From the second to the third Passover festival 9 studies
- 1The parable of the lamp under a bushel
- 2The parable of the weeds and the wheat
- 3The parable of the mustard seed
- 4The parable of the leaven
- 5Evening explanation of various parables (the weeds)
Jesus’ ministry: callings, miracles and teachings 1 study
The last week before the arrest 1 study
From the second to the third Passover festival
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PER139
The parable of the lamp under a bushel
This article analyzes the parable of the lamp under a basket, explored in the Gospels. It emphasizes the importance of divine light for the disciple, showing how the Messiah Jesus uses this metaphor to illuminate divine truth and urge the disciples to be visible witnesses to their faith, while themselves remaining illuminated by the light of Christ.
Luke 8.16-18 (King James Version) :No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER141
The parable of the weeds and the wheat
The parable of the weeds and the wheat (Matthew 13.24-30), unique to Matthew, teaches that good and evil coexist in the world until the final judgment. In it, Jesus illustrates God's patience in delaying the separation of the righteous and the wicked until the eschatological harvest, entrusted to the angels. This parable forms part of a profound biblical reflection on the apparent prosperity of the wicked, shared by Habakkuk, Asaph, Jeremiah, and Job.
Psalms 73.3-12 (King James Version) :For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.Notefirm: Heb. fatThey are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.Notein…: Heb. in the trouble of other menNotelike: Heb. withTherefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.Notehave…: Heb. pass the thoughts of the heartThey are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER143
The parable of the mustard seed
The parable of the mustard seed (Mt 13.31-32; Mk 4.30-32; Lk 13.18-19) illustrates the Kingdom of God through a tiny seed becoming a large tree. Delivered near Capernaum in AD 31, it teaches that the Kingdom begins humbly but experiences extraordinary growth, offering refuge and welcome to all. It calls for faith, patience, and trust in God for spiritual growth.
Matthew 13.31-35 (King James Version) :Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER145
The parable of the leaven
The parable of the leaven (Mt 13.33-35; Lk 13.20-21) illustrates the quiet but powerful growth of the kingdom of God. Just as leaven transforms all the dough, the kingdom works gradually in people's hearts. Matthew links this teaching to the fulfillment of Psalm 78.2. Every believer is called to play an active role in this spread. Delivered near Capernaum around November–December 31, it is the fourth parable in the great discourse of Matthew 13.
Luke 13.20-21 (King James Version) :And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER146
Evening explanation of various parables (the weeds)
PER146 reports the explanation Jesus gave to his disciples concerning the parable of the weeds (Mt 13.36-43), a testimony found only in Matthew. Jesus reveals a method of interpretation along three lines: symbolic identification of the elements, the eschatological dimension, and practical application. This passage belongs to the discourse of the seven parables of the Kingdom of God gathered by Matthew in chapter 13.
Matthew 13.36-43 (King James Version) :Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER149
The parable of the net cast into the sea
The parable of the net (Mt 13,47-50), unique to Matthew, compares the Kingdom of heaven to a net gathering fish of every kind. At the final sorting, the good are kept and the bad thrown away, illustrating eschatological judgment. It teaches the universality of the Gospel, the reality of the final judgment carried out by the angels, and the urgency for believers to live in accordance with the teachings of Jesus.
Matthew 13.47-50 (King James Version) :Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER144
Other unrecorded parables
Pericope PER144 examines Mark 4.33-34, where it is acknowledged that Jesus told many parables not recorded by the evangelists. Set near Capernaum in November–December 31, this passage reveals Jesus' progressive teaching method: revelation adapted to his listeners, in-depth training of the disciples, and the importance of spiritual understanding. John himself acknowledges (Jn 20.30; 21.25) that the Gospels contain only a fraction of Jesus' teachings.
Mark 4.34 (King James Version) :But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER147
The parable of the hidden treasure
The parable of the hidden treasure (Mt 13,44), reported only by Matthew, teaches that the kingdom of heaven is of incomparable value. A man discovers a buried treasure, covers it up again, then sells everything to buy the field. This parable illustrates the joy and determination of the one who recognizes the supreme value of the Kingdom, ready to sacrifice everything to obtain it. It resonates especially with Matthew's own journey, for he himself had left everything to follow Jesus.
Matthew 13.44 (King James Version) :Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER148
The parable of the pearl of great price
The parable of the pearl of great price (Matt 13,45-46), recorded only by Matthew, presents a merchant who sells everything to acquire a rare pearl. It teaches that the kingdom of heaven surpasses every earthly possession in value and calls for a freely given sacrifice, lived out in the joy of spiritual discovery.
Matthew 13.45-46 (King James Version) :Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Jesus’ ministry: callings, miracles and teachings
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PAR004
The wheat and the weeds
The article analyzes the parable of the wheat and the weeds, in which Jesus explains the coexistence of good and evil in the world. This story emphasizes divine patience and the idea of a final judgment. Its lessons offer important spiritual insights for believers.
Matthew 13.24-30 (King James Version) :Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
The last week before the arrest
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PER305
Parable of the Ten Virgins
The parable of the ten young women teaches the importance of spiritual preparation for the Lord's return, illustrating two possible outcomes: being ready and entering with the Bridegroom, or arriving too late and finding the door shut.
Matthew 7.21-23 (King James Version) :Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org