[1] The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. [2] And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. [3] And he spake many things unto them in parables
Verses 1-2 Expanded Bible Comments
| The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. [2] And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Any suggestion as to why Jesus chose this spot by the sea side to deliver his message to the multitude? | Amazing acoustics. R2627 |
[10] And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? [11] He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. [12] For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. [13] Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. [14] And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: [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. [16] But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. [17] For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
Verses 10-11 Expanded Bible Comments
| And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? [11] He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What did the disciples ask Jesus? | |
| What was his answer? | |
| Is all that Jesus spoke in his parables meant to be understood by all? | |
| Who are supposed to understand his parables? | John 16:13 |
| Who are NOT supposed to understand? | |
| What does this tell us about what we should expect when witnessing to the Truth to others? | |
Verse 12 Expanded Bible Comments
| For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Does this verse tell us that Jesus loves the rich, the "haves", more than the poor, the "have nots?" | |
| Why does he say those that have more will get even more and those who have less will lose what little they do have? | |
Verse 13 Expanded Bible Comments
| Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What is the purpose for Jesus speaking in parables? | |
Verses 14-15 Expanded Bible Comments
| And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: [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. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What propecy of Isaiah? | Isa. 6:9-10. |
| What is the time setting for that prophecy's fulfillment? | |
| Where else have we seen a similar picture? | Eze. 3 |
Verses 16-17 Expanded Bible Comments
| But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. [17] For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Why are the disciples specially blessed? | |
[3] And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; [4] And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: [5] Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: [6] And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. [7] And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: [8] But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. [9] Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
[18] Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. [19] When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. [20] But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; [21] Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. [22] He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this age, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. [23] But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Verse 3-9 Expanded Bible Comments
| In verses 3-8 how many types of ground are described? | Four – (1) Ground by the wayside, (2) stony, (3) thorny and (4) good. |
Verse 3, 4, 18, 19 Expanded Bible Comments
| And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; [4] And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: ... [18] Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. [19] When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What is a parable? | According to dictionary.com a parable is: 1. a short allegorical story designed to illustrate or teach some truth, religious principle, or moral lesson. 2. a statement or comment that conveys a meaning indirectly by the use of comparison, analogy, or the like. |
| Who is the sower? | Jesus, then the Apostles, then the saints throughout the Age. |
| What does he sow? | The word of the Kingdom of God. Verse 19. What is sown are thoughts about the Kingdom. This is another way of saying "witnessing." These thoughts (ideas) are intended to lead men to become followers of Christ, to become members of the Kingdom Class (the little flock.) R2628:7 |
| What is indicated by some falling "by the wayside?" | Those who hear but do not understand the Truth about God's Kingdom. Verse 19. |
| Who (or what) is represented by the "fowls" and what is it that they do? | Satan and his followers (especially in the nominal church systems) are the "fowls of heaven." These immediately "catch away that which was sown in his heart." Verse 19 – Perhaps giving a little insight into Rev. 18:2. |
Verses 5, 6, 20, 21 Expanded Bible Comments
| Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: [6] And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. ... [20] But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; [21] Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What is pictured by the "stony ground?" | Matt. 13:20; Mark 4:16 |
| What did Jesus mean by "they had not much earth?" | Matt. 13:21; Mark 4:17 – They have no depth of character. |
| Why would this "ground" produce quickly? | Because the seed can only go down to a shallow depth and thus, when it grows, has little way to reach the surface. If the seed went deep it would have to grow longer and stronger to reach the surface. |
| What is pictured by the sun being up? | Matt. 13:21 |
| Why were these "scorched?" – (What does that mean?) | Matt. 13:21 |
| What happened to these? | "They withered away." |
Verses 7, 22 Expanded Bible Comments
| And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: ... [22] He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this age, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What type of ground is spoken of here? | Thorny. It should be noted here that this must be good soil or these thorns would not be able to grow there. |
| What are pictured by the thorns? | The cares and allurements of this life. Matt. 13:22 |
| What is pictured by these thorns springing up? | Earthly responsibilities and opportunities present themselves in ways which consume our time and energy. Often it takes time for this to happen. |
| What is the result when these thorns spring up? | It chokes the spirit of the truth in the hearer. Matt. 13:22 |
Please see R4635 "Good Seed but Thorny Ground" |
|
Verses 8, 23 Expanded Bible Comments
