PARABLE 13 - 15 - The Three Kingdom of Heaven Parables

THE THREE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN PARABLES (13 – 15)

Jesus had recently told the parable of the four types of soil, then the parable of the weeds among the good plants, and now he tells this parable, recorded only by Mark, about plants growing from seed. 

PARABLE 13 — THE GROWING SEED

MARK 4:26 – 29 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. 28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. 29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

PARABLE 14 — THE MUSTARD SEED

(Also appears in Matthew 13:31-32 and Luke 13:18-19) 

Mark 4:30 – 32 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? 31 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: 32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

PARABLE 15 — THE LEAVEN (YEAST)

(Also appears in Luke 13:20-21) 

Matthew 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

  

Discussion Questions – Parables 13 – 15

THREE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN PARABLES (13 - 15)  

THE GROWING SEED - PARABLE 13

1. Who does the man who plants the seed represent? The seed? The plant it grows into? The soil? Think before you answer. 

The man represents the planter of the seed who might be Jesus or might, in fact, be a believer planting the seed in a non-believer. The seed represents the word of God (it does not represent a person, which may be a bit confusing, because the mature plant does, in fact, represent a believer). In this parable and the previous ones, people also seem to be initially represented by the soil (“All by itself the soil produces grain...” 4:28). 

The first thing we notice about this parable is its similarity to the Parable of the Sower in Mark 4:2-9. In some ways, this parable expands on Jesus’ teaching of how the “good soil” (a receptive heart) receives the “seed” (the Word of God).

2. What was the growth process like for the seed in the parable? (4:27-28) Quick or gradual? Well understood or mysterious? What’s the meaning of the parable? 

In the Parable of the Growing Seed, Jesus tells of a man who scatters seed on the ground and then allows nature to take its course. As the man who sowed the seed goes about his business day by day, the seed begins to have an effect. First, the seed sprouts; then it produces a stalk and leaves, then a head of grain, and, finally, fully developed kernels in the head. Jesus emphasizes that all of this happens without the man’s help. The man who scattered the seed cannot even fully understand how it happens—it is simply the work of nature. “All by itself the soil produces” (verse 28).

The parable ends with a harvest. As soon as the grain is ripe, the sickle is employed, and the seed is harvested. This happens at just the right time.

Jesus did not explain this parable, as He did some others. Instead, He left it to us to understand its meaning. Taking the seed to be the Word of God, as in Mark 4:14, we can interpret the growth of the plants as the working of God’s Word in individual hearts. The fact that the crop grows without the farmer’s intervention means that God can accomplish His purposes even when we are absent or unaware of what He’s doing. The goal is the ripened grain. At the proper time, the Word will bring forth its fruit, and the Lord of the harvest (Luke 10:2) will be glorified.

The truth of this parable is well illustrated in the growth of the early church: “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow” (1 Corinthians 3:6). Just like a farmer cannot force a crop to grow, an evangelist cannot force spiritual life or growth on others.

To summarize the point of the Parable of the Growing Seed: “The way God uses His Word in the heart of an individual is mysterious and completely independent of human effort.” May we be faithful in “sowing the seed,” praying for a harvest, and leaving the results to the Lord!

What’s the meaning of the parable? It seems to be that “once planted in a fertile mind, the gospel message contains its own power to grow and mature.” 

3. Does the seed have anything to do with being “born again?” (1 Peter 1:22-25) How about with saving your soul? (James 1:21) 

These three verses show how the seed, which is actually the word of God, can work within you. 

1 Peter :22-25, ”Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.”

Isaiah 40:6-8, For, “All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.”

James 1:21, “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” 

4. Does this parable imply an obligation for believers to sow the seed, water it, and fertilize it in others, i.e., speak of your faith to others? (1 Corinthians 3:6–9) 

Answer: Yes to all of the above. All Christians have an obligation to plant seeds, water them, and fertilize them by speaking of our faith or giving our testimony to others. 

1 Corinthians 3:6–9, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.”

THE MUSTARD SEED – PARABLE 14

5. Jesus often referred to mustard seeds in what context? (Matt 17:20, Luke 17:6) 

In Matthew 17:20 Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Again in Luke 17:6 we have: He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.”

