Matthew the Hebrew Gospel
by
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Chapter Thirteen
T
here is now a transition in the ministry of the Messiah, as Israel has committed the unpardonable sin by calling the miracles of Jesus the works of Satan in Matthew 12. So the physical kingdom will not come to Israel at this time; it will be postponed to a later time. Here, Jesus seems to change His style of teaching, focusing more on the people who will receive Him. The “mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” are a group of parables describing both how the kingdom will be accepted or rejected. The parables also describe the nature of the kingdom of heaven.
There are a few guidelines for interpreting parables. A parable is based upon the common occurrences of daily life in Israel during the first century, using that daily life situation to teach a spiritual lesson. We must be careful not to try to find a hidden doctrine or theology in a parable. Some have tried to take each individual thing within each parable to teach something independent of the context. What is the primary theme of the parable? A metaphor in a given parable may represent something entirely different from the same metaphor in a different parable. In this case, we must be careful not to compare things like “birds” and “leaven” in these mystery parables to apocalyptic literature. Let the parable tell its own story within the context in which it is told and not import data from other contexts.
Since this chapter is different in design and unique from the other chapters in Matthew, it helps to set the stage by reading some of the verses out of their given order as a background. Why did Jesus speak in parables? What prophecies were being fulfilled when Jesus spoke in parables? So before we get into the parables themselves, let us study some of the important truths also found within this mysterious chapter.
Matthew 13:10–12—“And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 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. 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.”
To prove that this chapter is unique, even the disciples are questioning why Jesus is speaking in parabolic style. The answer that Jesus gave is rather abrupt and mysterious. “Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.” He does not want everyone to understand what He is saying. The parables would reveal truth to the believer and conceal truth from the unbeliever. This also reminds us of the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:25.
The “mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” answers to the Hebrew “sod.” This Hebrew concept can be found in the Old Testament in places like Daniel 2:27. The “mysteries of the kingdom” is the coming of the kingdom into history in advance of its later physical manifestation. The fact that God would bring in His kingdom was no secret to the Jews, but the new truth that it was revealed through the Person of the Messiah in advance was not known. The future, physical kingdom would be delayed, and the King would first suffer and die for the sins of His people. This was a stumbling block to many and remains to this day. God’s spiritual kingdom would be established within the lives of His people.
“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.” The followers of Jesus had been given some understanding and they would be given more understanding. Those who had rejected Jesus were ignorant of these mysteries, and even the little understanding they had would be taken away. The price for rejecting Christ would grow higher and higher. We are totally helpless without God opening our eyes to His truths, and we are totally lost without His Spirit drawing us to Himself. This is why it is so important for us to cherish every moment we have in God’s presence. Many people attend religious services all of their lives and never are able to receive God’s revelations. Then there are those who seem to grow so quickly and their lives become a shining light for Jesus. Why? A heart of faith moves the heart of God and a heart of unbelief causes God to withdraw His Spirit.
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About the Book
Matthew the Hebrew Gospel is the third volume of Carroll’s work in process on the four gospels. Carroll helps you to see why Matthew was written and why it is the first book of the New Testament. Matthew’s gospel was written in the Hebrew language first and later translated into the Greek. Matthew’s gospel was also written much earlier than scholars have taught. Carroll brings out many of the Jewish customs, history, geography as well as many personal experiences throughout this amazing work. The Bible will come together as he helps you to connect Old Testament passages to the ministry of Jesus the Messiah. Carroll has put together years of research into an easy-read format for ministers and laypeople alike.
About the Author
Evangelist, author, singer and songwriter, Carroll Roberson, is the President of CRM since 1985. He has led over thirty trips to the land of Israel, and has studied the Hebrew life of Jesus the Messiah for decades. His heartbeat is to help other believers to see the Hebraic roots of the four gospels that has been lost for centuries behind the Greek. Carroll has also recorded over forty musical projects and composed over three hundred songs.