Parables of Jesus

in the
Gospel acc. to Matthew:
Fiery Teachings!
Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.
Loyola Institute for Spirituality
Orange, CA

R.E. Congress 2014

Hope: A World Afire!
 Thank You!
 For participating in R.E. Congress!
 For sharing our faith as catechists!
 For serving in many other ministries!

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 Jesus, the Story-Teller
 Jesus told MANY stories / parables
 But parables are FICTIONAL stories
 Not historical, not factual, didn’t really happen!
 Does that mean Jesus LIED?
 NO! Parables are not meant to be historical / factual
 Parables are FICTIONAL stories used
to convey religious or moral TRUTHS!
 So what exactly ARE “parables”?

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 What is a Parable?
 Brief Definition:
“A short story or simple image
used to illustrate a deeper message”
 Some are similes (“A is like B” – but not identical in all ways)
 Some are allegories (have one-to-one correspondences)

 But many parables are NOT so simple to understand!

 Illustration “Parables” by James C. Christensen

 http://www.jameschristensenart.com (see next page)

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 Parables of Jesus
 Scholarly Definition: “At its simplest…
a parable is a metaphor or simile
drawn from nature or common life,
arresting the hearer by its vividness
or strangeness,
and leaving the mind in sufficient doubt
about its precise application
to tease it into active thought.”
(C. H. Dodd, The Parables of the Kingdom, 1961, p. 5)
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 Implications of this Definition
 Metaphor or Simile:
Parables do not define things precisely
 Rather, they use comparisons to describe some aspect
of how God acts or interacts with human beings.
 To say “A is like B”
does NOT mean that “A is identical to B in all respects”

 Drawn from Nature or Common Life:

Parables might seem easy to understand
 No talking animals (fables) or alien beings (sci-fi)

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 Implications of this Definition
 Vividness or Strangeness:
Most parables contain something weird or unusual
 They should cause us to react,
“Wait a minute! Not so fast!”
“That’s not how farmers do their work!”
“That’s not what kings usually do!”
“That’s not how parents treat their children!”
“That’s not how bankers deal with debtors!”
 This strange element(s) is usually the key!
 Caution: What might seem strange to US today
may not have been strange for first-century hearers!
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 Implications of this Definition
 Leaving Sufficient Doubt:
The meaning of most parables is not so obvious
 If we assume we know what Jesus is talking about,
we are probably missing the main point!
 If we are too familiar with a story (having heard it so often)
we might not think carefully enough about its meaning.

 Tease into Active Thought:

Parables are open-ended; always deeper meanings
 Be careful not to misinterpret or misapply them.
 Don’t settle for simple explanations; keep on thinking!
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 Purpose of Parables?
 Any good teacher uses stories, easy to remember?
 But did Jesus even want everyone to understand?
 Mark 4:10-13 (citing part of Isaiah 6:9-10)
When he was alone, those who were around him along with the
twelve asked him about the parables. 11 And he said to them,
“To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God,
but for those outside, everything comes in parables;
12 in order that ‘they may indeed look, but not perceive,
and may indeed listen, but not understand;
so that they may not turn again and be forgiven.’ ”
13 And he said to them, “Do you NOT understand this
parable? Then how will you understand all the parables?”
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 Purpose of Parables? (cont.)
 Matt 13:10-17 (citing Isaiah 6:9-10 more fully)
Then the disciples came and asked him, "Why do you speak to them in
parables?" 11 He answered, "To you it has been given to know the
secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.
12 For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an
abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be
taken away. 13 The reason I speak to them in parables is that 'seeing they
do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.'
14 With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says:
‘You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but
never perceive. 15 For this people's heart has grown dull, and their ears are
hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look
with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart
and turn—and I would heal them.’
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.
17 Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what
you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”
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 Purpose of Parables? (cont.)
 Insiders vs. Outsiders?
 Did Jesus NOT WANT “outsiders” to understand?
Or was it the unfortunate RESULT of his preaching?
 Moreover: Do Jesus’ disciples really understand his teachings?
 Mark 4:33-34
“With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they
were able to hear it; 34 he did not speak to them except in parables,
but he explained everything in private to his disciples.”
 Matt 13:51-52
“Have you understood all this?” They answered, “YES.”
52 And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been
trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household
who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”
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 What Is the Mysterion?
 Mark 4:11
“To you has been given
the SECRET / MYSTERY (sg.)
of the kingdom of God,
but for those outside, everything comes in parables”