6. The parable of the mustard seed (Mark 4:30-32) may have been confusing to some of Jesus’ listeners, but clearer to others. The mustard seed is not the smallest seed, but it is small compared to the seeds of other vegetables and herbs. What is Jesus saying here? 

The Parable of the Mustard Seed is contained in all three of the synoptic gospels. However, the Gospel of Matthew provides us with the most side-veiw information, as it includes one parable before and after the mustard seed parable, each teaching on the same subject. 

Each of the three parables: the weeds among the wheat, the mustard seed, and the yeast have six common elements in them, providing structure which helps us to interpret the individual parables. The common elements are: 

(1) a similitude about "the kingdom of heaven," and the earthly sphere of profession; 

(2) “a man,” Christ; 

(3) “a field,” the world; 

(4) “seed,” the Word of God or its effect; 

(5) ”growth” or “spreading,” church growth; and 

(6) the presence of evil, symbolized by weeds, birds of the air, and yeast.

The Parable of the Mustard Seed was taught here in a comparable exaggeration. Here, Jesus uses a shrub/tree coming from a seed (John 12:24) to represent kingdom growth, consistent with other tree/kingdom references (Ezekiel 17:23 and Daniel 4:11-21). The seed’s growth attracts the presence of evil—depicted as birds (Matthew 13:4,19; Revelation 18:2)—to dilute the church while taking advantage of its benefits.

So, the picture painted in the Parable of the Mustard Seed by Jesus is of the humble beginnings of the church experiencing an explosive rate of growth. It grows large and becomes a source of food, rest, and shelter, for both believers and false professing individuals that seek to consume or take advantage of its benefits while residing or mixing among what was produced by the seed (1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:7; 2 Corinthians 11:13; Galatians 1:7). In other words, Jesus predicts that, while the church will grow extremely large from just a small start, it will not remain pure. The Parable of the Mustard Seed is both a prediction and a warning. May we listen to its message.

THE LEAVEN (YEAST) – PARABLE 15

7. What is leaven? And how does it work?

            

Leaven is a substance (such as yeast) that causes ferment or activity; yeast can cause dough to rise or expand.”

8. Can you summarize this parable in a simple way as to what it meant to his listeners then and what it means to us today? 

In the Parable of the Leaven, we can learn a couple of things about the working of the kingdom. Each of these lessons stems from the nature of yeast. First, the kingdom of God may have small beginnings, but it will increase. Just as yeast works until the dough has completely risen, the ultimate benefit of the kingdom of God will be worldwide (Psalm 72:19; Daniel 2:35). Second, although the kingdom of God works invisibly, its effect is evident to all. Yeast does its job slowly and silently, but no one can deny its effect on bread. The same is true of the work of grace in our hearts. The nature of yeast is to grow and to change whatever it contacts. When we accept the message of the gospel, His grace grows in our hearts and changes us from the inside out.

9. Jesus often spoke in parables. Are there examples, stories, or illustrations that you can use to help share your faith in Christ with your family or friends? 

PARABLES 16 - 19 - Four Kingdom of Heaven Parables

FOUR KINGDOM OF HEAVEN PARABLES 16 - 19

PARABLE 16 - HIDDEN TREASURE 

Matthew 13:44 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.

PARABLE 17 – FINE PEARL

Matthew 13:45 – 46 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

PARABLE 18 – THE FISHING NET

Matthew 13:47 – 50 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: 48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, 50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

PARABLE 19 – OWNER OF A HOUSE

Matthew 13:52 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.

  

Discussion Questions – Parables 16 – 19

KINGDOM OF HEAVEN PARABLES 16 – 19  

1. What could the topic of Parables 16 and 17 be entitled? 

A good title would be “The Incomparable Value of the Kingdom.” 

2. Was the man who found the treasure behaving unethically by doing what he did? Why or why not? 

People frequently buried their valuables in Jesus’ day. The man in this first parable was perhaps a laborer plowing a field when he discovered a buried treasure, say a bag of gold coins. The Jewish law said that “if a man finds scattered fruit, scattered money...these belong to the finder.” So the man was actually very ethical about his discovery. He could have simply taken the bag when he found it, but he didn’t. Instead, he went through all the trouble of buying the field. 

