 |  |
Berean Expositor Volume 4 & 5
The Parables.
Matt. 16:-25:
pp. 42-44
Having considered the important parable which threw such a lurid light upon the cause
of Israel's failure, we pass on to another series of parables which have a peculiar relation
to the second section of the Gospel according to Matthew. It will be remembered that in
Matthew the ministry of the Lord is divided into two sections by the words, "from that
time":--
"From that time Jesus began to preach and say, Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at
hand" (4: 17).
"From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto His disciples how that He must go
unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be
killed, and be raised again the third day" (16: 21).
Just as the parables of Matt. 13: are the mysteries of the kingdom of the heavens, and
have very special reference to the aspect of the Lord's ministry commenced at
Matt. 4: 17, so the series of parables contained in the second division of the Gospel have
a special relation to the new aspect of truth opened up by the Lord in His words
concerning His sufferings and death at the hands of the rulers of the people at Jerusalem.
These are divinely given keys, to ignore which is fatal to a true understanding.
Now just as we saw that the eight parables of Matt. 13: had a very definite structure,
so we shall see that the parables now under consideration have an orderly and suggestive
arrangement. (next page)
The imagery is derived from three classes of people, (1) servants (good and bad),
(2) labourers and husbandmen in a vineyard, and (3) guests at a marriage. These were
divinely chosen to set forth the state of the nation regarding their position before God,
their failure, and the consequences. One of the features of these parables is that on the
one hand they set forth the failure of the nation, whilst on the other they give a position to
the outside publican and sinner which the exclusive ideas of the Jews would not allow.
This is seen in the parable of the marriage feast (22:), the two sons (21:), and the
wicked husbandmen (21:).
Matt. 23: Says in plain words what this set of parables had taught in figure. The
nation had degenerated into a wicked people. viewed as sons they were rebellious and
disobedient, as husbandmen in charge of their Lord's vineyard they were envious,
murderers, and thought only of themselves. Viewed as labourers they were discontented
with their wage. Viewed as servants the majority were unfaithful and unprofitable. To
their charge was laid the death of both the Lord's servants and His Son (21: 38;
23: 34). The destruction of the city (Jerusalem) is plainly foretold, and the Gentile-ward