 Matt 13:11
“To you it has been given
to KNOW the SECRETS / MYSTERIES (pl.)
of the kingdom of heaven,
but to them it has not been given.”
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 What Is the Mysterion?
 Gk. Mysterion = SECRET / MYSTERY / KEY

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 KEY

Mysterion

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Parables in the Four Gospels
 Mark: only about 10 parables & related images
 Typical form: “The Kingdom of God is like…”
 MATTHEW: total of 28 parables
 8 from Mark; 10 also in Luke; 10 in Matt alone
 Luke: upwards of 36 parables
 9 from Mark; 10 also in Matt; 17 in Luke alone
 John: NO parables; only two related images
 John 10: Sheep & Shepherd
 John 15: Vine & Branches

 But here Jesus says, “I am…”

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 Parables in Mark’s Gospel
Parable Mark Matthew Luke
Garment & Wineskins Mk 2:21-22 Mt 9:16-17 Lk 5:36-39
Strong Man Mk 3:27 Mt 12:29 Lk 11:21
Sower & Seed Mk 4:3-8 Mt 13:3-9 Lk 8:5-8
Lamp on a Stand Mk 4:21 Mt 5:15 Lk 8:16 & 11:33
Seed Growing Secretly Mk 4:26-29 [cf. Mt 13:24-30] --
Mustard Seed Mk 4:30-32 Mt 13:31-32 Lk 13:18-19
Salt Mk 9:50 Mt 5:13 Lk 14:34
Wicked Tenants Mk 12:1-11 Mt 21:33-44 Lk 20:9-18
Budding Fig-Tree Mk 13:28-29 Mt 24:32-33 Lk 21:29-31
Doorkeeper Mk 13:33-37 -- [cf. Lk 12:35-38]
Total Markan Parables 10 Mt keeps all but 2 Lk keeps all but 2

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 (Coptic) Gospel of Thomas
 Discovered 1945 near Nag Hammadi, Egypt
 Full text in Coptic, from 4th Cent.
 Fragments in Greek, from 2nd – 3rd Cent.

 Collection of 114 Sayings of Jesus

Title: “These are the secret sayings that the living Jesus
spoke and Didymos Judas Thomas recorded.”
#1: And he said, “Whoever discovers the interpretation of
these sayings will not taste death.”
 About 18 of these Gosp.Thomas Sayings are very
similar to the Parables of the Synoptic Gospels
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Parables from the “Q” Source
Parable Mark Matthew Luke
Two Houses - Mt 7:24-27 Lk 6:47-49
Children in the Market Place - Mt 11:16-19 Lk 7:31-35
Return of the Unclean Spirit - Mt 12:43-45 Lk 11:24-26
Burglar - Mt 24:43-44 Lk 12:39-40
Servant entrusted with Supervision - Mt 24:45-51 Lk 12:42-46
Going before the Judge - Mt 5:25-26 Lk 12:58-59
Leaven - Mt 13:33 Lk 13:20-21
Great Supper - Mt 22:1-10 Lk 14:16-24
Lost Sheep - Mt 18:12-14 Lk 15:4-7
Pounds or Talents - Mt 25:14-30 Lk 19:12-27

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 Parables only in MATTHEW
 Wheat & Tares (13:24-30)
 Interpretation of Wheat & Tares (13:36-43)
 Treasure (13:44)
 Pearl (13:45-46)
 Net (13:47-48)
 Unmerciful Servant (18:23-35)
 Vineyard Workers (20:1-16)
 Two Sons (21:28-32)
 Guest w/o Wedding Garment (22:11-14)
 Ten Virgins (25:1-13)
 Last Judgment / Sheep & Goats (25:31-46)
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 Parables only in LUKE
 Two Debtors (7:41-43)
 Good Samaritan (10:25-37)
 Friend Asking for Help at Midnight (11:5-8)
 Rich Fool (12:16-21)
 Faithful Servants (12:35-38)
 Barren Fig-Tree (13:6-9)
 Closed Door (13:24-30)
 Choice of Places at Table (14:7-1l)
 Tower-Builder & King Planning for Battle (14:28-32)
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 Parables only in LUKE
 Lost Coin (15:8-10)
 Lost/Prodigal Son (15:11-32)
 Unjust Steward (16:1-8)
 Rich Man & Lazarus (16:19-31)
 Servant’s Reward (17:7-10)
 Widow & Unjust Judge (18:1-8)
 Pharisee & Publican (18:9-14)
 Throne Claimant (19:12, 14, 15a, 27)