3. What is the main point of the Hidden Treasure parable (parable 16)? 

The point of the parable is this: a man found something so valuable that he sold everything he had in order to get it. He was so ecstatic about finding the treasure that he was willing to do whatever he needed to acquire it (honestly and legally). 

Is that the way you feel about the kingdom of heaven? 

4. Pearls are mentioned only five times in the Bible. What were they considered? (Matthew 7:6, 1 Timothy 2:9, Revelation 17:4, 18:12, 18:16, 21:21) 

Matthew 7:6 – “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast you your pearls before the swine, least they trample them under their feet, then turn again and attack you.” 

1 Timothy 2:9 – “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or god, or pearls, or costly array;”

Revelation 17:4 – “The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was decked with gold, precious stones and pearls…” (Rev 18:12, 18:16 similar) 

Revelation 21:21 – “The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.” 

So the Bible says three things about pearls: they are holy, valuable, and used in the building of heaven. 

5. In parables 16 and 17, we can learn six principles about the kingdom of heaven. 

a. What is its value? Priceless, incomparable value. Nothing comes close in value. Christ and His Kingdom are a treasure that is rich beyond comparison: it is incorruptible, undefiled, and eternal. 

b. Is it casually or easily seen? The treasure in Matthew 13:44 was hidden; it wasn’t lying on the surface of the ground. The merchant had to search for the pearl. In the same way, the value of salvation is not apparent to most people. The world looks at Christians and doesn't understand why they worship God and why they help others.

c. How is the kingdom seized and made your own? Each of the men in the two parables finds something that he personally finds a way to take what he found and makes his own. That shows us that you can be under the dominion of God (everyone is) but not be a member of His Kingdom. Before a person can personally get what he finds in the Kingdom, he must come to the point where he sees the value of the Kingdom. God has offered something of true value to men, yet it is incredible the extremes people go to acquire things that are worthless in the long run. 

d. How does the kingdom relate to joy? In verse 44, we find that the man’s response to finding the treasure was one of joy. People want to experience joy. You can find true joy by discovering the Kingdom of heaven and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

e. Does everyone enter the kingdom under the same circumstances? There is one big difference between parables 16 and 17: In the parable of the hidden treasure, the man made his find by accident. In the parable of the pearl, the man was searching for pearls when he found the one of great value. One was stumbling, one was seeking, but both found the kingdom. God provides a way for everyone. 

f. How is the kingdom made personal? (Luke 9:57-62, Matt 10:37-39, 16:24) The kingdom is made personal by a transition. There is a transaction made to acquire salvation, but it is not with money or good works. The transaction is this: You give up all you have for all He has. 

Matthew 10:37-39 – “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.“

6. Parable 18 speaks of a fishing net. What about when he spoke of “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:18-19)? 

The phrase “fishers of men” was spoken by Jesus when He was calling two of His disciples, Simon Peter and Andrew, to follow Him. 

The idea behind fishing is to know the fish you are looking for and attract it so you can make the catch. Just like good fishermen that offer bait to attract their fish, we as “fishers of men” must offer the only effective bait—the gospel of Jesus Christ. To those who are perishing, the message of the cross is foolishness, but to us, it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18). The gospel message has the power to change lives, shine light into darkness, and deliver evil men from hell. There is power in no other message and no other “bait” can catch the fish of God. This was Jesus’ message to Peter and Andrew—follow Me, learn of Me, know and understand My mission and My message. Only then will you be able to be fishers of men.

7. What did the fishermen do with all the fish (Matt 13:48)? How will this be like what the angels do at the end of the age? (Matthew, 13:49, 25:31-32, 34, 41) 

Jesus is simply saying, just as fishermen, sit down after a catch, and separate the fish, they keep the good ones, and throw away the bad, so will it be when the world comes to an end. The angels will come and separate the wicked from among the just. The just will be taken to heaven and the wicked cast into eternal damnation.

