§110. The Parable of the Householder(Matt 13:51–53)

Introduction

 

51. Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” 52 Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.” 53 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there.

1. The background of this passage is important to understand this Parable.

2. If I ask you why Jesus spoke in parables? Most popular response would be some thing like this" 'Jesus spoke in parables because it was easier for common people to comprehend complex spiritual truths.

3. The same question was asked to Jesus by his disciples and what was his response? Mat 13:11. He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. ...13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. Though it may look strange, Jesus spoke parables to so that people will not understand. Why is it so? Let me explain quickly.

4. Look at Matthew chapter 12 and we see that in spite of clear teaching and numerous miracles, the multitude refused to accept Jesus as the promised Messiah. Jesus, therefore, reveled the mysteries only to the disciples and not to the multitudes. Obviously, the mystery he reveled through the seven parables in Mathew 13 refers to the church.

5. This is the context of the text for this talk.

Exposition

 

51. Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”

1. After giving these parables and explanation of some of them, Jesus ask the disciple the question: "Have you understood all these things?"

2. The first point that I want share is the importance of understanding God's word. It is of no use to read or even memories Bible with out understanding what the Holy Spirit want to communicate through what we read or heard.

3. What was the response of the disciples? They said: "Yes,Lord". Did they understood all things? The rest of this gospel clearly shows that they did not understand many things. Then, where these disciples telling lie? No at all.

4. The second point I want to share is that just like these disciples eventually grow mighty in the word, so is also our growth progressive. so take effort to grow in your understanding.It involves life long devotion to the word.

 

52. Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”

1. This parable speaks of the scribe of the kingdom of heaven. Who is scribe? Scribe is a man learned in the Mosaic law and in the sacred writings, an interpreter, teacher. Scribes examined the more difficult and subtle questions of the law; added to the Mosaic law decisions of various kinds thought to explain its meaning and scope. Since the advice of men skilled in the law was needed to find the solution of the difficult questions.

2. The term instructed is the verb form of the noun 'disciple' in the original language: (matheteuo). This means that the scribe which Jesus refers is a disciple of the Lord who is instructed by the Lord. It speaks of disciple of the Lord, who is instructed by the Lord.

3. The third point that I want to speak is that we must be taught by the Lord concerning his church and the ministry of the Word.

4. The second part of this verse is a small parable: like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old. NT teacher or disciple is likened to an owner of house who give food to the members of the house.

5. Some food is old: like oil, wine, nuts, grains, etc. Some are new: like fruits and vegetables. A healthy meal comprises of both. A good house owner will ensure balanced diet.

6. The fourth point that I want to tell is that, similarly, the Lord expect his disciples' teaching should involve both old revelation as well as new. Both are 'connected' but 'distinct.' What does it mean?

7. Let's look at Jesus himself. He was the promised Messiah of the OT. Jews expected a reigning king like David or Solomon. This is true also. However, it also has a new perspective. He is also a suffering servant. Both these revelations are connected, but distinct.

8. The entire OT revelation and the NT revelation needs to be combined to have a health understanding of the Word of God. I will give three examples:

9. (A) Peter say's in his epistle that we are the royal priest. NT does not define who is a priest and what are his functions. Whereas the OT give details of who is a priest and what are his functions. In the OT only the sons of Aaron will be the priest and they ministered in the temple performing the sacrifices for the rest of the Israel. Today we are his priest and should intercede for the people of this world and perform the 'sacrifice' of Christ to the world.

10. (B) Paul says concerning the wilderness journey that: 1 Co 10:6. Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. So every event and every instruction in the OT is relevant to us, but distinct. Christian journey is like the wilderness journey: the danger, the warning, the insights, and the direction that we require in our daily life is there in the OT.

11. (C) The dietary laws: How does we understand the OT dietary laws which says you should not eat unclean animals but only the clean ones. Many think that these are not applicable and do not read those portions. How should a NT believer understand this? First ask this question. Why the Lord gave such a rule in the OT? It is to show that His people are different from the rest of the nations. This principle is applicable today also. But our life, we should show that we are different from the people of the world.

12. So the fourth point is that our teaching should blend or combine both OT and NT.

 

53. Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there.

1. .

Application

1. Understand: Understand what the Holy Spirit is teach us from every time we read or hear the word of God.

2. Progression: We also needs to Progress in our understanding of the scripture.

3. Instruction: We need to be instructed or discipled by the Lord with insights about life and ministry from his word.

4. Blending:Our teaching and learning must involve every blending both OT and NT.

5. Example: Ezr 7:10. For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.

About this document ...

Compiled by tfrdn7@gmail.com on 2026-04-12 23:32 for the glory of the Lord