ACC ~ Matthew 13 v13

WHY I SPEAK IN PARABLES

THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: It was frequently his habit to make use of parables for at least two reasons: either because he would be speaking about things unseen, so as, by the parable, to make invisible things seen, so far as this was possible. Or it was because of the unworthiness of the hearers, when nothing beneficial would come to them from the things that were said. But there was another, third cause for parables. Frequently, when he was saying something by way of refutation, he would by means of a parable temper the harshness of the refutations for the sake of the hearers, as when he tells the parable of the vineyard and says that “he will miserably destroy those evil men” and “will rent out his vineyard to others.” [1] In saying these things to the Pharisees, Jesus clearly avoided harsh language. FRAGMENT 73. [2]

[1] Mt 21:41.

[2] MKGK 120.

THEY DO NOT SEE

ANONYMOUS: If Jesus had said, “I will speak to them in parables so that seeing they may not see,” it might be thought to not be the fault of those Jews who did not understand but of Christ who spoke in such a way that they did not understand. But now he says, “This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see.” You must understand therefore it is not the fault of Christ who is unwilling to speak clearly but of those who while hearing are unwilling to hear. It was not because Christ was speaking in parables that they did not see but because of their way of seeing. Therefore Christ spoke to them in parables. Behold, they saw the wonders of Moses. Did they not truly see? If they did truly see, they certainly would have also feared God the worker of miracles. Behold, they heard the Teacher of the law. Did they not truly hear? If they did truly hear him, they certainly would have lived according to the law and believed in him about whom the law prophesied. They saw also the wonderful things, but seeing they did not really see. If they had seen them, they would also have profited by them. It is easier for those who see to know what they saw than for those who hear to understand what they heard. How did it happen that those who heard of the wonderful revelation of God did not see and know them? Because the Jews seeing were accustomed not to see and hearing not to hear; therefore God did not give them the eyes of faith to see Christ’s divine miracles or to hear his living words. INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 31. [1]

[1] PG 56:798.