8. Jesus already told a similar parable about good and bad people coexisting (parable 12, wheat and tares, Matthew 13:24-30). What’s the difference in the message? 

You might wonder why Jesus taught the parable of the dragnet, which talks about the separation of good and evil, when He already talked about that separation in the parable of the wheat and the tares. One reason He taught it was because the parable of the wheat and the tares emphasizes the coexistence of good and evil, not the separation of good and evil. Another reason Jesus had for teaching the parable of the dragnet was because of His compassion for men. He wanted to warn them about hell. He said, “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.” (Matt 25:13). Jesus cautioned people not to take their sins lightly because inevitably they would be held accountable before God. (Hebrews 4:13) 

The Bible tells us time and chance happen to us all. We are to watch and keep ready, for we know not when our time will come. Ecclesiastes 9:12, “For man does not know his time. Just as the fish are taken in an evil net, and the birds are caught in a snare, so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly upon them.” 

9. How is the kingdom of heaven like the fishing net in parable 18? 

The Kingdom of heaven is like a net. That net moves through the world unseen. When the net touches the back of a fish, the creature simply swims a little further ahead of it, enjoying what appears to be permanent freedom. Men move about in this world imagining themselves to be free, fulfilling their own desires, with little knowledge that the net of judgment is coming closer and closer. Each time men are touched by the net, they move a little further along. Eventually they will find themselves hitting the part of the net in front of them. They will make a wild dash to escape, yet find themselves totally surrounded by the net. Finally, they will be dragged onto the shore, flailing as they enter death. 

Men may not see God moving in the world, but He is moving. When they are touched by the gospel of Jesus Christ, or become scared by the threat of judgment, they dart away into the freedom they think is ahead of them. But sooner or later, they will find they are still caught in the net that is moving them toward judgment. The Kingdom will ultimately engulf all men, and God will separate them with His angels. 

10. We don’t like to hear about hell. Many preachers these days don’t even mention it. Some Christian radio stations have banned messages about it. Cartoonists mock it. Which prophet or person in the Bible spoke more about hell than anyone else?

A goodly number of well-known pastors and Christians have said that Jesus spoke more about hell than about heaven. But on closer analysis by Dan Wilkinson, those statements are very questionable. Dan found that in the 1,944 verses in the four gospels that contain Jesus’ words, only about 60 of those verses—or about three percent of them—might be construed as either directly or indirectly referring to hell. On the other hand, there are more than three times as many verses in the gospels in which Jesus references heaven, eternal life, or his coming kingdom.

When we look at the Old Testament, we find many prophets speaking about horrible things to come to those who are disobedient. If we are generous and call them all hell, then Jeremiah plus his second book Lamentations would certainly be the winner in speaking of hell. I’m guessing that Isaiah might take second place, but Jesus would certainly be next in line.

11. How would you describe hell? 

Hell is a place of eternal separation from God. Hell was prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41); but it is also a place where the fearful, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, whoremongers, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars go; it is the second death (Revelation 21:8). It is a place where both body and soul is destroyed; only God is able to destroy both body and soul in hell (Matthew 10:28). Hell will be horrible for everyone there; Hell will be endless and everlasting. 

12. Jesus asked his disciples if they understood the eight kingdom of heaven parables. Do you? If you understand them, what did Jesus say you are to do? 

Jesus trained the disciples to be laborers in the harvest and warn men about the coming judgment. He says here that the disciples are now like the householder in Parable 19 who dispenses supplies from his storehouse to meet peoples’ needs. If someone needed clothing, food, or care, the householder gave it to him. 

The householder was also wise enough to dispense both old and new things, so that the old things didn’t ultimately become useless. He was a wise steward of everything he possessed. 

The disciples are now householders with a storehouse filled with both old and new things. In other words, they knew the Old Testament and knew about the mysteries of the Kingdom. They could not only teach about the Old Testament and Jewish tradition; they could dispense the new mysteries of the Kingdom. They now knew more than the Jewish scribes. All that the scribes knew was the Old Testament. But the disciples had knowledge of both old and new things in perfect balance. God had called and trained them, and now wanted them to spread their knowledge. Old experiences and new observations, all have their use. 