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Four Evangelists & Jesus

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Matthew’s Portrait of Jesus
 Son of Abraham, Son of DAVID
 Implies he is the legitimate “King of the Jews”
 Unlike the Herodians (family of King Herod),
who are not “Davidic” (family of King David)
 KING of the Jews
 In Mark, title used first & only at Jesus’ trial (Mk 15)
 In Matt (already in 2:2), the Magi ask,
“Where is the newborn king of the Jews?”
 Matt has many more parables involving kings
 Also more royal allusions as Jesus enters Jerusalem
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Matthew’s Jesus
 Great Preacher & TEACHER:
 Jesus gathers “disciples” (4:18-22)
 Jesus “teaches” crowds (4:23; 5:2; 7:29)
 Teacher / Law-Giver, like MOSES:
 Many parallels between Jesus & Moses in the Infancy Narrative
 Both go up a mountain in relation to God’s Torah/Law
 Both fast for 40 days and 40 nights
 First 5 books of Hebrew Bible attributed to Moses
 In Matthew, 5 long speeches attributed to Jesus
 Jesus explains “Torah” (God’s instructions / teachings / precepts)
 Jesus explicitly upholds the teachings / laws of Moses;
doesn’t abolish them (Matt 5:17-20; 22:35-40; etc.)
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Matthew’s
Jesus:

Sermon
on the
Mount

Gustave Doré
(1860’s)
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 Matthew’s Jesus
 Five Great Discourses / Sermons
1) Sermon on the Mount: Matt 5–7

2) Missionary Instructions: Matt 10

3) Parables Collection: Matt 13

4) Community Instructions: Matt 18

5) Eschatological Sermon: Matt 23–25

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 Matt 5 (Sermon on the Mount)
Pericope Matthew Mark Luke
Introduction to the Sermon 5:1-2 -- 6:17-20
The Beatitudes 5:3-12 -- 6:21-23
Salt of the Earth 5:13 9:50 14:34-35
Light of the World 5:14-16 4:21 8:16
The Law and the Prophets 5:17-20 -- 16:16-17
1-On Murder and Wrath 5:21-26 -- 12:57-59
2-On Adultery 5:27-30 9:43, 47-48 --
3-On Divorce (dup. Mt 19:9) 5:31-32 10:11-12 16:18
4-On Oaths 5:33-37 -- --
5-On Retaliation 5:38-42 -- 6:29-30
6-On Love of One's Enemies 5:43-48 -- 6:27-28, 32-36
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 Matt 6 (Sermon on Mount, cont.)

Pericope Matthew Mark Luke

On Almsgiving 6:1-4 -- --
On Prayer 6:5-6 -- --
The Lord's Prayer 6:7-15 [cf. 11:25] 11:1-4
On Fasting 6:16-18 -- --
Treasures on Earth / in Heaven 6:19-21 -- 12:33-34
The Eye as Lamp of the Body 6:22-23 -- 11:34-36
Not Serving Two Masters 6:24 -- 16:13
Not Worrying (Birds / Lilies) 6:25-34 -- 12:22-32

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 Matt 7 (Sermon on Mount, concl.)
Pericope Matthew Mark Luke
Not Judging 7:1-2 [4:24] 6:37-38
Parable of Speck & Plank 7:3-5 -- 6:37-42
Not Profaning the Holy 7:6 -- --
God Answers Prayers 7:7-11 -- 11:9-13
The Golden Rule 7:12 -- 6:31
Two Roads & Two Gates 7:13-14 -- 13:23-24
Trees with Good or Bad Fruit 7:15-20 -- 6:43-45
Not just saying "Lord, Lord" 7:21-23 -- 6:46
Parable of Two Houses 7:24-27 -- 6:47-49
Conclusion: Effect of the Sermon 7:28-29 1:21-22 --
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 Matthew Loves Twos/Pairs
 Why?
 Sometimes to reinforce (two together)
 Sometimes to contrast (two opposed)

 Examples:
 Speck vs. Plank (7:3-5)
 Two Roads/Gates (7:13-14)

 Trees with Good Fruit vs. Bad Fruit (7:15-20)

 Not just saying “Lord, Lord,” but doing God’s will (7:21-23)

 Parable: Houses built on rock or on sand (7:24-27)

