Dr Tom Hover
August 24, 2025
Matthew 13:31-43
THE PARABLES CONTINUE
THE PARABLES CONTINUE
Matthew 13:31-43
Introduction: Remember: The word “parable” comes from two Greek words (para and ballÅ), which together mean “to throw alongside.” A parable, like an illustration, makes a comparison between a known truth and an unknown truth; it throws them alongside each other. A parable is a comparison to illustrate a truth. Someone said: “A Parable is an Earthly Story with a Heavenly meaning.
I. THE PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED
Matthew 13:31-32 This is the first parable similitude in the chapter.
The previous two parables were story parables. The first two:
1. The Parable of the Sower, the Seed, and the Soil
2. The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares
This third parable uses a Mustard Seed.
A. The Seed Is a Similitude Matthew 13:31 A parable is a comparison to illustrate a truth. The comparison in this parable is the mustard seed. The mustard seed is also used elsewhere as a parable similitude of faith. Matthew 17:20
1. Notice The Comparison in The Similitude. “The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed” (Matthew 13:31). The mustard seed is compared to the kingdom of heaven. The “kingdom of heaven,” as it is used in the four Gospels, covers a wide range of meaning. It is sometimes used interchangeably with “kingdom of God” term. Matthew 12:28 In brief it speaks of the dominion of God or of Christ. It is used in a limited sense sometimes (such as you must be born again to enter the kingdom. John 3:3,
2. Notice The Count in The Similitude. “The kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 13:31). All eight of the parables in Matthew 13 are compared to the kingdom of heaven one way or another.
B. The Seed Is Sowed Matthew 13:31-32 The parable depends on the seed being sown. Without the sowing of the seed, there is no parable.
1. The Mention of The Sowing. “A man took, and sowed in his field”
Mathew. 13:31
2. The Meaning of The Sowing. “A man took and sowed in his field”
Matthew 13:31 In the first parable of this chapter, the sowing illustrated the proclaiming of the Word of God, for the seed represented the Word. In the second parable, the sowing illustrated the sowing of people, for in the parable the seed represented people. Here in this third parable, the sowing can represent either proclaiming the Word or the sowing of God’s people throughout the world. The purpose of the sowing is, of course, reproduction. No sowing means no reproduction.
3. The Material in The Sowing. “Grain of mustard seed” Matthew 13:31 That which is sown in this parable is mustard seed. The character of the seed is the key to the parable lesson. Two features about character need to be noted.
C. The Seed Is Successful Matthew 13:32
1. The Virtue In The Growth. “When it is grown, it is the greatest among the herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof” (Matthew 13:32). The tree’s phenomenal growth is spoken of in three ways.
First, The Biggest. “When it is grown, it is the greatest among the herbs.”
Second, The Branches. “Becometh a tree branches.” The seed developed so well that it became a tree with branches.
Third, The Birds. “So that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.”
2. The Vice in The Growth. “When it is grown, it is the greatest among the herbs, and becometh a tree so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof” (Matthew 13:32). There are some who believe this parable does not teach virtue but vice. Some teach that this parable shows corruption coming into the kingdom in the form of the birds in the tree and in the form of abnormal growth. However, the growth of this seed in Israel is not abnormal and the birds lodging in the tree do not illustrate corruption but emphasize the largeness of the tree. The seed much better illustrates the kingdom of heaven, for the ministry of Christ had a very small beginning. Christ was born in obscurity, lived in Nazareth in obscurity, was not a world traveler, yet His work has spread throughout the world.
II. THE PARABLE OF THE LEAVEN Matthew 13:33-35
A. The Circumstances Surrounding the Parable Matthew 13:33 This is the fourth and last parable given to the public in this chapter; for after this parable, “Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house”
(Matthew 13:36). The rest of the parables were given in private to the disciples. The first four were given in public and the last four in private. This kingdom parable uses both the term “kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 13:33) and the term “kingdom of God” (Luke 13:20) interchangeably.
B. The Contents in The Parable Matthew 13:33
1. The Leaven. “The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven” (Matthew 13:33).
2. The Lady. “Leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal” (Matthew 13:33).
3. The Loaves. “Hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened” (Matthew 13:33).
4. The Leavening. “Till the whole was leavened” (Matthew 13:33).
C. The Comfort We Get from The Parable Matthew 13:33
This parable is especially comforting in the last sentence of our text — “Till the whole was leavened” (Matthew 13:33).
1. The Work of Christ Collectively. “Till the whole was leavened” (Matthew 13:33). This statement does not mean the world will get better and better.
2. The Work of Christ Individually. “Till the whole was leavened” (Matthew 13:33), Philippians 1:6, Matthew 24:14
The Following verses in Matthew 13:34-40 speak on two subjects:
1. Why Parables Matthew 13:34-5
2. Jesus Gives the Interpretation of the First Parable: The Parable of The Sower, The Seed, And The Soils Matthew 13:36-41