Today we are to also be a wise householder and proclaim the same message that the disciples were to proclaim: Jesus commanded his disciples to go forth proclaiming the Gospel throughout the whole world. We are to seek the kingdom of heaven and joyfully receive it because unfortunately if you don’t, you are destined to perish in the fires of hell. 

See on blog: Plan of Salvation

PARABLE 20 - The Lost Sheep

PARABLE 20 ~ MATTHEW 18:12-14 ~ LOST SHEEP 

12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

 “What do you think? If a man has one hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine, go to the mountains, and seek that which has gone astray?  And if he finds it, most certainly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” (Paraphrased by me)

Discussion Questions – Parable 20

PARABLE 20 ~ MATTHEW 18:12-14 ~ LOST SHEEP 

1. To what lengths would you go to recover a missing wallet? Your mother’s lost diamond ring? An important irreplaceable document? Your missing child? 

Jesus starts the story with, “What do you think?” in other words “What would you do?” The Lord was making a point. What would you do if you had a hundred sheep and one went astray? Would you not go to great lengths to find it? And when you did would you rejoice?

Picture a parent that had six children and one went missing. They would leave the other five and search frantically for the missing one. And when he was found there would be great rejoicing! Same as Jesus when he finds one of his flock who has went astray. How wonderful that we have a God who loves us that much!

2. Some think the flock represents Christian believers and the lost sheep refers to a weak believer who has slid backward and strayed from his belief in Jesus. What do you think? 

Through this story of compassion, Jesus revealed his rescue mission for sinners. The parable begins with a straying sheep. It is evident that in order for the sheep to have strayed he was a part of the flock to begin with. A sheep apart from its shepherd is defenseless and in grave danger. Jesus views any person apart from Him as lost. How is he lost? His sins alienate him from the holy God, leaving him groping aimlessly in darkness. The shepherd in this story, however, didn’t despise his straying sheep. With a heart of compassion, Jesus also values each of His sheep. 

“And this is the will of Him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that He has given me, but raise them up at the last day” (John 6:39). Jesus is intent upon rescuing the sinner not only because the Father gave them to Him but also because He loves them. His love led Him to sacrifice His life on the cross to take their punishment for sin. 

3. Does it change your image of God to see him as a caring shepherd searching frantically for one lost individual? How?

The parable of the lost sheep also illustrates Christ’s attitude toward the saved sinner. The parable gives no indication of the shepherd ever rebuking or chiding. Instead, he hoists the sheep upon his shoulders and takes it home. An adult sheep may weigh anywhere from 110 to 125 pounds; it would be no small effort to carry one over the shoulder. For joy over finding that which was lost, the shepherd bears the discomfort. Likewise, Jesus bore the weight of our sins upon the cross. As High Priest and Mediator, He continues to bear our cares and infirmities before the Father. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness. . . . For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2:24-25).

Finally, the parable of the lost sheep offers an extraordinary glimpse of heavenly emotions. The shepherd calls his friends and neighbors together, saying, “Rejoice with me.” The rescue of the lost sheep was a cause for a celebration. Similarly, Heaven rejoices when a sinner repents and is restored to fellowship with God. This is considered a great joy! Why? A sinner has come home! Such news delights the heart of heaven (Luke 15:7,10). 

In this parable Jesus paints with words a beautiful picture of God’s grace in His desire to see the lost return to Him. Men seek honor and avoid shame; God seeks to glorify Himself through us His sheep, His sons and daughters. Despite having ninety-nine other sheep, despite the sinful rebellion of His lost sheep, God joyfully receives it back, just as He does when we repent and return to Him.

PARABLE 21 - The Shepherd and His Flock

PARABLE 21 — JOHN 10:1-18 — SHEPHERD AND HIS FLOCK 

18 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. 6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

“Surely, I tell you, one who doesn’t enter by the door into the sheep fold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.  But one who enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.  The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out.  Whenever he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.  They will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him; for they don’t know the voice of strangers.”  Jesus spoke this parable to them, but they didn’t understand what he was telling them.

