Mar 17, 20233 min read

“Who Hath Ears to Hear, Let Him Hear”

Updated: Mar 21, 2023

Matthew 13 (INT); Luke 8 (INT); 13 (INT)

Videos and Podcasts

Video/ Podcast	Lesson Extension	Additional Materials
Scripture Central	Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13	Teaching Tips
Follow Him	Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13 Part 1, Part 2	Transcript
Line Upon Line	Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13	FHE Lesson
Teaching with Power	Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13
Don't Miss This	Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13
CFM New Testament	Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13	Handout
Unshaken	Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13 Part 1, Part 2
The Interpreter Foundation	Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13	Study helps by Jonn Claybaugh
Teaching Helps with John Hilton	Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13
Talk of Him	Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13
Ponderfun	Matthew; Luke 8; 13
Talking Scripture	Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13	Show Notes

Resources and Insights about this Week's Lesson

This lesson focuses on the Parables and Allegories of Jesus Christ. A Parables & Allegory link has just been added to the website. This section lists the parables and allegories in two ways: a table at the top of the page lists the parables in the order they appear in the New Testament with cross-references to where the parables are included in the different Gospel accounts. Then the parables and allegories are listed alphabetically with brief descriptions and another link that will take the reader to a more detailed summary. This page will include KJV and Interlinear (INT) links and references, such as Conference materials, videos, and more. This section is still under construction as various entries, links, and resources are still being added. As this will take some time to complete, your patience is greatly appreciated.

The Greek word παραβολή "Parable" is a compound word made up of παρά [para] and βάλλω [vallo]; it literally means "around throwing," suggesting the idea of throwing something out to examine it side-by-side. Words are fascinating and can teach many things, especially when we study their histories and origins. For example, let's examine the word parable. The stem para- means "around, by, near, beside, against, contrary to,"; and we see this stem in several English words such as parameter "around measure," paragraph "around writing," and parasite "feed beside." The stem -vallo means to "throw, toss, scatter, or project outward," and it is where English words such as ball, ballet, and vault were derived. While all these words might initially seem completely unrelated, one can see they were all derived from a similar source.

The study of the origin of words is called etymology, which is also derived from Greek roots. The word ἐτυμολογία, which is itself a compound word, is comprised of ἔτυμος [etymos] "true sense" + λόγος [logos) which means "word, logic, reason, account, study, reckoning..." Logos is the word John used to open his gospel, "In the beginning was the logos (word)."

Connecting with the language, context, and history is key to learning how to truly understand the parables that Christ taught. One needs to understand them in the way that Jesus intended them to be understood, and sometimes translations, and translations of translations, can muddy the waters, leading to confusion, misinterpretation, and misunderstandings. This is where an Interlinear translation can be very helpful, and Interlinear links (INT) are frequently added to the scriptures listed on these resource pages. Much can be learned and clarified by analyzing scripture from its earliest sources. We must also remember that while some of Christ's teachings may have been given in Greek, they were more likely originally delivered in Aramaic, so looking at Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew sources is very helpful. This can help clarify meaning and help the reader connect to significant word plays, literary devices, and references that the Savior frequently used in his parables, allegories, and teachings.

Like anything worthwhile, this is a skill that takes practice and time to develop, let alone master, but this is a process that can be very rewarding. Many who engage in this pursuit find their scripture study more meaningful and exciting as they learn to dig up hidden treasures and pearls of valuable wisdom. For this site, Blue Letter Bible's Interlinear Bible (BLB) is frequently referenced; it is a free, reliable, and easily accessible resource. BLB also does an excellent job breaking down the grammatical structure of passages for those who are not as familiar with the languages; this is really helpful for beginner and intermediate language students. Tutorials for BLB are listed below to help readers learn how to navigate the site.

Major Topics & Events

Major Events/ Doctrines	Location	Scripture Source	Cross-References	Videos
Christ teaches with the Twelve in Galilee		Luke 8:1–3
Female Disciples		Luke 2		See Lynne Wilson's Video & Commentary
* Continuation of Miracles addressed in previous lessons: Stills a storm, Casts out a legion of evil spirits, Raises Jairus’s daughter, Heals woman with an issue of blood		Luke 8:22–25; Luke 8:26–39; Luke 8:41–42, 49–56; Luke 8:43–48	Matthew 8:23–27, Mark 4:35–41; Matthew 8:28–34, Mark 5:1–20; Matthew 9:18–20, 23–26, Mark 5:21–24, 35–43; Matthew 9:20–22, Mark 5:25–34,
Second rejection at Nazareth		Matthew 8:28–34, Mark 5:1–20, Luke 8:26–39
Parables:
Future of the kingdom		Matthew 13:1–53, Mark 4:1–34, Luke 8:4–18		The Kingdom of Heaven
Discourse from a boat		Matthew 13:2, Mark 4:1
Sower CFMCorner Insights		Matthew 13:3–9 , 18–23, Mark 4:3–9 , 14–20, Luke 8:4–8, 11–15		Understanding the Parable of the Sower
Why parables?		Matthew 13:10–17 , 34–35, Mark 4:10–13, Luke 8:9–10		Parables of Jesus
Candle		Luke 8:16–18, Mark 4:21–25
Tares		Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43, Mark 4:26–29
Mustard seed		Matthew 13:31–32, Mark 4:30–32, Luke 13:18–19		Parables of Jesus: Jesus Declares the Parables of the Wheat and Tares, Mustard Seed, and Leaven
Leaven		Matthew 13:33, Luke 13:20–21
Treasure in field		Matthew 13:44
Pearl of great price	Galilee	Matthew 13:45–46
Net	Galilee	Matthew 13:47–50
Householder		Matthew 13:51–52
Finishes parables of the kingdom	Galilee	Mark 4:33–34