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32
Two Houses

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 Matt 10: Mission Discourse
Pericope Matthew Mark Luke
Choosing & Empowering the Twelve 10:1 3:13-15 & 6:7 6:12-13 & 9:1
Names of the Twelve Apostles 10:2-4 3:16-19a 6:14-16
Mission of the Twelve 10:5-16 6:8-11 9:2-5
Persecutions of the Disciples 10:17-25 [cf. 13:9-13] 12:11-12; 6:40
Have No Fear 10:26-33 [cf. 4:22; 8:38] 12:2-9
Division within Households 10:34-36 -- 12:51-53
Costs of Discipleship 10:37-39 -- 14:25-27; 17:33
Rewards for Hospitality 10:40-42 9:41 10:16
Conclusion of the 2nd Discourse 11:1 -- --

NO Parables in this Second Discourse

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 Matt 13: Sermon of Parables
Pericope Matthew Mark Luke
The Parable of the Sower 13:1-9 4:1-9 8:4-8
The Reason for Speaking in Parables 13:10-17 4:10-12 8:9-10
Interpretation of the Parable of the Sower 13:18-23 4:13-20 8:11-15
The Parable of the Tares/Weeds 13:24-30 [sub 4:26-29] --
The Parable of the Mustard Seed 13:31-32 4:30-32 13:18-19
The Parable of the Leaven 13:33 -- 13:20-21
Jesus' Use of Parables 13:34-35 4:33-34 --
Interpretation of the Parable of the Tares/Weeds 13:36-43 -- --
The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and of the Pearl 13:44-46 -- --
The Parable of the Net 13:47-50 -- --
Treasures New and Old 13:51-52 -- --
Conclusion of the 3rd Discourse 13:53 -- --
Jesus is Rejected at Nazareth 13:54-58 6:1-6a 4:16-30

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Matt 13: Parables from Mk/Lk
A. Parable of the SOWER and the Seed (13:1-9)
B. Discussion: why Jesus speaks in parables (13:10-17)
C. Interpretation of the Sower and the Seed (13:18-23)

D. Parable of MUSTARD SEED (13:31-32)

E. Parable of the LEAVEN (13:33)

THINK:
What aspects of these parables are strange or unusual?
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37
 Parable of the Sower
 What’s STRANGE about this parable?

 People usually focus on the end:

Four different types of SOIL

 Focus rather on the beginning:

The Action of the Sower!

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39
40
 Matt 13: New Parables
 Parables that stress the VALUE of God’s Kingdom:
 Parable of the HIDDEN TREASURE (13:44)
 Parable of the PEARL (13:45-46)

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 Matt 13:44-46
 44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a
field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he
goes and sells ALL that he has and buys that field.”
 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in
search of fine pearls; 46 on finding one pearl of great
value, he went and sold ALL that he had and bought it.”
 Strange Elements? Main Point?
 Both use highly exaggerated speech!
 Sell ALL for the sake of the Kingdom?
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 Matt 13: New Parables
 Parables that emphasize separation of Good vs. Bad:
1) Parable of WEEDS among Wheat, w/ interp. (13:24-30,36-43)
[replaces parable of Seed growing Secretly, Mark 4:26-29]
2) Parable of the NET (13:47-50)

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 SEED Growing Secretly (Mk 4:26-29)
He (Jesus) also said, “The kingdom of God is as if
someone would scatter seed on the ground, 27 and
would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed
would sprout and grow, he does not know how.
28The earth produces of itself, first the stalk,
then the head, then the full grain in the head.
29But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in
with his sickle, because the harvest has come.”
44
WEEDS among Wheat (Mt 13:24-30)
He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven
may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field;
25 but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed

weeds among the wheat, and then went away. 26 So when the
plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well.
27 And the slaves of the householder came and said to him,

‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then,
did these weeds come from?’ 28 He answered, ‘An enemy has
done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and
gather them?’ 29 But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds
you would uproot the wheat along with them. 30 Let both of them
grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the
reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be
burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’ ”
45
 NET (Mt 13:47-50)
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was
thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind;
48 when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down,

and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad.
49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will
come out and separate the evil from the righteous
50 and throw them into the furnace of fire, where

there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

46
 “Weeping & Gnashing”
Matt 8:12 – “while the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness,
where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Matt 13:42 – “and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be
weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Matt 13:50 – “and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping
and gnashing of teeth.”
Matt 22:13 – “Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw
him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”
Matt 24:51 – “He will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites, where there
will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Matt 25:30 – “As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where
there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Luke 13:28 – “There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac
and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrown out.”
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 Matt 13: Summary
 Central Collection of Parables in Matthew
 Parables taken over from Mark 4
 Parables added by Matthew that emphasize
the VALUE of God’s Kingdom
 Parables added by Matthew that emphasize
the SEPARATION of Good and Bad at the End Times
 Wicked Punished: much “weeping & gnashing of teeth”

