Jesus addresses the crowds with a parable (13:2), then offers the disciples an interpretation in 13:18-23. The first parable takes place “beside the sea” of Galilee where Jesus called the first disciples (4:18-22). Thus “the empire of the heavens” is “thrown alongside” or compared to and illuminated by the situations that each parable depicts (13:24, 31, 33, 44-45, 47).
The word derives from a Greek word meaning “to throw alongside.” That is, basic to the parable genre is the notion of comparison one entity is set alongside something else to be illuminated by the comparison. They also challenge the audience afresh to continue to live on the basis of God’s empire in the midst of various difficulties until its full purposes are accomplished.īeginning in 13:3, the word “parable” occurs twelve times in the chapter. The parables catalogue diverse responses, offer some explanations for them, affirm the readers’ positive responses, and illustrate how God’s empire is at work in the world. Matthew 13, comprising seven parables, stops the forward movement of the Gospel story to reflect on this emerging division. But while some join with him in doing “the will of my Father in heaven” (12:50), others, such as the unrepentant cities, societal leaders, scribes, and Pharisees (11:16-24 12:1-42), reject Jesus’ ministry. Some have received Jesus’ ministry through his proclamation, teaching, healings, and exorcisms, experiencing the merciful transformation of God’s intervention.
Since chapter 4:17, Matthew’s Jesus has manifested the empire of God as the agent of God’s saving presence (1:21-23).
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