OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IN MATT. 13. There are eight Parables in Matt. 13, and not seven, as is usually held. For the Structure of the whole chapter, see page 1336. The Parables themselves, apart from their respective contexts, may be
thus exhibited :--
Matt. 13:3-52.
The above Structures exhibits the eight Parables as a whole.
But without disturbing these correspondences, the four spoken outside
the house and the four spoken "within the house" have their own
separate Structures (Introversions, like the Structure of the whole),
corresponding with the other :--
The first four, outside the house. (Apparent failure.)
The last four, within the house. (Hidden purpose.)
The Four Parables outside the house, spoken to the multitudes, seem therefore to call for an exoteric interpretation; while the four spoken within the house call for an esoteric interpretation. In this case, the first four would find their interpretation in the three proclamations of John the Baptist, the Lord Jesus, and "them that heard Him" (see Ap. 95); the Leaven and the Tares showing the secret cause of the failure which led to the postponement of the Kingdom, while the Mustard Tree would exhibit the external consequences. The latter four would find their interpretation in "the secrets of the
kingdom of heavens" (Ap. 114), showing that notwithstanding the apparent
(outward) failure, God, all the while, has His hidden purpose concerning
the Remnant, His peculiar treasure hidden : the earthly calling,
in the field (which is the world), and "the heavenly calling", "in the
house"; and the end of the age would exhibit the one "pearl of great price"
: the Remnant, according to the Election of Grace, on the one hand,
and the "good and bad" receiving their awards, on the other.
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