| But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. ... [23] But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What is pictured by the good ground? | The heart. This is where we receive the truth. There is the intellectual understanding but it must take root in the heart. Matt. 13:23 |
| What is brought forth out of this good ground? | Fruit? Gal. 5:22-23 |
| What is pictured by the hundred, the sixty and the thirty fold? | The various degrees of faithfulness among those who do accept the gospel of the kingdom into their hearts. |
Verse 9 Expanded Bible Comments
| Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What does this mean? | Rev. 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22 |
[24] Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: [25] But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. [26] But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. [27] So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? [28] He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? [29] But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. [30] Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
[36] Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. [37] He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; [38] The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; [39] The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are the angels. [40] As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this age. [41] The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; [42] And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. [43] Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Verses 24-25,36-39 Expanded Bible Comments
| Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: [25] But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. ... [36] Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. [37] He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; [38] The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; [39] The enemy that sowed them is the devil; ... | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Based on verse 24 what is this parable about? | The kingdom of heaven, or rather the development of the kingdom of heaven class – the church. |
| What is pictured by the field? | The world. |
| Who is the man who owned the field? | Jesus, "the Son of man." |
| What is indicated by Jesus using the title "The Son of Man?" | 1. Please see E149 |
| What did he do to his field? | He sowed good seed, the Gospel of the Kingdom which is designed to develop the church class – the wheat. |
| What is meant by "while men slept?" | The Apostles. Acts 20:29,30 |
| What is the "good seed?" | The children of the kingdom, i.e., the saints. |
| Who is the enemy? | Satan. |
| What did the enemy do? | Sowed tares (imitation wheat) in with the wheat in the field. |
| What are the tares? | The children of the wicked one. – John 8:44 |
Verses 26-30,39-42 Expanded Bible Comments
| But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. [27] So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? [28] He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? [29] But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. [30] Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
[39] ... the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are the angels. [40] As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this age. [41] The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; [42] And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. |
|
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| In the parable, what happened when the wheat from the seed began to appear? | The tares also showed up. |
| Where did the tares come from? | They came from the Adversary having sowed counterfeit seeds, seeds of error. |
| Who are the servants? | The true servants of God, the spirit-begotten church. This may be a reference to the seven messengers or to the leaders amongst the saints. |
| What did these servants want to do? | Separate out the wheat (true Christians) from the tares (the false, the nominal Christians.) |
| What were they told in this regard? | "Let both grow together.." Do not attempt that kind of separation during the Gospel Age. Instead, wait until the harvest time. |
| What was the danger of removing the tares from the wheat? | Until they are ripened they look very much alike. Therefore the danger was the wheat class might be removed or damaged instead of the tare class. |
| What period of time is being spoken of here? | The Gospel Age. |
| For how long was the instruction "let both grow together" to continue? | Until the harvest. |
| What is the harvest? | The time of gathering the ripe fruit. |
| Who are the reapers? | The angels – the Lord's people. – Matt. 24:31 |
| When do the reapers go into action? | In the harvest. |
| What do they do first? | Bind the tares in bundles for burning. |
| What does it mean to bind the tares into bundles? | The tares (imitation wheat, nominal Christians,) are bound together in denominational bundles.
Weren't they already in denominational bundles?
Yes. The difference here is they are bound more tightly together. This results from the Truth being spread and the reaction of the leaders of the nominal churches fighting harder against it (as did the Pharisees) which makes the difference between the true and the false become more apparent. |
| When is the harvest? | The end of the (Gospel) age. |
| When our Lord said "gather out of his kingdom..," to what was he referring? | He was referring to the nominal church. Remember that the true church is really the only true Christian church. The others are all part of Satan's counterfeit, the mother and daughter systems. Rev. 17:5 |
| What is "the barn?" | The condition of safety, seperate from the world and from Babylon. C211:2; C211:4; R2751:5; R2564; R5211:6 |
| What is the "furnace of fire?" | The time of trouble. |
| What is the "wailing and gnashing of teeth" and what is the cause of it? | R1000 |
Verse 43 Expanded Bible Comments
| Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Who are "the righteous?" | The true church. |
| What does it mean for the righteous to "shine forth as the sun?" | Jesus is pictured as the Sun of righteousness. Mal. 4:2. When the mediatorial phase of the kingdom begins, Jesus will shine forth to the world, i.e., they will recognize him as their saviour. At that time the church will also shine forth, as his bride. |
| When does this take place? | At his second advent. 1 John 3:2; Matt. 25:31; Col. 3:4 |
| What is meant by "Who hath ears to hear, let him hear?" | R4636 |
[31] Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: [32] 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.