 Jesus therefore said to them again, “Most certainly, I tell you, I am the door to the sheep.  All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.  I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and go out, and find pasture.  The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I am come that they may have life, and may have it more abundantly.  

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.  But he who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn’t own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees. The wolf snatches the sheep, and scatters them.  The hired hand flees because he is a hired hand, and doesn’t care for the sheep.  I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and I’m known by my own; even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep.  I have other sheep, which are not of this fold.  I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. There shall be one fold, and one shepherd. 

Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. I received this commandment from my Father.” (paraphrased by me)

Discussion Questions – Parable 21

PARABLE 21 — JOHN 10:1-18 — SHEPHERD AND HIS FLOCK 

1. What kind of relationship do sheep have with their shepherd? (10:2-4) 

Have you ever seen a herd of sheep gathered together closely in the field? When the shepherd comes near them, they are happy. They stand around with him, and when he calls, they follow him closely. Sheep are very nervous. When a stranger comes near them, they start to move away as a whole group.

There is a very close relationship between the sheep and the shepherd. The shepherd knows his sheep and calls his own sheep by name. They follow at the sound of his voice. Sheep will not follow a stranger. 

Verses 1-5 reflect common practices and understanding of shepherding in Palestine at that time. When not out in the open the sheep were kept in an enclosure made of stone walls. The size varied considerably. But all had an entrance where the shepherd took the sheep in and out. Obviously anyone who entered the pen by climbing over the wall rather than by the entrance was up to no good. 

The sheep learned their shepherd’s voice. In the summer the sheep were taken into rural areas to graze far away from home. There several flocks would be bedded down at night in a large fold built with stone walls. In the morning each shepherd called for his sheep and the flocks separated from each other simply by recognition of and response to the voice of their own shepherd. Instead of driving them, he led them, and they followed him as one unit. The shepherd always went before them to guide them to the most beneficial pasture and to protect them from danger.

2. To whom did Jesus say the sheep would not listen? (10:5, 10:8) Who did Jesus say was the thief? (10:1) Who does the stranger or thief represent today? 

Verse 8 interprets Jesus as the gate by which the shepherd comes to the sheep. The thieves and robbers did not come through Jesus, the door, to get at the sheep. The fact that they used other means proves that they are imposters. If Jesus is the door by which the authentic shepherd comes to the sheep then Jesus is not the shepherd at this point, but God is. Verses 7-8 seem to be saying that Jesus is the door by which God comes to shepherd us. This view assumes the background of Ezekiel 34 where God is the shepherd of Israel. This is a beautiful picture of the Incarnation. It is God who comes to care for us through Jesus.

The door metaphor is then turned around in verses 9-10. Here Jesus is the door by which the sheep go out to find pasture, salvation, and life. There is no other way by which the sheep can find these benefits. If they do not come through Christ, they will not find life and salvation.

Who is the thief? The thief is Satan. The bible says, “our enemy, the devil, walks about, as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

Jesus is accusing those Jewish religious leaders of being false shepherds. They are the thieves and robbers mentioned in verse 1. He is the shepherd whose voice the sheep follow. They are the strangers—the rustlers who care nothing for the sheep but only for the profit they can make for themselves from the sheep. 

Why did they not understand it? Simply because of their own hard heartedness. They refuse to allow the parable to expose their own sinfulness and need of God. 

Who are the imposters today, who do not enter in at the True Gate? False prophets.  These are people (whether pastors, prophets, or members who want others to follow them instead of following Christ). The wage may not be money, it may be personal prestige, or power.

Matt. 7:15 – “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” 

Acts 20:29-30 – “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.”

“Many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.”  Matthew 24:11

How can you know who is a false prophet or teacher? See on blog - False Teachers

3. In this parable, Jesus describes himself as both the gate (10:7) and the shepherd (10:11, 10:14).  How is that? 

Jesus is proclaiming that not only is he "the door" to the sheep (the way for them to go from Earth to Heaven), but that he is also the Good Shepherd (the one who leads them through). 

