Jesus
is here confirming the fact that John the Baptist came in the spirit
of Elijah as the consummation of all things spoken of through the OT
Prophets, to bring about God's righteousness in man. He proclaimed
the end of all things of Judaism turned into Religion by the
priest's, for they had profaned, made vial or vain the law of Moses.
These things were spoken through the Prophets such as Daniel in 2:28,
44, 9:25, and king David in Psalm 2:6-12, 89:19-36, 110:1-4, and by
Isaiah in 9:6-7; then Matthew in 28:18, and Paul in Ephesians
1:12-23, [20-22].
He continued speaking to them, Know not this parable? and how then will you know all parables? The sower sows the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan comes immediately, and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution arise for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, chokes the word, and it becomes unfruitful. And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and it brings forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred. (parallel passages Matthew 13:18-23, Luke 8:11-15)
Then He said to them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. He continued on, Take heed what you hear: with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you: and to you that hear shall more be given. For he that has, to him shall be given: and he that has not, from him shall be taken even that which he has. (parallel passages Luke 8:16-18)
He said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knows not how. For the earth brings forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
He said, Whereto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed*, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it grows up, and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it. (parallel passages Matthew 13:31-32, Luke 13:18-19)
*With many such parables the Lord spoke of the mysteries of the kingdom because He was in an agricultural area of Israel and those who were workers of the fields know and understood His meanings, just as the people around the Prophets know and understood the symbolisms (similitudes) that they used. These things have caused may to stray from God's intent because of the error which is part of our very nature and this causes our perception to be askew. Jesus said that when He, the Spirit of Truth, would come that He would lead us into all Truth, which means the Lord is the only one who will remove the blindness or obscure, askewed vision from our understanding and perception. Then in John's synoptic gospel chapter 12 and verse 24 the Lord reveals the manor in which the mustard seed (trust) begins its process of growth into the law of Faith. When it starts out as a small measure of a certain size, the smallest of all seeds in the kingdom. This seed after usage, flexing as in a physical workout with barbells, becomes strong enough the move even mountains or kingdoms. It over shadows all other plants because of its greatness.
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