Verses 31-32 Expanded Bible Comments
| Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: [32] 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. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What does the kingdom of heaven picture in this parable? | The nominal Gospel Church. R2634 |
| Who is the man who sowed the mustard seed? | Our Lord Jesus. |
| What is the field? | Likely the same as in the parable of the Wheat and the Tares, i.e., the world. |
| What is the size of a mustard seed? |  |
| What size is the mustard plant when grown? |  |
| What was the Lord teaching us by indicating the original planting was with such a small seed? | That the church (the kingdom of heaven) class was originally small, humble and not much in the eyes of the world. |
| What happened to make the plant grow so large and what does this teach us? | Spiritual attitudes and thought were replaced by worldly ones which enabled the church to become great in the eyes of the world. Note especially what took place at the beginning of the Pergamos period of the church (around 313-314 A.D.) when the Roman Emperor (Constantine) got involved. |
| In the parable, who are represented by the birds that that lodge it its branches? | Rev. 18:2 |
| What are pictured by its branches? | The various denominations of Christendom. |
| There is another way of looking at this parable. It could picture the faith of the Lord's people, how it starts out small (mustard seed) and grows until it becomes great (so as to be able to move a mountain. – Matt. 17:20) | |
[33] Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
Verse 33 Expanded Bible Comments
| Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What is pictured by "The Kingdom of Heaven?" | The nominal Gospel Church. R2635 |
| What is pictured by leaven? | Sin. |
| Is there any significance to it being a woman who hid the three meaures of leven? | Rev. 2:20 |
| What might be pictured by the three measures of meal? | We suggest "Faith, Hope and Love." – R2635:5 |
| What is meant by "the whole was leavened?" | The entire false system of theology was corrupted. |
[34] All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: [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.
Verses 34-35 Expanded Bible Comments
| All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: [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. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Please see Expanded Bible comments for these two verses. | |
Regarding the class discussion last week concerning the question "What is the kingdom of heaven," please see R1000.
[44] 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. [45] Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: [46] Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. [47] Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: [48] Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. [49] So shall it be at the end of the age: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, [50] And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. [51] Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord. [52] Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.
Verse 44 Expanded Bible Comments
| 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. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What is the kingdom of heaven? | The church under development during the Gospel Age. This includes the nominal as well as the true church. Please see R1000. |
| What is pictured by the field? | The world. |
| What is pictured by the treasure? | The hope of the Kingdom. |
| Who or what is pictured by the man who found the treasure? | See answer to next question. |
| What did the man do and what is pictured by this? | It can be pictured two ways. 1) Jesus who bought Adam and his race (and his paradise home) by the sacrifice of his own perfect human life. 2) The church gives up its all to purchase a place in the Kingdom. |
Verses 45-46 Expanded Bible Comments
| Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: [46] Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What is the kingdom of heaven? | The church under development during the Gospel Age. This includes the nominal as well as the true church. |
| Who is pictured by the merchant man. | The true church looking for a way to be closer to the Lord. |
| What is pictured by the pearls? | Truths such as would appeal to a relatively noble person, especially religious truth. Remember, these were "goodly" pearls. |
| Are all the pearls of the same value? | No. There was one pearl of such great value that the merchantman stopped seeking for other goodly pearls. |
| What did the merchant do and what does that picture? | Sold all he had to obtain the field which had this special pearl. This pictures what happens to one (who will eventually be of the Body of Christ) during the Gospel Age who is searching for God and discovers the Truth, especially the opportunity to become of the Bride class. He sells all that he has (his earthly life, hopes, etc.) and makes a full and complete consecration to do the will of God. This is what is pictured in the Tabernacle by the consecration of the Priests (7 days) at the door. It is also pictured by the Lord's goat being tied to the door on the Day of Atonement. |
