RSV ~ Matthew 13 Notes
Mt 13:1-51 | ISB Notes
The parables of the kingdom. Jesus speaks of the hidden mysteries of Godâs kingdom present in the Church. Of the seven, the parables of the Wheat and the Weeds (13:2430), the Hidden Treasure (13:44), the Pearl of Great Value (13:45-46), and the Dragnet (13:47-50) are found only in Matthew.
Mt 13:11 | ISB Notes
to you: Jesus speaks parables to the âgreat crowdsâ kilkJ (13:2) but explains them only to his disciples. While the illustrations are clear enoughâdrawn from everyday lifeâthe underlying truths remain obscure to the faithless (13:9, 13).
secrets of the kingdom: The inner circle of disciples accept Jesus with faith and are privileged to know Godâs mysteries (13:36-43).
⢠Jesusâ private instruction of his disciples reflects his intention to arrange the Church hierarchically. He invests his authority in the apostles (and their successors) to administer the sacraments (28:19; Jn 20:23; 1 Cor 11:25) and transmit Godâs truth through their teaching (28:20; Jn 17:17-20; 1 Cor 4:1; CCC 888-90).
Mt 13:14-15 | ISB Notes
A reference to Is 6:9-10.
⢠In context, God i commissioned Isaiah to preach judgment to the Israelites for their covenant infidelity. Similarly, Jesus uses parables to proclaim Godâs judgment on the faithless of his generation (cf. Mk 4:12; Lk 8:10).
Mt 13:18-23 | ISB Notes
The parable of the Sower illustrates how indifferent responses to the word of the kingdom (13:19) prove unfruitful (CCC 29). Distractions come from the world (13:22; 19:24), the flesh (13:21; 10:22; 26:41), and the devil (13:19; 10:28). On the other hand, fruit brought forth from the responsive heart abounds (13:23). Fruit is a common biblical image for the good works and faithfulness that flow from Godâs grace (7:17; 12:33; cf. Ps 1:1-3; Jer 17:10; Jn 15:5; Gal 5:22-23).
Mt 13:25 | ISB Notes
sowed weeds: Probably âdarnelâ, a slightly poisonous plant resembling wheat in the early stages of growth. Only when it fully matures can it be distinguished and separated from wheat (13:30).
Mt 13:32 | ISB Notes
becomes a tree: The parable of the Mustard Seed illustrates the contrast in size between the seed and the mature shrub, reaching nearly ten feet in height. Jesus likewise sows the kingdom in a small band of disciples, expecting it to grow into a worldwide Church.
⢠Similar metaphors used in the OT represent great empires as great trees (Ezek 31:1-13; Dan 4:12), including the kingdom of Israel (Ezek 17:22-24). In these instances, birds represent Gentile nations. Jesusâ parable thus points to the spread of the gospel and acceptance of Gentiles into the Church (28:19).
Mt 13:33 | ISB Notes
like leaven: Sometimes symbolic of evil in the world (16:5-12; 1 Cor 5:6-8). It has positive symbolism here. At one level, leaven represents the grace of the kingdom that sanctifies the world through the Church. At the personal level, leaven is the individual Christian called to bring the gospel to those around him.
three measures: i.e., about 50 pounds of meal, which here symbolizes the world.
The parable thus highlights a great disproportion: the little leaven is hidden yet actively raising a significant amount of meal.
Mt 13:35 | ISB Notes
by the prophet: A reference to Ps 78:2, attributed to Asaph. In 2 Chron 29:30 of the Greek OT, Asaph is called a âprophetâ. In any case, all OT writers were inspired by the Spirit and thus prophets (cf. 22:43; 2 Pet 1:20-21).
what has been hidden: Psalm 78:2 accents the positive function of parables: they enlighten the humble by revealing Godâs mysteries.
See word study: Parables.
Mt 13:36-43 | ISB Notes
The final separation of good and evil. Accordingly, Godâs forbearance toward sin and evil in the world will last only until the Last Judgment; in the meantime, saints and sinners will continue side by side in the Church. See note on Mt 25:31-46.
Mt 13:36 | ISB Notes
went into the house: Jesus shifts attention from the âgreat crowdsâ (13:2) to his private instruction of the disciples. See note on Mt 13:11.
Mt 13:39 | ISB Notes
the harvest: A biblical image for the Day of the Lordâ i.e., the time when God will judge all nations (3:12; cf. Jer 51:33; Hos 6:11; Joel 3:13; Rev 14:14-16).
Mt 13:42 | ISB Notes
gnashing of teeth: The wicked will experience punishment (CCC 1034). .
Mt 13:43 | ISB Notes
shine like the sun: Those resurrected to eternal life share in Jesusâ glory.
⢠The expression evokes Dan 12:3. In context, Daniel foresees the general resurrection, when the âwiseâ will be delivered from Godâs judgment and âshineâ for ever (Dan 12:1-4).
Mt 13:44-46 | ISB Notes
Two parables, the Hidden Treasure (13:44) and the Pearl of Great Value (13:45-46), that underscore the same point. Both stress that the kingdomâs value is inestimable, and surrendering earthly attachments is required to obtain it (19:21, 29; Phil 3:8). This may entail literal poverty (religious) or spiritual poverty (5:3) for those whose state in life involves ownership of property (laity) (CCC 546).
⢠Allegorically (St. Irenaeus, AH 4, 26, 1): Christ himself is the great treasure hidden within the field of the OT Scriptures. Only in light of his Cross and Resurrection can the mysteries of the Old be fully understood to announce the advent of Godâs Son.
Mt 13:47-50 | ISB Notes
The parable of the Dragnet envisions the Day of Judgment when the righteous are separated from the wicked (compare 13:49 with 25:32). Leading up to this event, men and women are gathered into the kingdom from all nations, just as a net pulled through the sea collects various species of fish. The fishermen of the parable are the apostles and missionaries of the Church (see 4:18-19). The angels are elsewhere linked with the coming of Christ in judgment (16:27; 2 Thess 1:7).
Mt 13:52 | ISB Notes
every scribe: Legal experts in first-century Judaism. Here it denotes the apostles instructed for the kingdom. Jesus equips them to evangelize and catechize (28:18-20) the world about the treasures hidden in the old Covenant and manifest in the new. Matthewâs own ministry follows this pattern: he continually cites the OT to explain its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.