Here Jesus is the door by which the sheep go out to find pasture, salvation, and life. There is no other way by which the sheep can find these benefits. If they do not come through Christ, they will not find life and salvation. If they follow the thief they will find death and destruction. This is another beautiful picture of Jesus. It clearly teaches that he is the only way for salvation. Verse 10 concludes this section with a statement of Jesus’ purpose. I came in order that they might have life and that they might have it in abundance. 

In the book of John, John has already described Jesus as the source of living water (John 4:10, 11; 7:38) and as the bread of life (John 6:33, 35, 48, 51). Now, within the metaphor of sheep, Jesus provides the pasture of life. And that pasture is abundant; it provides all that is needed and fully satisfies. Jesus is the only way by which salvation and life can be obtained. The life that he provides is totally sufficient and satisfying. 

4. What does a hired hand do for the sheep? (10:12) What was Jesus willing to do for his sheep? (10:11, 10:15, 10:17) 

The contrast between the genuine shepherd and the imposter appears in terms of response to impending danger. The imposter flees before the wolf; the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 

The imposter in verses 12-13 is the hireling as opposed to the thief of the preceding verses. The hireling is not attempting to harm or steal the sheep. In fact, the hireling's motive is good. He is a protector, one who cares for the sheep. However, the point of mentioning the hireling is to show the contrasting levels of commitment. When push comes to shove, the hireling is more interested in protecting himself than the sheep. In contrast, the good shepherd, Jesus, has no concern above caring for and protecting the sheep. 

When Jesus says he will give his life for the sheep, he is talking about paying for their sins with his death, so that they can receive Salvation.

5. How are we like sheep? What tempts people to follow a stranger (or thief)? Why?

Ezekiel 34:21, “And you my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord God.”

Acts 20:28-29, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with His own blood.”

1 Peter 5:2-3, “Feed the flock of God which is among you… being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory that will not fade away.”

Luke 12:32, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Sheep are not created to act separately from others, or of their own will. They cannot survive running their own lives by themselves. Most people like sheep need someone to lead them. Neither can the church nor individual believers. Genuine faith or trust in Christ only exists as we are confident that the Shepherd is more concerned for us than for his own welfare. Verses 9-10 suggest that his care includes salvation, nurture, and abundant life. These benefits are not just one-time, past benefits of the death of Christ, but the ongoing, present blessings and concern of the risen Lord. Verses 11-13 speak both of Jesus' character as the Good Shepherd and of the care that the church receives as His flock.

One reason people are led astray by a stranger, or thief, the devil, is because they do not know God. They do not know His voice. You can identify false teachers and false prophets by their teachings. If there is an uneasy feeling that it doesn’t square up with Scripture, then study the Word to see if it either lines up with biblical doctrine or if it doesn’t (2 Timothy 2:15-16).  The best way to keep from being deceived by false teachers and prophets is to be a good Bible student yourself.  If you know the Scriptures well enough, you will be prepared to know what is error and what is not.  Reading the Bible daily is clearly one of the best methods for keeping one’s self from believing false teachings or a false gospel…which is not really another gospel but is a gospel from the Devil.  And we are warned to not even entertain them in our house or in our minds.

If anyone teaches anything other than the Word of God, it is false teaching. Those who have the Holy Spirit in them will hear God's Words (John 8:47). They will consent to wholesome words. Those who do not know God, will not consent (John 8:47).

6. In what ways has Jesus been your shepherd? How can we better hear his voice?

My own personal experience: I went astray, and when I tried to come back home, I could not find my way. Jesus clearly came and found me! How merciful he was to me! The next two sermons I heard (from two different churches) were about Jesus leaving the ninety-nine to find the one. God was confirming that he came looking for me!

We can better hear His voice by communion with Him through prayer, and through the studying of his Word. Prayer is how we talk to God; His Word is how He talks to us.

The flock of Christ

·       Redeemed

·       Restored

·       United

·       Recognized by Christ

·       Knowing Christ

·       Recognize the voice of Christ

·       Obey the commands of Christ

·       Imitate the example of Christ

Application of the parable

·       How interesting and delightful the character of Christ as a shepherd

·       How lovely and beautiful the character of his flock

o   Called

o   Justified

o   Sanctified

·       Are you his sheep?