Verses 47-50 Expanded Bible Comments
| Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: [48] Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. [49] So shall it be at the end of the age: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, [50] And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What is the kingdom of heaven? | The embryo Kingdom, the true church in the flesh being developed throughout the Gospel Age. – R5048:18 |
| How is it like a net cast into the sea? | A net cast into the sea catches all kinds of fish. So the spreading of the Gospel has caught the attention of various kinds of men. |
| What is gathered? | In the parable: fish. – Matt. 4:19 |
| In this parable, what is pictured by the sea? | The world of mankind. |
| In verse 49 our Lord says "So shall it be at the end of the age." Does this mean the entire parable belongs exclusively to the end of the Gospel Age? | No. Only from the part where they drag the net to the shore. |
| In our understanding of this parable, when was the net cast into the sea? | At the beginning of the Gospel Age when the Gospel message was sent into the world "to take out of them a people for his name." Acts 15:14 - R1000 |
| According to our Lord's words in verse 48, when is the net dragged to shore? | "When it was full." |
| What does this suggest to us as to the timing of this part of the parable? | When the full number of the Body of Christ is first reached, i.e., in 1881. – R5048:20 |
| What is done with the good and with the bad? What does this picture? | The good are gathered into vessels. The bad are cast away.
This pictures the separation of the true Christians from the nominal ones, much the same as in the parable of the wheat and the tares. |
| Who are the angels? | The saints at that time. – R1000 |
| Who are "the wicked?" | R1000 |
| What is the furnace of fire? | The great time of trouble. – R5048; R5049 |
| What is the "wailing and gnashing of teeth?" | R1000 |
Verses 51-53 Expanded Bible Comments
| Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord. [52] Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. [53] And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What was the question Jesus asked his disciples? | Did they understand these things (the parables?) |
| How did they respond? | They indicated they did understand. |
| Were they telling the truth when they answered Jesus? | We assume they did. |
| What would it mean if their answer was truthful? | That they had greater responsibility than those still in the world. |
| What would it mean if they lied? | That would have placed them in serious danger because it means they would have lied to the Holy Spirit. Acts 4:32-37; 5:1-10 |
| Why did Jesus begin his response with "Therefore?" | Because you understand these things... |
| What does it mean to be "instructed unto the kingdom of heaven?" | To become learned in the teachings which allow one to walk the narrow way. |
| Why did Jesus say "every scribe.." | A scribe is one who writes things down. This seems to refer to those of his followers who left us written records (Matthew, Luke, Paul, etc.) |
| What is a householder? | The head of the house. |
| Why did Jesus liken a scribe instructed in the kingdom of heaven to a householder? | He is describing someone who carries that kind of responsibility, including exercising judgment in the house of God. 1 Cor. 6:2-4
Perhaps the messengers to the church or perhaps elders. Our thought is that he may have referred to the seventh messenger who acted as the steward over the Lords house. – Matt. 24:45-47 |
| What does Jesus say this "householder" would do? | Bring forth out of his treasure things new and old. |
| What does that picture? | The work of Pastor Russell. |
[54] And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? [55] Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judah? [56] And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? [57] And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. [58] And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
Verses 54-56 Expanded Bible Comments
| And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? [55] Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judah? [56] And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Where did Jesus go next? | "Into his own country," i.e., into the region of Galilee around Capernaum. |
| What did he do there? | "Taught them in their synagogue." |
| How did the people react to this? | They questioned "Whence hath this man this wisdom and these mighty works?" All they could see was the carpenter's son whose family they knew. |
Verses 57-58 Expanded Bible Comments
| And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. [58] And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Did the people feel good about hearing Jesus teach in the synagogue? | No. "They were offended in him." |
| What did Jesus say about their attitude? | "A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house." |
| Did this change Jesus' behavior? | Apparently so. According to this account "He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief." |
| What example/lesson is there in this for us? | Luke 12:48 |