recounts the history of Israel for the next generation (Ps. 78:4). The psalm stresses Israel’s unbelief (Ps 78:8, 11, 17–22, 32–33, 36–37, 39–42, 56–58), which led to God’s discipline (Ps 78:21, 31–34, 59–64). In spite of this, God continues to manifest his faithfulness to Israel through powerful acts (Ps 78:4–7, 12–16, 23–29, 38–39, 42–55) and by choosing David to shepherd them (78:65–72). In Matthew’s view, Jesus is the son of David who fulfills the Davidic role as Israel’s ultimate shepherd (Mt. 1:1; Mt 9:36). His parables, like those of Asaph, portray Israel’s unbelief and God’s discipline, but more important, they stress God’s ongoing faithfulness to Israel through Jesus’s kingdom mission. Matthew 13:35 contains the second biblical-fulfillment citation of this discourse. The first demonstrates that the unbelief of many who see his deeds and hear his words is not unprecedented. The pattern of hard hearts and unbelief from Isaiah’s days is recurring in the days of Jesus. Israel" (See Matthew Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament) I WILL UTTER THINGS HIDDEN SINCE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD - I will utter means literally to spit or spew out as described below and in context speaks of sudden, emphatic copious speech in which one expresses something forcefully. This picks up the sense of the Hebrew verb "I will utter" in Ps 78:2, for this Hebrew verb (nava'/naba) conveys the sense of something pouring forth (Ps 19:2 = "Day to day pours forth speech"). The original Hebrew phrase translated "of old" usually signifies from antiquity, and in regard to the original subject of the Psalm (Israel) referred to the early history of the nation. Matthew quotes the Septuagint which reads "from the beginning." Hidden is perfect tense meaning hidden in the past and still hidden. What is hidden? In context in Mt 13:11+ Jesus declared to His disciples "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries (musterion) of the kingdom of heaven (note), but to them (cf "those who are outside" Mk 4:11+) it has not been granted (didomi is in the perfect tense = their state or condition)." Davies and Allison - Jesus’ parabolic manner of speaking is grounded in OT prophecy. Just as Jesus’ birth, childhood, ministry, and death are all foretold in the Scriptures, so too does the OT look forward to the Messiah uttering in parables mysteries hidden from the foundation of the world. Secondly, vv. 34f. serves, in a manner reminiscent of vv. 10–17, as a transition which notifies the reader of a switch in audience. Jesus at this juncture speaks not to the crowds and the disciples but to the disciples alone. He is turning away from those who do not understand and turning towards those who do. (ICC-Mt) Technical Note - The Greek of "I will open my mouth in parables" is "Ἀνοίξω ἐν παραβολαῖς τὸ στόμα μου." This is exactly the same as the Greek of the Septuagint of Ps 78:2 = ἀνοίξω ἐν παραβολαῖς τὸ στόμα μου. The second clause beginning with "I will utter..." in Greek is "ἐρεύξομαι (ereugomai) κεκρυμμένα ἀπὸ καταβολῆς [κόσμου]." This is not the same verb used in the Septuagint version of Ps 78:2 which reads "φθέγξομαι (see phtheggomai below) προβλήματα ἀπ᾽ ἀρχῆς." In sum I will utter in the Septuagint of Psalm 78:2 is phtheggomai and "I will utter" here in Matthew is ereugomai. I will utter (in Ps 78:2) (5350) (phtheggomai) means to sound a tone, speak with focus upon verbal sound rather than upon content. It is putting sounds together to communicate something to someone else. According to Rienecker phtheggomai is "especially used of a portentous prophetic utterance." Hiebert says this verb "was used chiefly of loud talk." Peter used it to describe Balaam's donkey speaking in the voice of a man (2Pe 2:16+ = "a mute donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet." How ironic a dumb beast speaking to Balaam, a spiritually perverted man.) Also used in Acts 4:18+ ("they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus") and 2 Pe 2:18+ (describing false teachers "speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality....") I will utter (2044)(ereugomai - only here) means literally to spit, to spue out, to eject through your mouth, to vomit, of oxen to bellow or roar. To cast forth like a river, gurgle, disgorge, the passion of a prophet. To announce in a sudden and emphatic manner with an implication of `blurting out.' Only used here in the NT. Fives uses in Septuagint (Lxx) - Lev 11:10 = "all the teeming life of the water"; Ps 19:2 = "Day to day pours forth speech"; Hos 11:10 = "roar like a lion"; Amos 3:4 = "Does a lion roar"; Amos 3:8 - "A lion has roared!". During the Koine period the word ereugomai simply meant “to tell, speak,” or “proclaim.” The earlier usage of the word was, however, much more forceful—“to belch, to vomit,” or “to spew out of the mouth” (of an oxen or other animal). In classical Greek, it was used for discharging, emptying, or casting forth, as when the sea casts foam when waves break on a shore.
