Speaking in Parables

Setting and Overview
Matthew 13 gives us the third discourse in Matthew, usually referred to as the Parabolic Discourse. What is different about this discourse from the previous ones is that this time Jesus is speaking not specifically to his disciples, but rather to the crowd. Because of that, we see Jesus speak in a different way, namely in parables. In verses 10-17, we will see Jesus explain his reasons and their implication to his disciples.

Exposition
After the first parable, the Parable of the Sower, Matthew interjects with a question to Jesus from the disciples: why is he speaking in parables. The word parable can have a broad meaning, especially in the Old Testament where it comes from a Hebrew word that can mean an oracle (especially in Numbers), insightful saying (in Psalms), proverb (in Proverbs), or an illustration (in Ezekiel.) It comes from another word that means to rule or be superior, which reflects the authority, effectiveness, and reliability of the referenced sayings. Our English word comes from the Greek word used in Matthew 13, which means to set to the side, a reference to comparing one thing to another. This is used in Hebrews as well of something that is a symbol or is used symbolically. Surprisingly, then, Jesus answers he speaks in parables not only to reveal information, but also because some of those to whom he is speaking don’t get the opportunity to learn. Parables can effectively communicate information, but without the right context and information to interpret, they can also obscure or confuse. Specifically, Jesus says that the disciples have been given the opportunity to know the secrets of the Kingdom, which reflects truths about the Kingdom and its inauguration that were pointed to in the Old Testament but not fully realized (Ephesians 3:4-9, as an example.)
In verses 13-15 Jesus focuses in on the implications for the crowd, and he quotes the Septuagint translation of Isaiah 6:9-10, which seems to say that Jesus is speaking in parables as a response to the hardness of the hearts of those in the crowd. Mark 4:11-12, however, seems to that the parables are to cause the hardness, which seems to align more closely with the original verses in Isaiah. This seeming contradiction is resolved by looking at the context of Isaiah 6:9-10, where Isaiah is given a commission to take God’s word clearly to the people, but with the revelation that the response to the prophecy will just be furthering hardening of the people’s hearts. So also when those with hard hearts who have rejected Jesus hear the parables, the parables will accomplish nothing in them except for further hardening. God’s sovereignty and human responsibility are both clearly evident.
In contrast, the disciples are blessed because they do get to see what Jesus is revealing. In verses 34-35, Matthew will quote Psalm 78:2, which introduces Asaph’s “parable” which recaps God’s preservation of and faithfulness to the nation of Israel, and declares Asaph’s action to find its fulfillment in Jesus. Like Asaph, Jesus is revealing secrets by showing how individual things previously seen in the scriptures now come together to reveal God’s plan in a new and full way. Here in verses 16-17, Jesus shows the disciples how fortunate they are to get to be recipients of such revelation, as even the prophets and righteous men that preceded them longed to see such things revealed.

Examination and Application
While Jesus shows the disciples that they are ultimately able to receive and understand the parables because of the grace shown to them, they do still model faithfulness in many ways. They don’t understand everything that Jesus says, but they trust his authority and they are willing to ask questions when they do not know. In this way, they are models for us to follow. We are also blessed to have access to God’s full Word, and to see its consistency and the Old Testament is fulfilled in Jesus. If the prophets and righteous men and women who preceded them were still eager to study and obey God’s Word without seeing such fulfillment, how much more so should we today.