“Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13,” Scripture Helps: New Testament (2024)
Scripture Helps
Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13
As Jesus traveled throughout Galilee during the second year of His ministry, He often taught in parables. He shared the parables of the sower, the wheat and the tares, the mustard seed, the leaven, the treasure hidden in the field, the pearl of great price, and the net cast into the sea. The Savior also continued to perform many mighty miracles such as calming a storm, casting out a legion of devils, and healing a woman on the Sabbath. He prophesied of His death and Resurrection.
Resources
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Background and Context
Why did the Savior teach in parables?
“The word parable comes from the Greek paraballo, which means ‘to set beside’ or ‘to compare.’ A parable, therefore, is a simple story in which the narrator compares the common experiences of his listeners to some divine truth.”
When asked why He taught in parables, Jesus responded, “Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.” Thus, a parable reveals truth depending on personal preparation. Elder David A. Bednar observed: “The intended meaning or message of a parable typically is not expressed explicitly. Rather, the story only conveys divine truth to a receiver in proportion to his or her faith in God, personal spiritual preparation, and willingness to learn. Thus, an individual must exercise moral agency and actively ‘ask, seek, and knock’ [see Matthew 7:7–8; Luke 11:9–10] to discover the truths embedded in a parable.”
How can we understand parables?
Consider how the following ideas can help you understand and find personal meaning in parables.
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Consider the context. What is the background of the parable? What event or questions prompted it?
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “I have a key by which I understand the scriptures. I enquire, what was the question which drew out the answer, or caused Jesus to utter the parable? … To ascertain its meaning, we must dig up the root and ascertain what it was that drew the saying out of Jesus.”
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Outline the parable by writing down important details. These could include objects or people involved, actions, and the results of actions.
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Look for meanings of objects or people in the parable. These can be found in the text, footnotes, by following cross-references, or considering the situation or question that prompted the parable.
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Make comparisons as you consider how people and objects relate to each other in the parable.
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Consider what Jesus Christ and His prophets have said about the parable.
What can we learn from the parables of gathering?
The seven parables recorded in Matthew 13 teach about gathering by comparing the “kingdom of heaven” to physical objects. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, “The sayings of the Savior, recorded in the 13th chapter of His Gospel according to St. Matthew, … in my mind, afford us as clear an understanding upon the important subject of the gathering as anything recorded in the Bible.”
The following chart summarizes some of the Prophet Joseph Smith’s teachings on the parables of gathering in Matthew 13. These teachings include topics such as the gathering of Israel and the growth and destiny of the Church from Jesus Christ’s day to the Millennium.
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Parable in Matthew 13 |
The Gathering |
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Parable in Matthew 13 Sower (verses 3–9, 18–23) | The Gathering “This parable [of the sower] was spoken to demonstrate the effects that are produced by the preaching of the word; and we believe that it has an allusion directly to the commencement, or the setting up, of the Kingdom in that age [New Testament times].” |
Parable in Matthew 13 Wheat and tares (verses 24–30, 36–43) | The Gathering “We learn by this parable [of the wheat and the tares], not only the setting up of the Kingdom in the days of the Savior, which is represented by the good seed, which produced fruit, but also the corruptions of the Church, which are represented by the tares, which were sown by the enemy, which His disciples would fain have plucked up, or cleansed the Church of, if their views had been favored by the Savior. But He, knowing all things, says, Not so. As much as to say, your views are not correct, the Church is in its infancy, and if you take this rash step, you will destroy the wheat, or the Church, with the tares; therefore it is better to let them grow together until the harvest, or the end of the world, which means the destruction of the wicked, which is not yet fulfilled.” |
Parable in Matthew 13 Mustard seed (verses 31–32) | The Gathering “‘The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed …’ [Matthew 13:31]. … This figure is given to represent the Church as it shall come forth in the last days. … Let us take the Book of Mormon, which a man took and hid in his field, securing it by his faith, to spring up in the last days, or in due time; let us behold it coming forth out of the ground, which is indeed accounted the least of all seeds, but behold it branching forth, yea, even towering with lofty branches and Godlike majesty, until it, like the mustard seed, becomes the greatest of all herbs. … God is sending down His powers, gifts, and angels to lodge in the branches thereof.” |
Parable in Matthew 13 Leaven (verse 33) | The Gathering “It may be understood that the Church of the Latter-day Saints has taken its rise from a little leaven that was put into three witnesses. Behold, how much this is like the parable! It is fast leavening the lump, and will soon leaven the whole. … “For the works of this example, see the Book of Mormon coming forth out of the treasure of the heart. Also the covenants given to the Latter-day Saints [the Doctrine and Covenants], also the translation of the Bible—thus bringing forth out of the heart things new and old, thus answering to three measures of meal undergoing the purifying touch by a revelation of Jesus Christ, … which will answer to the leaven which leavened the whole lump.” |
Parable in Matthew 13 Hidden treasure and pearl of great price (verses 44–46) | The Gathering “For the work after this pattern, see the Church of the Latter Day Saints, selling all that they have and gathering themselves together unto a place that they may purchase for an inheritance, that they may be together and bear each other’s afflictions in the day of calamity. “… See men traveling to find places for Zion and her stakes or remnants, who, when they find the place for Zion, or the pearl of great price, straightway sell that they have and buy it.” Note: In the early days of the Church, members were encouraged to gather to a common geographical location, such as Nauvoo or Salt Lake City. Today Church leaders have encouraged us to build up the Church where we live. |
Parable in Matthew 13 Net (verses 47–50) | The Gathering “‘Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a net that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind …’ [Matthew 13:47]. For the work of this pattern, behold the seed of Joseph, spreading forth the Gospel net upon the face of the earth, gathering of every kind, that the good may be saved in vessels prepared for that purpose, and the angels will take care of the bad.” |
What can we learn from the different types of soil in the parable of the sower?
