Matthew 13:51-58

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Unbelief of the People, Despite the Lord’s Wisdom and Miracles

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. A scribe brings out the new and the old from his treasure.

  2. A prophet is not without honor except at home.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Is Jesus more than a carpenter to you?

QUESTIONS

  1. Why did Jesus speak to the multitudes in parables?

  2. What new truth was being revealed for the first time in the parables of the kingdom?

  3. Who is the scribe of Matthew 13:52?

  4. Where did Jesus travel to in Matthew 13:54?

  5. The people of Nazareth could not see Jesus as more than the son of Joseph, the carpenter. How do people today have a similar response?

ANSWERS

  1. So that unwilling and unrepentant hearers would not understand. The disciples and other willing listeners would hear and understand. (Matthew 13:13,16)

  2. The truth about the present form of the kingdom, when the gospel would go out to the Gentiles, was being taught for the first time.

  3. He is not one of the unbelieving Jewish leaders; he is a scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom.

  4. He went to His hometown of Nazareth, in the region of Galilee.

  5. People today acknowledge that Jesus was a historical figure, who had moral teachings and even performed miracles. But they are not willing to admit more than this. They will not accept the truth that Jesus is the Son of God.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. When Jesus asked His disciples if they understood the teaching of His parables they responded, “Yes, Lord.” Surely they did not completely understand the new truths of the kingdom. Yet the disciples knew more than they did before. They also knew more than the Scribes and Pharisees who were so proud of their knowledge. What about you? Are you progressing in your knowledge of the things of the Lord? You will not understand everything all at once. Are you thankful for the things the Lord has enabled you to understand?

  2. Read Matthew 17:52. Like a householder we should bring out of the treasure of scripture things both old and new. The Old Testament is full of treasure for the believer today. Yet often in our churches and preaching we focus only on the New Testament. Discuss some valuable truths we learn from the Old Testament scriptures. Be a good scribe and commit yourself to exploring the treasure of both the Old and New Testaments.

CHALLENGE

  1. Don’t take for granted the gifted fellow believers in your assembly. Appreciate the ministry they do and thank them for it this week!

KEY VERSES

  • “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.” Matthew 13:52

  • “Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” Matthew 13:58



Matthew, Talks, New TestamentDeb HarmsMatthew 13:51-58