Mat 13:3-23 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Matt 13:3-9: 13:3-9 This parable (interpreted in 13:18-23 ) addresses the mostly negative responses of the Jewish nation to Jesus and his message. • Parables (Greek parabolē ) are stories that usually express an analogy between a common aspect of life and a spiritual truth. To understand a parable, it is necessary to locate the central analogy and understand it in its historical context and in the context of the Gospel text; then the central message can be understood. Speculative allegorical meanings that were not intended should not be found in every element of a parable.

Summary for Matt 13:3-9: 13:3-9 ^a This parable (interpreted in 13:18-23 ^b) addresses the mostly negative responses of the Jewish nation to Jesus and his message.

• Parables (Greek parabolē) are stories that usually express an analogy between a common aspect of life and a spiritual truth. To understand a parable, it is necessary to locate the central analogy and understand it in its historical context and in the context of the Gospel text; then the central message can be understood. Speculative allegorical meanings that were not intended should not be found in every element of a parable.
13:10 ^c From this point on, Jesus rarely taught the general public. Instead, he focused on teaching those who had committed themselves to him (13:1–20:34 ^d), though he would once again confront Israel (21:1–23:39 ^e).

• The people were the unbelieving opponents mentioned again in 13:11 ^f (“others”) and 13:12 ^g (“those who are not listening”).
Summary for Matt 13:11-15: 13:11-15 ^h Jesus’ answer to the disciples’ question (13:10 ⁱ) was essentially that the people’s stubborn unbelief and rejection of Jesus had brought God’s condemnation. 13:11 ^j You are permitted to understand: God had enabled the disciples to comprehend Jesus’ significance and to respond to his message of the Kingdom in faith and obedience (see 13:19 ^k, 23 ^l).

• the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven: Namely, that salvation is available to them in Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament promises.
13:13 ^m Jesus told parables, and those who believed understood while those who had rejected Jesus found that his parables intensified their unbelief.

• they don’t really see ... listen or understand: They lacked the faith that perceives the truth (13:19 ⁿ, 23 ^o) and acts upon it (Mark 8:18 ^p; John 12:40 ^q; see also Jer 5:21 ^r).
Summary for Matt 13:14-15: 13:14-15 ^s Like that of Isaiah, Jesus’ message has a dual effect: It judges people for unbelief and disobedience, and it creates a remnant of faithful ones who accomplish the Lord’s will (21:43 ^t).
Summary for Matt 13:16-17: 13:16-17 ^u Jesus brought into reality what the prophets and Old Testament saints desired to see and hear, that is, the fulfillment of Old Testament promises (see Isa 52:15 ^v; John 8:56 ^w; 1 Pet 1:10 ^x).
13:19 ^y don’t understand it: Responding to the message of the Kingdom is directly related to discerning its significance.
Summary for Matt 13:20-21: 13:20-21 ^z don’t have deep roots ... don’t last long: The problem is a lack of persevering faith and obedience (see 7:13-27 ^aa; 10:22 ^ab), particularly when persecution arises.
13:22 ^ac Jesus spoke of competing demands in life, (see also 8:18-22 ^ad). The worries of this life can become so great that they divert one from the path of faithful obedience (see 6:19-34 ^ae). The lure of wealth, particularly in its ability to deceive, appears often in Matthew (e.g., 4:8-10 ^af; 6:24 ^ag; 13:44-45 ^ah). God does not desire that his people have wealth as much as that they have faith, obey him, and willingly help those in need (e.g., 19:21 ^ai; 25:31-46 ^aj).
13:23 ^ak produce a harvest: Probably a general reference to faithful obedience to Jesus’ commands (e.g., 5:1–7:27 ^al; 28:20 ^am).