Mateus 13
Morris - In any case Jesus is not dealing with the morality or the legality of the man’s action, but making the point that there can be treasure such that it is worth selling everything in order to possess it. So with membership in the kingdom. (BORROW The Gospel according to Matthew) Broadus comments - It seems idle to seek any special spiritual meaning in the re-hiding, or in the field, as that it means “the church,” or the Scriptures (Origen), or Christ, because of Col. 2:3. To run through the Bible with a concordance, and wherever there is mention of a treasure or a field connect it with this illustration, is a process fatal to sound interpretation and unworthy of sober sense. (Matthew 13 Commentary) And from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field - Note that this treasure brought joy (chara), which should be our response to knowing that by faith in Christ we have been granted entry into the Kingdom of Heaven (John 3:3-8+). If one sells all they have to buy something, then clearly they consider they are buying something that is extremely precious or valuable, in this case the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus is not saying we are to go and sell everything we own so we can buy our way into the Kingdom of Heaven. No man can merit the Kingdom of Heaven, for entry is a gift of God (cf Ro 6:23b+) to those who receive that gift by faith.They do not try to earn it nor buy it. The price of entry into the Kingdom of Heaven has been paid by the King Himself Who died on the Cross and in some of His last words assured all who would believe Him that the "price" had been "Paid in Full (tetelestai)." (Jn 19:30+), cause He had paid with the only "currency" God would accept, His sinless sacrifice (1 Pe 2:24+, 2 Cor 5:21+) and His "precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless." (1 Pe 1:18+). Leon Morris - Jesus is not saying that a man may buy his way into the kingdom; that would fly in the face of all his teaching. The selling of all he has is rather a way of bringing out the truth that one should count all well lost for the sake of the kingdom. It may not appear to be riches from the world’s point of view, but membership in the kingdom has superlative value. (BORROW The Gospel according to Matthew) Zodhiates - The person who found the treasure of the kingdom of heaven realizes its inestimable value and that material things are worthless by comparison. Although this treasure is hidden in a field, it can be found by all who seek it....While this parable does not teach that the kingdom of heaven can be bought, it does teach that salvation is worth more than all we possess, that our salvation should not be taken lightly, and that it is worth parting with worldly things we hold dear to fully enjoy our new wealth. A person who does not joyfully give of his material possessions to enable others to find the treasure of the kingdom of heaven is not a true possessor of that treasure. He does not freely possess his possessions; they, rather, possess and enslave him. A reluctant, sorrowful giver is a hypocrite. (Exegetical Commentary - Mt)
Mateus 13
Morris notes that hometown is "patris is strictly the feminine of patrios, but it is used to mean one’s “fatherland,” “home land,” or, as here, “hometown.” (BORROW The Gospel according to Matthew) (ED: Think "patriotic") BDAG adds patris is "a relatively large geographical area associated with one’s familial connections and personal life." or "a relatively restricted area as locale of one’s immediate family and ancestry, home town." Patris - 8x in NT - country(1), country of their own(1), hometown(6). Matt. 13:54; Matt. 13:57; Mk. 6:1; Mk. 6:4; Lk. 4:23; Lk. 4:24; Jn. 4:44; Heb. 11:14 Patris in Septuagint - Lev. 25:10; Est. 2:10; Est. 2:20; Est. 8:6; Jer. 22:10; Jer. 46:16; Ezek. 23:15; Teaching (1321)(didasko) has the root meaning of systematic teaching or systematic training. Didasko means to teach a student in such a way that the will of the student becomes conformed to the teaching taught. So the teacher teaches in such a way that as the student is taught, he now changes his mind saying in essence ''I won't do it this way, but I will do it this way because I've learned this doctrine or this teaching.'' Doctrine determines direction of our behavior, conformed to world or to God? (cf Ro 12:1+) Teaching that Scripture finds significant is not that which gives information alone but which produces (Spirit enabled) transformation (2 Cor 3:18+), making disciples (learners) who seek to live supernaturally (enabled by the Spirit - Eph 5:18+) in loving obedience to the will of our Father Who art in Heaven.