 Conclusion of Matt 13:

 Matthew emphasizes that Jesus’ Disciples DO understand
and that they DO put Jesus’ teachings into practice/action
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 Matt 18: Community Discourse

Pericope Matthew Mark Luke

True Greatness 18:1-5 9:33-37 9:49-50
Warnings concerning Temptations 18:6-9 9:42-50 17:1-2
The Parable of the Lost Sheep 18:10-14 -- 15:3-7
On Reproving One's Brother 18:15-18 -- 17:3
"Where Two or Three are Gathered Together" 18:19-20 -- --
On Reconciliation 18:21-22 -- 17:4
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant 18:23-35 -- --
Conclusion of the 4th Discourse 19:1-2 10:1 --

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Community Discourse (Mt 18)
1) True Greatness (18:1-14)
a) Being like a little child
b) PARABLE of the Lost Sheep
2) Relationships within community of disciples (18:15-20)
a) Reproving a community member who sins
b) Four-step process for reconciliation
3) Teachings about forgiveness (18:21-35)
a) Peter asks how often he must forgive
b) PARABLE of Unforgiving Servant

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The Lost Sheep (Matt 18:12-14)

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 LOST Sheep (Mt 18:12-14)
“What do you think?
If a shepherd has a hundred sheep,
and one of them has gone astray,
does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains
and go in search of the one that went astray?
13 Andif he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it
more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.
14 So it is not the will of your Father in heaven
that one of these little ones should be lost.”
52
 On Forgiveness (18:21-35)
 Peter: “How often must I forgive, as many as 7 times?”
 Jesus replies: Not just 7 times, but 77 times (or 70x7 times)
 Not just a larger number, but extravagantly unlimited!
 As usual in Matt, Jesus illustrates his point with a parable:
 PARABLE of Unmerciful Servant (18:23-35)
 Longer story  several strange elements, plot twists
 King calls all servants to account; then focuses on one
 King switches between harsh justice & extravagant mercy

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Unmerciful Servant
(18:23-35)

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 Matt 18:23-35
“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared
to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.
24 When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten

thousand talents was brought to him; 25 and, as he could

not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his
wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to
be made. 26 So the slave fell on his knees before him,
saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you
everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the lord of that
slave released him and forgave him the debt.
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 Matt 18:23-35
28But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of
his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and
seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29
Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him,
‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 But he
refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he
would pay the debt. 31 When his fellow slaves saw what
had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they
went and reported to their lord all that had taken place.

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 Matt 18:23-35
32Then his lord summoned him and said to him,
‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because
you pleaded with me. 33 Should you not have had mercy
on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’
34And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured
until he would pay his entire debt.
35 So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you,
if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

57
Matt 18:23-35: Strange Parts?
 SIZE of Two Debts:
 First one: 10,000 talents (6000 denari each)
 Second one: 100 denari (laborer’s daily wage)

 CONTRAST between Two Servants:

 First one is “brought in” before the king
 He goes out and “finds” a fellow servant

 GOLDEN RULE:
 “Treat others as you want them to treat you.”
 More: “Treat others as GOD treats you!” (cf. Mt 6:14-15)

 Ending seems harsh: Does God really torture?

 Exaggerated language; stressing the need to forgive others
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Vineyard Workers (Mt 20:1-16)

59
 Vineyard Workers (20:1-16)
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out
early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After
agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent
them into his vineyard. 3 When he went out about nine o’clock,
he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; 4 and he said
to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you
whatever is right.’ So they went. 5 When he went out again
about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. 6 And
about five o’clock he went out and found others standing
around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here
idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired
us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ 60
 Vineyard Workers (20:1-16)
8 When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his
manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning
with the last and then going to the first.’ 9 When those hired about
five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage.
10 Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more;

but each of them also received the usual daily wage. 11 And when
they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, 12 saying,
‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal
to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching
heat.’ 13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no
wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? 14 Take
what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same
as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what
belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’
16 So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” 61
 Vineyard Workers (20:1-16)
 Landowner goes to market to hire day laborers:
 Owner himself, not his foreman? Keeps hiring more!
 At dawn, 3rd hour, 6th hour, 9th hour, 11th hour (5 p.m.)