(Compare Mark 4:1–9, 14–20; Luke 8:4–8, 11–15.)
In the parable of the sower (also called the parable of the soils), the field represents the world, and the sowers represent the Lord’s servants. The different types of soil represent the conditions of people’s hearts:
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The way side was a path or road around or through fields. It became hardened as farmers and travelers regularly walked on it. The hardness of the way side prevented seeds that fell on it from sinking into the soil and taking root. This allowed birds to easily see and eat the seeds.
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The stony ground was a rocky surface covered by a thin layer of fertile soil. Though seeds could grow shallow roots, the rock just below the surface prevented the roots from going deeper. Without deep roots, the plant was unable to withstand the scorching heat of the day.
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The ground with thorns was fertile soil; however, it was overgrown by thorns and other weeds that crowded out more productive plants and deprived them of water and nutrients.
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The good ground was fertile soil with sufficient depth for healthy roots so the plants could grow fruit.
What are tares?
Tares are a noxious weed grass also known as bearded darnel. “A poisonous fungus can infect the seeds of darnel, rendering flour made from darnel-contaminated grain toxic. Consuming the contaminated flour reportedly can cause a state of drunkenness, blindness, or even death.”
Before maturing and producing seed heads, tares have a very similar appearance to wheat. But once mature, wheat and tares are easy to distinguish. Thus, the only way to safely separate the wheat from the tares is to wait until harvest time.
What is a mustard seed?
(Compare to Mark 4:30–32; Luke 13:18–19.)
Most likely, this parable refers to the black mustard seed. This plant was common to Galilee during the time of the Savior. Though the seeds are very small, the mature plant “has been reported to grow up to ten feet [about 3 meters] and typically reaches three to six feet in height.” In its branches, small birds can forage for seeds and find refuge. The Savior used the parable of the mustard seed to teach that His Church would have a small beginning but would grow and become a place of refuge and protection for His people.
Left: Mustard seeds, showing their size in relation to a mustard pod and a pin. Right: A mustard plant.
What is the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price?
The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price have several details in common. In each parable, a man sold all that he had to purchase the valued item—a treasure and a pearl. In each instance, the valued item represents the gospel of Jesus Christ. Reading these parables together emphasizes the great value of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
One difference in these two parables is the way the treasure and pearl are found. In one parable, the man appears to accidentally find treasure in the field. In the other parable, the merchant man was actively seeking for pearls. This shows that no matter how we find the gospel of Jesus Christ, whether seemingly by accident or through actively searching, it is worth sacrificing everything we have to obtain it.
What do we know about the women who traveled with the Savior?
Mary Magdalene was a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ. Her devotion to the Savior likely started after He cast seven devils out of her. She witnessed the Savior’s Crucifixion and was present when His body was laid in the tomb. Mary was the first person to see the resurrected Christ.
Joanna was with Mary Magdalene and other women who prepared spices and burial ointments to anoint Jesus’s body after His Crucifixion. Joanna witnessed the empty tomb and with other women ran to report the news to the Apostles.
A woman named Susanna also accompanied Jesus in His travels, as did other women who had been healed by the Savior. These faithful women provided service and financial support for the Savior.
Is physical suffering a consequence of sin?
It was a common belief in Jesus’s day that physical suffering happened to those guilty of serious sin. Jesus used the stories of Galileans killed by Pilate and others killed by a falling tower to challenge this belief. Jesus also taught that while sin did not lead to these Galileans’ deaths, unless we repent, we all will perish spiritually.
Learn More
The Savior’s parables in Matthew 13
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Neil L. Andersen, “Drawing Closer to the Savior,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 73–76
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Dallin H. Oaks, “Parable of the Sower,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 32–35
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Frank F. Judd Jr., “Parables of Jesus: The Priceless Parables,” Ensign, Jan. 2003, 59–61
Women Who Followed Jesus
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Lani and John Hilton, “The Women Who Followed Jesus Christ from Galilee,” Liahona, Mar. 2022, 14–17
Media
Videos
“Parable of the Sower” (4:37)
“The Sower” (12:10)
“Jesus Declares the Parables of the Wheat and Tares, Mustard Seed, and Leaven” (2:21)
Images
The Sower, by George Soper