2. Context: The context for Matthew's parables is that they come right after the section on mounting hostility to Jesus and his mission (in which Jesus establishes that every one of His followers and who does the will of God is his brother and sister) and right before more of Jesus' miracles and teachings outside Galilee. In Mark's Gospel, the preceding is the same, but it is followed by more works in Galilee. Luke's parables also follow the telling of Jesus' works and miracles. They are followed by His journey to Jerusalem.

3. Relevant Footnotes: Matthew 13:11 - A parable is figurative speech and there is more to it than just the story. One has to reflect on the story to understand its meaning. God grants the gift to understand to his disciples but not to the crowds. This fulfills Isaiah's prophecy. Matthew 13:31-33 - This illustrates how small the kingdom of God starts out with the preaching and healin

5. Old Testament Cross-references: Matthew 13:14 - There is a reference to a prophecy by Isaiah which says, "You shall indeed hear but not understand, you shall indeed look but never see. Gross is the heart of this people, they will hardly hear with their ears, they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and be converted and I heal them." Matthew 13:32 - this can be traced back to Ezekiel 17:23 which says basically the same thing, "on the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it. It shall put forth branches and bear fruit, and become a majestic cedar. Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it, every winged thing in the shade of its boughs." A tree of the Lord will represent a dwelling for His people. Mark 4:12 and Luke 8:9 have the same reference as Matthew to Isaiah. Luke also has the same reference to Ezekiel as Matthew. The rest of the passages have no Old Testament cross-references.

6. Commentary: Meaning of Parables -- Barclay says that for the meaning for the parables, that the Greek word for secret is musteria. This originally meant to the New Testament society, "something which was unintelligible to the outsider but crystal clear to the man who had been initiated" (Barclay). In other words, Christianity can only be understood from the inside, through a personal experience. So Jesus spoke in parables because common, outsider, men could not see the truth in any other way. This was a deliberate act of God. There was great despair felt for all the followers, but faith was the key to long term happiness. Parable of the Mus

Some common words found in the essay are:
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