Gospel Doctrine: The Kingdom Parables

The Kingdom Parables
By John A. Tvedtnes

[Supplement to Gospel Doctrine New Testament lesson 22]

Jesus used parables to both illustrate what he wanted to teach and to conceal information from those who would not follow him. When he presented the parable of the sower, he added,

Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. (Matthew 13:9-11).

He then explained to his disciples the meaning of the parable (Matthew 13:18-23). [1]

Using parables, the Savior intended to teach his disciples “the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.” Indeed, he introduced each of the “kingdom” parables by saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like ...”

Thus:

The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field” (Matthew 13:24; see also Mark 4:26).
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind” (Matthew 13:47).

These parables teach that the kingdom will include both good and bad until the time of harvest when, at the coming of Christ, the wicked will be destroyed. (Revelation 14:14-16)

The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field (Matthew 13:31; see also Mark 4:30 and Luke 13:18-19).
The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened (Matthew 13:33; see also Luke 13:20-21).

These parables illustrate that although the kingdom was to be small in numbers in the beginning, it would grow to fill the whole earth. This concept is also found in Daniel’s vision of the stone cut out of the mountain (Daniel 2:45).

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field (Matthew 13:44).
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls (Matthew 13:45).

These parables demonstrate that the value of the kingdom is greater than anything else we might possess.

For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard (Matthew 20:1).

From this parable, we learn that all who repent, whether early or late in life, and remain faithful until the end, will receive the same reward.

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants” (Matthew 18:23).

The principle of forgiveness is the theme of this parable. It was prompted by Peter’s question, “How oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:21-22). The parable reinforces Jesus’ teaching that, if we wish to be forgiven by God, we must learn to forgive others (Matthew 6:12, 14-15; Mark 11:25-26; Luke 6:36-37; D&C 64:10). [2]

The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son (Matthew 22:2).

As in this parable, God invites everyone to come into his kingdom, but some refuse, while a few accept the invitation but are not properly attired with virtue to be allowed to stay. Jesus summarized, “For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14).

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom (Matthew 25:1).

In this parable, Jesus taught that we must be prepared when the bridegroom arrives. This alludes to the coming of the Savior in glory to reign on earth. The parable is explained in D&C 45:56-59:

And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins. For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived — verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.

And the earth shall be given unto them for an inheritance; and they shall multiply and wax strong, and their children shall grow up without sin unto salvation. For the Lord shall be in their midst, and his glory shall be upon them, and he will be their king and their lawgiver.

From this explanation, we learn that preparation for Christ’s return involves reliance on the Holy Ghost, here represented by the oil in the lamps that provide light. 3]

After a discussion of various parables, the Savior asked his disciples, “Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord. Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old” (Matthew 13:51).

The kingdom parables are just such a treasure, to which we can add more knowledge as we continue in the path leading to salvation in that kingdom.

For an introduction to the books of the New Testament and in-depth discussions of each verse in the New Testament, see Kevin L. Barney (ed.), John H. Jenkins, and John A. Tvedtnes, “Footnotes to the New Testament for Latter-day Saints,” go to: http://feastupontheword.org/Site:NTFootnotes

[1] Early Christian commentators understood the passage as illustrative of three different levels of reward (“some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold”), corresponding in Latter-day Saint terminology to the three degrees of glory. For a discussion of the parable of the sower, see John A. Tvedtnes, “A New Testament Parallel to Lehi’s Tree of Life Vision,” posted on the Meridian Magazine site at http://www.ldsmag.com/gospeldoctrine/nt/070307nt11sf.html

[2] If we hope to become like our Father in Heaven, we must learn to do as he does; that includes forgiving sins.

[3] For an in-depth discussion, see John A. Tvedtnes, “Olive Oil: Symbol of the Holy Ghost,” in Stephen D. Ricks and John W. Welch (eds.), The Allegory of the Olive Tree: The Olive, the Bible, and Jacob 5 (Salt Lake City: Deseret and FARMS, 1994).