Parables: Why Jesus Spoke This Way

Parables: Why Jesus Spoke This Way

Text: Matthew 13:1–17

Introduction
Open Matthew 13. Jesus steps into a boat, faces a shoreline filled with people, and begins teaching in parables. These brief stories carry weight because they connect the everyday to the eternal. When the disciples ask, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” (Matthew 13:10), the Lord answers. This lesson listens carefully to His answer and equips us to hear every parable with humility, faith, and obedience.

What Is a Parable?
The word comes from the Greek παραβολή (parabolē), “to cast alongside.” A truth is set beside a familiar scene so minds and hearts can grasp it. Think of a seed, a lamp, a net, a household—earthly scenes that carry heavenly meaning. The synoptic Gospels preserve about thirty-two parables; John gives no parables. The verb/noun appears around forty-eight times, and Matthew 13:3 is the first mention of “parable” in Matthew’s record.

How to Read the Parables
Parables usually drive home one central truth with supporting details. Wise readers stay with that aim. Background and context matter: many parables answer a question or confront a hardened attitude. Jesus sometimes explains His parables, and those explanations govern our application. Parables illuminate doctrine already taught in plain speech; they reinforce the Lord’s revealed will and help us live it.

Parables and the Kingdom
Jesus’ parables often center on the reign of God—its nature, growth, citizens, and consummation. First-century listeners struggled because many expected a political kingdom. Jesus formed their hopes toward a spiritual reign (John 18:36; Luke 17:21). Matthew frequently says “kingdom of heaven” (about thirty-three times), a phrasing that suited Jewish readers and highlighted the kingdom’s heavenly character; the other evangelists often say “kingdom of God.” Both phrases point to the same reign.

Why Jesus Used Parables (Matthew 13:1–3, 10–17)
Jesus answers the disciples directly. Parables open truth to the teachable and expose resistance in the hard-hearted. “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” (v. 11). Humble learners receive more light and keep growing (v. 12; 2 Peter 3:18; Ephesians 5:17; 2 Peter 1:3). Those who refuse the light forfeit even what they think they possess (v. 12). This is not because salvation stands beyond their reach; it reflects a chosen hardness (Acts 13:46). Isaiah’s prophecy comes into view: ears closed, eyes shut, hearts dull (Isaiah 6:9–10; Matthew 13:13–15). Psalm 78:2 is also fulfilled—teaching through parables while generations repeat patterns of unbelief. In the same scene Jesus blesses His disciples: “Blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear” (vv. 16–17). They witness what prophets longed to see.

Blessing for the Willing Ear
A disciple believes God can be understood because God has spoken. A disciple leans forward when Jesus tells a story, prays for insight, and keeps reading until the central truth becomes plain. This is how the Spirit matures us. With the Lord’s help, we gather the meaning and obey the message.

Living With Parables Today
Our age still includes crowded shorelines—many listeners, mixed motives. Some treat Scripture as mere philosophy. Others listen with hunger. The Lord’s stories still sift those groups. When doors close, we move on without bitterness (Matthew 7:6). When ears open, we pour in the word with patience, plainness, and love. Parables help us hold steady: the kingdom is present and powerful, spiritual in nature, and certain in its final triumph. The King calls for hearing hearts and fruitful obedience.

Conclusion
Parables invite thoughtful faith. Jesus gives stories that reveal the kingdom and search our hearts. Let’s honor Him by listening deeply, seeking understanding, and practicing what we learn—today.

Sermon Outline

• Text & Aim

  • Matthew 13:1–17; learn why Jesus used parables and how to hear them as disciples

• Definition & Scope

  • Parable = parabolē, to place alongside; earthly scenes with heavenly meaning

  • ~32 parables in synoptics; first “parable” in Matthew 13:3

• Reading Parables Well

  • Seek the central truth; note background and audience

  • Let Jesus’ explanations govern application

  • Parables illuminate established doctrine

• Parables and the Kingdom

  • Kingdom’s spiritual nature (John 18:36; Luke 17:21)

  • “Kingdom of heaven” (Matthew) and “kingdom of God” (Mark/Luke) express the same reign

• Why Parables? Matthew 13:10–17

  • Revelation to the receptive (v. 11): disciples granted understanding

  • Growth through pursuit (v. 12): those who have, receive more (2 Peter 3:18; Ephesians 5:17; 2 Peter 1:3)

  • Judicial exposure of hardness (vv. 13–15; Isaiah 6:9–10; Acts 13:46)

  • Prophetic fulfillment (Psalm 78:2; Matthew 13:34–35)

  • Blessing on hearers (vv. 16–17): prophets longed for this day

• Living Applications

  • Cultivate a hearing heart; pray, think, and obey

  • Teach patiently; withdraw pearls when scorn prevails (Matthew 7:6)

  • Let the parables shape kingdom expectations and daily discipleship

• Appeal

  • Hear, understand, and obey the King; enter His kingdom by the new birth (John 3:5)

Call to Action
Ask the Lord to make your heart soft to His word. Read one parable each day this week. Pray for understanding, identify the central truth, and obey a clear step that truth requires. If your heart has resisted the King, repent today and enter His kingdom by faith, confession, and baptism into Christ (John 3:5).

