Kingdom parables
The kingdom parables are Jesus’ parables that explain aspects of the kingdom of God or kingdom of heaven. They show how God’s reign is revealed, received, resisted, and brought to its appointed fulfillment.
At a Glance
The kingdom parables are Jesus’ parables that explain aspects of the kingdom of God or kingdom of heaven. They show how God’s reign is revealed, received, resisted, and brought to its appointed fulfillment.
Description
“Kingdom parables” commonly refers to the parables of Jesus that directly describe the kingdom of God or kingdom of heaven, especially those gathered in passages such as Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8 and 13. Through familiar images such as seeds, soils, weeds, leaven, treasure, and nets, Jesus teaches that God’s kingdom has arrived in a real but not yet complete way in His own ministry. These parables show that the kingdom advances according to God’s purpose, is received differently by different hearers, carries surpassing worth, and will end in a decisive separation and judgment at the close of the age. Orthodox interpreters may differ on how broadly to group these parables or on particular details of interpretation, but it is safe to say that they reveal both the present operation and the future consummation of God’s reign in and through Christ.