"I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world."– Matt. 13:35
The Parable of the Sower during Jesus’ famous preaching debut from the boat was just the start of his work that day. He later explained that one in detail privately to the disciples. Then he dealt out a handful of brief, pithy parables in rapid succession. In the Gospel of Mark, there is one parable…
There are only thirty or so major parables that Jesus gave in the New Testament, although he used a lot of figures and symbols in his teachings. But no explanations that he gave at the time to the disciples were handed down – except for two. Jesus explains the very first parable, the famous Parable…
Jesus first gained fame as a healer and wonder-worker. If making the blind see and the lame walk weren’t enough, surely the reputation of turning water into wine or feeding thousands would be enough to make anyone popular. But the real purpose of miracles seems to have been to draw crowds and make them more…
The first big public address that Jesus gave in the Gospel of Matthew is called the Parable of the Sower. It was certainly a fine one to start with. His use of natural imagery was vivid and instantly understandable and it set the tone of the urgent need to reform that characterized all his teaching.…