Scripture Reference List

• Matthew 13:1–17 — Jesus explains why He teaches in parables

• Matthew 13:3, 34–35 — First “parable” mention; fulfills Psalm 78:2

• Psalm 78:2 — Parabolic teaching anticipated in Israel’s history

• Isaiah 6:9–10 — Prophecy of dull hearts, quoted about resistant hearers

• 2 Peter 3:18 — Grow in grace and knowledge; promise of increasing light

• Ephesians 5:17 — Understand the will of the Lord; confidence in knowable truth

• 2 Peter 1:3 — God provides all things for life and godliness through knowledge

• John 18:36 — Christ’s kingdom not of this world

• Luke 17:21 — The kingdom present among the Lord’s people

• Acts 13:46 — Rejecters judge themselves unworthy of eternal life

• Matthew 21:43 — The kingdom given to a people bearing its fruits

• Matthew 7:6 — Wisdom about pearls before swine; when to move on

• John 3:5 — Entrance into the kingdom by water and Spirit

A consolidated list of the commonly recognized parables Jesus taught, with Scripture references (parallel passages shown together):

• New Cloth on Old Garment — Matthew 9:16; Mark 2:21; Luke 5:36

• New Wine in Old Wineskins — Matthew 9:17; Mark 2:22; Luke 5:37–38

• Lamp on a Stand — Matthew 5:14–16; Mark 4:21–25; Luke 8:16–18; 11:33–36

• Wise & Foolish Builders — Matthew 7:24–27; Luke 6:47–49

• Children in the Marketplace — Matthew 11:16–19; Luke 7:31–35

• Two Debtors (Moneylender) — Luke 7:41–43

• The Sower — Matthew 13:3–9, 18–23; Mark 4:3–9, 13–20; Luke 8:5–8, 11–15

• Seed Growing Secretly — Mark 4:26–29

• Mustard Seed — Matthew 13:31–32; Mark 4:30–32; Luke 13:18–19

• Leaven (Yeast) — Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:20–21

• Hidden Treasure — Matthew 13:44

• Pearl of Great Price — Matthew 13:45–46

• Dragnet — Matthew 13:47–50

• Householder: New & Old Treasures — Matthew 13:52

• Weeds/Tares among Wheat — Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43

• Lost Sheep — Matthew 18:12–14; Luke 15:3–7

• Unforgiving Servant — Matthew 18:23–35

• Laborers in the Vineyard — Matthew 20:1–16

• Two Sons — Matthew 21:28–32

• Wicked Tenants (Vinedressers) — Matthew 21:33–46; Mark 12:1–12; Luke 20:9–19

• Wedding Banquet (Royal Marriage) — Matthew 22:1–14

• Great Supper (Banquet) — Luke 14:16–24

• Budding Fig Tree (Fig Tree Lesson) — Matthew 24:32–35; Mark 13:28–31; Luke 21:29–33

• Faithful & Wicked Servant — Matthew 24:45–51; Luke 12:42–48

• Watchful Doorkeeper — Mark 13:34–37

• Ten Virgins — Matthew 25:1–13

• Talents — Matthew 25:14–30

• Minas (Pounds) — Luke 19:11–27

• Good Samaritan — Luke 10:25–37

• Friend at Midnight — Luke 11:5–8

• The Rich Fool — Luke 12:16–21

• Watchful Servants (Lamps Burning) — Luke 12:35–40

• Barren Fig Tree — Luke 13:6–9

• Places of Honor / Humility — Luke 14:7–11

• Tower Builder — Luke 14:28–30

• Warring King — Luke 14:31–32

• Lost Coin — Luke 15:8–10

• Prodigal Son (Lost Son) — Luke 15:11–32

• Unjust Steward (Shrewd Manager) — Luke 16:1–13

• Rich Man and Lazarus — Luke 16:19–31

• Unworthy Servants — Luke 17:7–10

• Persistent Widow (Unjust Judge) — Luke 18:1–8

• Pharisee and Tax Collector — Luke 18:9–14

• Blind Leading the Blind — Luke 6:39 (cf. Matthew 15:14)

• Speck and Log — Matthew 7:3–5; Luke 6:41–42

• Strong Man’s House — Matthew 12:29; Mark 3:27; Luke 11:21–22

• Returning Unclean Spirit — Matthew 12:43–45; Luke 11:24–26

Prepared by David Hersey of the church of Christ at Granby, MO