P'nei Adonai resources for walking in the presence of God
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P'nei Adonai resources for walking in the presence of God
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Matthew
• Introduction (We are doing a weekly study of Mattiyahu. Please check back weekly for additional essays, until we finish going through the text.) (Apologies! June and July were unexpectedly busy. The missing study notes will be added to the website as soon as possible.)
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Verses 13:1 to 13:52OverviewYeshua teaches about the Kingdom of God using eight parables.
IntroductionMattiyahu follows the tradition of some (but not all) first-century Jews of using the phrase "Kingdom of Heaven" instead of "Kingdom of YHVH" to avoid using God's name in casual conversation. These two phrases are equivalent, as can be quickly confirmed by comparing Matthew with Mark and Luke:Mattiyahu 10:5-8 and Luke 9:1-2 (Yeshua sends out the twelve disciples) In this chapter Yeshua follows what was common practice among both Jewish and Greek teachers in a master-disciple relationship by sharing parables with a crowd and saving the explanations for only those listeners who cared enough to come ask for the explanation. The Greek word for "parable" is a compound of para ("along side of") and ballo ("to throw, lay, or place").1 Thus it pictures teaching an abstract truth by putting it side-by-side with a physical example. In the first century it was by far the most common type of a larger set of literary techniques referred to by the Hebrew word mashal.2
Types of SoilMost of these eight parables use humor and exaggeration. In this first parable a farmer neglects to plow the field -- an obvious oversight that would be laughably foolish to Yeshua's agrarian audience. In that time and place most fields would be plowed before they were sowed, although a well-used field might be plowed immediately after sowing to help bury the seeds. When Yeshua speaks of a farmer who neglects to plow his field he is poking fun at himself while highlighting how generous God is in extending free will.Typical yield for a grain field would be fivefold to eightfold.3 Yeshua's listeners, who were mostly farmers, would have noticed that the abundant harvest in the good soil meant the field was not lacking overall. Notice that this parable and its explanation are interrupted by a narrative section in which the disciples question Yeshua and he answers. The interruption elaborates the parable: the disciples, the only people who ask for more information, are demonstrating why they alone are the "good soil" mentioned in the parable. The Greek word moostayrion in 13:11 (from which English gets "mystery") occurs 27 times in the Apostolic Writings and almost always refers to some truth about unity in the Kingdom of God. Notice in verse 13:12 that the disciples were taught "mysteries" because their previous devotion to Yeshua meant they had the background knowledge to understand the "mysteries". Similarly, in verse 13:23 it is understanding the message that is the foundational distinction of "good soil". David Stern translates Isaiah 6:9-10, cited in verses 13:14-15, especially clearly:
Why are people with dull hearts barely hearing and closing their eyes? According to John 3:19 it is because they love darkness instead of light. Stern conjectures they have lost their trust in God's goodness.4 Notice that seeing and hearing Yeshua grants blesing (verse 13:16). How have we been blessed by seeing and hearing Yeshua?5 How have we been healed by repentance? Verse 13:17 reads:
Yeshua's reply to his disciples would be complete if he stopped at the end of the previous sentence. Why did he add verse 13:17? What is its significance?
Wheat and DarnelThis parable also uses a humorous exaggeration, although recognizing it requires context not widely known. The "weeds" are darnel, a poisonous plant that looks very much like wheat until it matures and its head developes. In Hebrew this plant is called zonin, related to the word that means prostitute (zonah). Jewish legend taught that zonin was part of the earth's corruption mentioned in Genesis 6:12: the world was so corrupt that even wheat changed into a poisonous, false "prostitute wheat". Thus in Yeshua's parable the Adversary, who was responsible for the Fall of Man and the corruption of those days, is seen reduced to the stature of a common criminal sneaking about at night to recreate a shadow of his former victory.Notice in verse 13:38 that the field represents the world, not only Israel. This parable teaches that the Kingdom of God is here now, but in a form that allows unrighteous people to also belong. Eventually there will be a time when the unrighteous will be removed from the Kingdom of God. Until then, the unrighteous need not be a threat to the righteous. However, the righteous need to grow more or they would also be removed from the kingdom of God. Again this parable and its explanation are interrupted, this time by two short parables. (This is evidence of Mattiyahu adding comment as an editor while being unwilling to actually modify Yeshua's words.) These mini-parables are vague in meaning. Some scholars teach that the birds nesting in the mustard plant represent people of many nations joining the Kingdom of God, and the yeast in the dough represents the Kingdom of God expanding in the world. More likely, because of their intentional placement by Mattiyahu in the middle of the parable about wheat and darnel, is that the birds and yeast both represent false members of the Kingdom of God.
Mustard, DoughAs mentioned in the previous paragraph, scholars debate whether these two mini-parables are about the Kingdom of God spreading in the world or false members spreading in the Kingdom of God.These mini-parables again use humorous exaggeration. Mustard seeds were probably the smallest seeds used by the farmers and gardeners in Yeshua's audience, and the plant did regularly grow to 10 to 15 feet tall. But it still requires exaggeration to claim that counts as a "tree" in which birds nest, especially since Yeshua is referencing Ezekiel 17:22-24 which refers to a "noble ceder" instead. Also, a single loaf of bread would never be made from such a huge amount of flour (50 pounds).
Treasure, PearlThese parables teach that the current Kingdom of God is initially hidden, but is quite recognizable once perceived. It is revealed further to those who are determined to keep Yeshua's commandments. In John 7:17 Yeshua affirms that a willingness to do God's will leads to discernment about his teachings. In John 14:21 Yeshua says that keeping his commandments shows love for him which leads to revelation.These parables also teach that the current Kingdom of God is found when sought. Remember 13:10-11. See also Proverbs 1:7 and 2:1-5, Isaiah 33:6, Colossians 2:2-3. Finally, these parables also teach that the current Kingdom of God is obtained by giving up all you previously had. This is a cost (necessity), not a price (purchase). All can enter the future kingdom of God, but some will have more trouble doing so. See also Mattiyahu 21:28-32 and 43, Luke 18:15-17 and 18-27, and Acts 8:20-22. What is difficult but required for us to give up?6 Good and Bad FishIn the parable of the wheat and darnel it was explicitly righteous behavior that was "good" and wicked behavior that was "bad" (verses 13:41-43). In this parable the terms "good" and "bad" are left purposefully vague. In Yeshua's other teaching, what are other "good" and "bad" characteristics of people claiming to be in the Kingdom of God?Foremost, it is the fruit of God's Spirit that assures us that we are in the current Kingdom of God (John 14:16-18) will enter the future Kingdom of God (Ephesians 1:13-14). Second, in the current kingdom of God the wicked not only say they belong but will do their best to participate. The wicked might even do miraculous works (Matthew 7:21-27) as well as attending services and sharing food together (Luke 13:26-30). But they will remain wicked, without lives made pure by God's Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23, Luke 3:16-17, 1 John 1:5 through 2:6, Galatians 4:13).
The Torah-Teacher DiscipleIn this brief, final parable Yeshua reminds his disciples that the Kingdom of God grows from what God has been doing with Israel. A disciple of Yeshua who understands the Tenach and Jewish tradition is expected to use these for the sake of the Kingdom of God.Notice that false members of the Kingdom of God can also make use of the Tenach and Jewish tradition, as Paul mentions in Titus 1:10-16. In that latter passage, the false members are quite recognizable: like mature darnel they have revealed their true nature. Paul says they should be avoided to silence their words' effects (Titus 1:11, 3:10).
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