 Workers are all paid at the end of the day:

 Last workers are paid first: a full day’s wage!
 First workers are paid last: the same amount!

 Is this FAIR? NO!

 But, this parable is not about (economic) JUSTICE
 Rather, about God’s MERCY (care for all the poor)

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Two Sons (Matt 21:28-32)

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 Parable of TWO SONS
 “What do you think? A man had two sons;
he went to the first and said,
‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’
29 He answered, ‘I will, sir’; and he went.
30 The father went to the second and said the same;
and he answered, ‘I will not’; and he did not go.
31 Which of the two did the will of his father?”

 REALLY? Is that what Jesus said?

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 Two Sons (Matt 21:28-32)
 “What do you think? A man had two sons;
he went to the first and said,
‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’
29 He answered, ‘I will not’;
but later he changed his mind and went.
30 The father went to the second and said the same;
and he answered, ‘I go, sir’;
but he did not go.
31 Which of the two did the will of his father?”
 Jesus applies this to contrast priests/elders vs. sinners
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OT: “Law of Rebellious Son”
Deut 21:18-21 – If someone has a stubborn and
rebellious son who will not obey his father and
mother, who does not heed them when they discipline
him, 19 then his father and his mother shall take hold of
him and bring him out to the elders of his town at the
gate of that place. 20 They shall say to the elders of his
town, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He
will not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.” 21
Then all the men of the town shall stone him to death.
So you shall purge the evil from your midst; and all
Israel will hear, and be afraid. 66
 Great Supper (22:1-10)
Guest w/o Wedding Garment (22: 11-14)

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 Matt 24—25: Final Sermon
Pericope Matthew Mark Luke
Woe to Scribes and Pharisees 23:1-36 12:37b-40 20:45-47
Jesus' Lament over Jerusalem 23:37-39 -- 13:34-35
Prediction of the Temple’s Destruction 24:1-2 13:1-2 21:5-6
Signs before the End 24:3-8 13:3-8 21:7-11
Persecutions Foretold 24:9-14 13:9-13 21:12-19
Desolating Sacrilege 24:15-22 13:14-20 21:20-24
False Christs and False Prophets 24:23-28 13:21-23 17:23-24
Coming of the Son of Man 24:29-31 13:24-27 21:25-28
Time of the Coming: Parable of the Fig Tree 24:32-36 13:28-32 21:29-33
Parable of the Flood; Exhortation to Watchfulness 24:37-44 13:35 17:26-36
Parable of Good Servant and Wicked Servant 24:45-51 -- 12:41-46
Parable of Ten Virgins 25:1-13 -- --
Parable of Talents 25:14-30 -- 19:11-27
Last Judgment (Sheep and Goats) 25:31-46 -- --
Conclusion of the 5th Discourse 26:1 -- --
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Eschatological Teachings (Mt 24:1-44)
 “Eschatological” = related to “the end” (Gk. eschaton)
 Various levels: cosmic, national, tribal, personal
 Not necessarily “apocalyptic”; but any “end” or “beyond”
 “Apocalyptic” = “uncover/reveal” (symbolic, not literal)
 Apocalyptic mentality is dualistic: good/bad, righteous/wicked
 Present world: good people suffer, wicked people prosper
 God’s future judgment: good rewarded, wicked punished
 Not meant to scare (the wicked) but to encourage (the good):
live rightly, act justly, be like God
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 Matt 24—25: Overview
 Eschatological/Apocalyptic Discourse:
Last of five major discourses in Matthew’s Gospel
 Many parallels with 1st discourse (Matt 5–7, Sermon on Mount)
 Jesus’ direct teachings about the future (24:1-44)
 Very similar to Mark 13 and Luke 17 & 21
 Four parables illustrate these teachings (24:45—25:46)
 First & third parables also in Luke
 Second & fourth parables only in Matthew

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Eschatological Teachings (Mt 24:1-44)
 Direct Teachings of Jesus to disciples about “the end”:
1) Coming destruction of Jerusalem
(70 AD: in Jesus’ future, Matthew’s past)
2) Signs before the end:
in heavens/earth; nature/disasters; society/politics
3) Persecutions of believers:
call to endure, remain faithful, not be led astray
4) Parousia: Coming of Son of Man (see Daniel 7:13)
5) WHEN? No one knows, but be prepared! (Matt 24:36-44)

