# Week 4: Intro to the parables + Parables of the kingdom

**Objective:**

- Learn the parables and their meanings
- How can we apply what we learned in our lives

**Resources:**

- [Fr Tadros Y Malaty Commentary on Matthew](https://1drv.ms/b/s!AgFZ7_O8DQBnhm4oPPstxNxfzeeC?e=j09aDR)
- [Fr Tadros Y Malaty Commentary on Luke](https://1drv.ms/b/s!AgFZ7_O8DQBnhnHZhnUHHC6kfwJm?e=onOFMU)
- [Catena Bible Commentary (Matthew)](https://catenabible.com/mt/1)
- [Catena Bible Commentary (Luke)](https://catenabible.com/lk/1)
- [HEMY's Bible study on Matthew](https://www.suscopts.org/diocese/bishop/bible-study/holy-gospel-according-to-st-matthew/)
- [HEMY's Bible study on Luke](https://www.suscopts.org/diocese/bishop/bible-study/holy-gospel-according-to-st-luke/)

**Reading:**

- Matthew 13

**Key verse(s):**

- "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" Matthew 13:9

**Comments:**

- <span class="OYPEnA text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none">A parable is a story in which a special meaning or a spiritual lesson is embedded</span>
- <span class="OYPEnA text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none">A way to deliver the message in a simple way</span>
- <span class="OYPEnA text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none">Parables are found only in the synoptic Gospels</span>
- <span class="OYPEnA text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none">They are often stories based on the agricultural life that was familiar to His audience</span>
- <span class="OYPEnA text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none">Some unfamiliar concepts, such as the kingdom of God, were compared to something from everyday life that could easily be understood</span>
- <span class="OYPEnA text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none">It is the lesson of a parable that is important to us.</span>
- <span class="OYPEnA text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none">"It is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning"</span>
- <div><div><table><tbody><tr><td>Parable</td><td>Matthew</td><td>Mark</td><td>Luke</td></tr><tr><td>The Sower</td><td>13:3-23</td><td>4:2–20</td><td>8:4-15</td></tr><tr><td>The Hidden Treasure</td><td>13:44</td><td>  
    </td><td>  
    </td></tr><tr><td>The Pearl of Great Price</td><td>13:45, 46</td><td>  
    </td><td>  
    </td></tr><tr><td>The Growing Seed</td><td>  
    </td><td>4:26–29</td><td>  
    </td></tr><tr><td>The Mustard Seed</td><td>13:31, 32</td><td>4:30-32</td><td>13:18, 19</td></tr><tr><td>The Leaven</td><td>13:33</td><td>  
    </td><td>13:20, 21</td></tr><tr><td>The Hidden Treasure</td><td>13:44</td><td>  
    </td><td>  
    </td></tr><tr><td>The Tares\*</td><td>13:24–30</td><td>  
    </td><td>  
    </td></tr><tr><td>The Dragnet\*</td><td>13:47-50</td><td>  
    </td><td> </td></tr></tbody></table>
    
    </div></div>Like the seed (Mk 4:26) Fruits based soil. Like the leaven, &amp; mustard seed (Mt 13:31; Mk 4:30) Starts small, invisible but grows by God's grace Like hidden treasure, &amp; Pearl of great price (Mt 13:44) valuable, worth the sacrifice, joy for the finder! Like wheat &amp; tares, net (Mt 13:24) Opposition to the Kingdom Co-existence of good and evil until judgment (harvest, net cast).
- "Hear" occurs 19 times in Mt 13, 7 times in the parable. "Seed" – Word of God: (1) has life, (2) must be planted, (3) nurtured, (4) bears fruit. "Soil #1"– Hard, on rocky path, stolen by bird (Satan) "Soil #2" – shallow root, withers under persecution (flesh). "Soil #3" – Crowded, choked by thorns of the world (riches). "Soil #4" – Good. fruitful. Hears, receives, believes, &amp; obeys. Which soil are you? Which soil do you want to be?

**Review/recap questions:** *\*\*Servant may add more questions*

<div class="pointer-container" id="bkmrk-%C2%A0"><div class="pointer anim is-page-editable"><svg class="svg-icon" data-icon="link" role="presentation" viewbox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg><div class="input-group inline block"> <button class="button outline icon" data-clipboard-target="#pointer-url" title="Copy Link" type="button"><svg class="svg-icon" data-icon="copy" role="presentation" viewbox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg></button></div><svg class="svg-icon" data-icon="edit" role="presentation" viewbox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg></div></div>**Homework:** *\*\*Servant may add more questions*