To read the texts click on the texts: Ex 32:15-24,30-34; Mt 13:31-35
There are three parts to the text of today. The first is the parable of the mustard seed (13,31-32) then is the parable of the yeast (13,33) and finally the reason why Jesus speaks in parables (13,34-35).
While the parable of the Mustard seed is
found also in Mark 4,30-32, Matthew follows the Q version more closely. While
in Mark, the mustard seed becomes more correctly a shrub which puts forth large
branches (Mk 4,32) and the birds of the air make nests in the shade of the
shrub (Mk 4,32), in Matthew, the mustard seed becomes a tree (13,32) and the
birds of the air makes nests in its branches (13,32). The tree motif probably
has references to the symbol of the imperial tree mentioned in Ezekiel 17,23
and 31,6. The point, however seems to be to contrast the present lowliness of
the kingdom with its ultimate greatness.
In the parable of the yeast, we are told
about the act of a specific woman in hiding the yeast in three measures of
flour, just as the mustard seed had spoken about the act of a specific man in
sowing the seed. Yeast, here is used in the positive sense, whereas
generally it has negative overtones. The reason for the use of yeast as a
symbol for the kingdom is to probably shock the listeners. The quantity of
flour into which the yeast is hid is three measures, which would produce enough
bread to feed about 150 people, and is indeed a large amount, brings out the
aspects abundance and extravagance. The kingdom at present seems small and
insignificant, as is the yeast, but it will be revealed in its fullness later.
Though Mt 13,34 parallels the conclusion
of Mark’s parable discourse (Mk 4,33-34), which states that Jesus spoke to the
crowds only in parables, Matthew has added in 13,35 the eighth of his formula
or fulfilment quotations. The quotation is from Ps 78,2 and Matthew probably
uses it because of the word “parable” found in it, though the context in the
Psalm is not about hiding but about revelation.
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