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 Four Parables (Matt 24:45—25:46)
 Jesus again illustrates his teachings with parables
1) Good & Wicked Servants (Matt 24:45-51; Luke 12:41-46)
2) Ten Bridesmaids (only Matt 25:1-13)
3) Talents (Matt 25:14-30; also Luke 19:11-27)
4) Sheep and Goats (only Matt 25:31-46)
 Need for preparedness & coming judgment/separation
 All four emphasize “separation/division” of good vs. bad,
prepared vs. unprepared, action vs. inaction
 Master’s “coming” (parousia) is promised, but delayed
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Good/Wicked Servants (Matt 24:45-51)

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 Good/Wicked Servants (Matt 24:45-51)
“Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom his master
has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves
their allowance of food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that
slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. 47
Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his house.
48But if that wicked slave says to himself, ‘My master is
delayed,’ 49 and he begins to beat his fellow slaves, and eats
and drinks with drunkards, 50 the master of that slave will
come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour
that he does not know. 51 He will cut him in pieces and put
him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and
gnashing of teeth.”
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Ten Bridesmaids (Matt 25:1-13)

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Ten Bridesmaids (Matt 25:1-13)
 NT Greek LAMPAS = “torch” (only much later = “lamp”)
 NT Greek LYCHNOS = “light; clay lamp”

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Macedonian Orthodox
Wedding Procession

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Ten Bridesmaids (Matt 25:1-13)
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this.
Ten bridesmaids took their torches and went to meet the
bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were
wise. 3 When the foolish took their torches, they took no oil
with them; 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their torches.
5 Asthe bridegroom was delayed, all of them became
drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a shout,
‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’
7 Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their
torches.
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Ten Bridesmaids (Matt 25:1-13)
8 The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil,
for our torches are going out.’ 9 But the wise replied,
‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had
better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’
10 And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came,

and those who were ready went with him into the
wedding banquet; and the door was shut.
11 Later the other bridesmaids came also,

saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’

12 But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’

13 Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” 79
Talents (Matt 25:14-30)

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 Talents (Matt 25:14-30)
“For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his
slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15 to one he
gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each
according to his ability. Then he went away.
16The one who had received the five talents went off at
once and traded with them, and made five more talents.
17In the same way, the one who had the two talents made
two more talents.
18But the one who had received the one talent went off
and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
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 Talents (Mt 25:14-30, cont.)
19 After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled
accounts with them. 20 Then the one who had received the FIVE
talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master,
you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more
talents.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trust-
worthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put
you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’
22And the one with the TWO talents also came forward, saying,
‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two
more .’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trust-
worthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put
you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’
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 Talents (Matt 25:14-30)
24 Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward,
saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where
you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed;
25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here

you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master replied, ‘You wicked and
lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and
gather where I did not scatter? 27 Then you ought to have invested
my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received
what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and
give it to the one with the ten talents. 29 For to all those who have,
more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those
who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 30 As for
this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there
will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
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Sheep & Goats (Matt 25:31-46)

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Sheep & Goats (Matt 25:31-46)
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels
with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32 All the
nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate
people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep
from the goats, 33 and he will put the sheep at his right hand
and the goats at the left.
34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come,

you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom

prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was
hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me
something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,
36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you

took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 85

Sheep & Goats (Matt 25:31-46)
37 Then the righteous will answer him,
‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you
food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And
when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you,
or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we
saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’
40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as

you did it to one of the least of these who are members

of my family, you did it to me.’

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Sheep & Goats (Matt 25:31-46)
41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are
accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the
devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no
food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a
stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not
give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’
44 Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw

you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in

prison, and did not take care of you?’ 45 Then he will answer
them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of
the least of these, you did not do it to me.’
46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the

righteous into eternal life.” 87

Conclusion: Parables in Matthew
 DISCIPLESHIP:
 100% Commitment
 Put Faith into ACTION!
 Be just like God!
 FINAL JUDGMENT:
 Separation of Good vs. Evil
 Based not on words, but on DEEDS
 Forgiveness, Service, Charity

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Questions? Comments? Discussion?

 THANK YOU for attending R.E. Congress!

 May your faith continue to grow & deepen!
 Visit Loyola Institute: Booths #261—267

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