Parable of the Scribe

A look at Jesus parable of the scribe (or parable of the household head) from Matthew 13:51-52.  What does it mean to make disciples?

[Watch the Video]

Scriptures:

• Matthew 13:35
• Matthew 13:51-52
• Matthew 13:19
• Ezra 7:6
• Nehemiah 8:1-3
• Matthew 13:52
• Matthew 5:1-3
• Matthew 28:19-20
• Genesis 39:1-6
• Matthew 5:17-18
• Matthew 24:45-51
• Matthew 24:14

Outline:

• Review
• Parables of Matthew 13
• Parable of the Scribe
• Scribes
• Discipleship
• Household Head
• Treasures Old and New

Review

Kingdom of God

This is our 13th lesson on the Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of God means the reign of God

It’s a spiritual state of God ruling over the hearts and minds of his followers

It is partially here, but not yet fully realized

We Don’t Build the Kingdom

Jesus and the apostles never talked about:

• Building the kingdom
• Advancing God’s kingdom
• Spreading God's kingdom

They talked about:

• Entering the kingdom
• Experiencing the kingdom
• Seeking the kingdom
• Participating in the kingdom

It is God‘s kingdom and He built it

The kingdom advances by forming a people who submit to the king

We build organizations we build buildings we build groups we build ministries

• There is a danger in thinking that what we built is the kingdom
• It’s dangerous to identify any group of people or organization as the kingdom

Parables

A surface story that helps convey a deeper (often Spiritual) meaning

Good Way to Remember

• No internet, CDs, or books

Jesus spoke in parables to:

• Reveals truths never before known
• Conceal the secrets of the Kimgdom from the masses

Parables of Matthew 13

We have looked at 7 of the 8 parables about the Kingdom of God in Matthew 13

1. Sower/Soils
2. Wheat and Weeds
3. Leaven
4. Mustard Seed
5. Hidden Treasure
6. Pearl
7. Parable of the Dragnet
8. Parable of the Householder (today)

These eight parables can be divided into sections.

1. The first consists of the first four parables: the Parable of the Sower, the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares, the Parable of the Mustard Seed, and the Parable of the Leaven.
2. The next two parables are similar: the Parable of the Hidden Treasure, the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price,
3. The Parable of the Dragnet reiterates a point made in the Parable of the Wheat and Tares.
4. The last parable, the Parable of the Householder summarizes the parables.

We discovered that the first four parables of Matthew 13 are warning us of opposition that will come against the Kingdom.  

Parable of the Sower/Soils

In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus tells us about Seed that fell on 4 types of soil:

1. The Road
2. Rocky Soil
3. The Thorns
4. Good Soil

Main Points:

• Whether or not someone accepts the message of the Kingdom is determined by the condition of their heart
• The Kingdom can be obtained and then lost
• Things that impact whether someone enters the Kingdom include:

1. The enemy
2. Chasing worldly success
3. Cares of the world
4. Hearing about but not Understanding the Kingdom

Jesus said that this parable is the key to understanding all of the parables.

Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds

• Some people will appear to be children of God but they are not
• These people are actually supporting the enemy
• They will be removed at the end of the age

Parable of the Leaven

• There will be opposition from within the Kingdom
• Wrong teaching, and false doctrine will get mixed throughout the Kingdom

Parable of the Mustard Seed

• The Kingdom will start small
• everyone won’t accept it when it is introduced
• Acceptance of the Kingdom will grow large and rapidly
• There will be external opposition to the Kingdom

Matthew 13:35 Jesus says:

35 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
"I WILL OPEN MY MOUTH IN PARABLES;
I WILL UTTER THINGS HIDDEN SINCE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD."

• This means that Satan’s opposition to the Kingdom wasn’t fully understood before Jesus revealed it

The next two parables focus on "Our Response the Kingdom,"

Parable of the Hidden Treasure

• Some will find the Kingdom unexpectedly
• They will discover that the Kingdom Is more valuable than their worldly possessions
• They will give up their possessions for the Kingdom

Parable of the Pearl

• Some have been searching for the Kingdom
• When they find it they will joyfully give up all of their worldly possessions and goals to enter the Kingdom

The parable of the Dragnet reemphasizes a previous point.

Parable of the Dragnet

• The message of the Kingdom will capture many people
• In the end time, Jesus will separate out those who appear to be in the Kingdom, but are not

Parable of the Householder

Matthew 13:51-52 (NASB)

51 "Have you understood all these things?" They said to Him, "Yes."
52 And Jesus said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old."

• It’s implied that this is something you’d want to be
• Here he gives the interpretation first then the parable.

Have You Understood?

Before telling the parable Jesus asked if the Disciples understood the previous parables

What would happen if they didn’t understand?

Matthew 13:19

19“When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.

The enemy can take the kingdom from you if you don’t have a good understanding

How to misunderstand

• Too complicated
• Bad doctrine  (wrong teaching)

You don’t really know what you’re faith is based on if you don’t understand

Example: don’t know why you’re saved

• Parable of the soil tells us it’s the condition of your heart not your actions

Scribes

Didn’t Jesus dislike scribes?

He is talking about the duties of the office

Scribes Aren’t Just Note Takers

The word "scribe" may cause us a problem at first, because we normally think of a scribe as someone who writes something down for another person. For instance, a king would have an official court scribe. All that took place in his throne room would be written down by the scribe as the official record of the kingdom.

That is not what is meant here. Among the Jews in the first century, the scribe had an important position in the community.

Who Were the Scribes?

A scribe was a "Person  trained in writing skills and used to record events and   decisions (Jer. 36:26; 1 Chron. 24:6; Esth. 3:12). During the  Exile in Babylon educated scribes apparently became the experts in God's written word, copying, preserving, and teaching it.

  --Holman Bible Dictionary

Role of Scribes

• They could read and write
• Were experts in interpreting Jewish laws
• Were experts in cases where people were accused of  breaking the law of Moses
• Teachers of the law
• Came to be known as smart and knowledgeable in the law
• Bible scholars, lawyers, judges
• Most were Pharisees

Pharisees 

The Pharisees held to a belief that in addition to the written Laws of Moses there was an Oral Law

• Moses received the written and oral law from God
• There were laws, statutes, and legal interpretations given to Moses that were not recorded in the Five Books of Moses

A scribe knows the Bible and teaches it

Scribes Were Experts in the Law of Moses

Ezra was the proto-typical scribe 450 years before Jesus spoke this parable.

Ezra Taught the Law

Ezra 7:6

This Ezra went up from Babylon, and he was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given; and the king granted him all the requested because the hand of the LORD his God was upon him.

• There was no temple in Babylon

Nehemiah 8:1-3

1And all the people gathered as one man at the square which was in front of the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the LORD had given to Israel. 2Then Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women and all who could listen with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month. 3He read from it before the square which was in front of the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of men and women, those who could understand; and all the people were attentive to the book of the law.

• Ezra taught the law

Scribes:

• Were learned and well equipped
• Interpreters of the law
• Teachers of the law/bible
• Students of the law

A scribe spent his life studying the Bible

Not Just Ministers and Pastors

Some teach that Jesus is referring to ministers or pastors.  

• I do not believe that Jesus is referring to pastors and ministers or people with the titles that we give them now.
• Jesus was explicitly speaking to the Disciples saying that they had this role.
• Nowhere does it show them ever being pastors are ministers of churches.

I interpret this to mean anyone who studies and understands the Old Testament is a scribe

Discipleship

Matthew 13:52 says every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom

Not Every Scribe

A Scribe understands the Old Testament.

• This scribe is also seeking to understand the gospel of the Kingdom of God

Jesus is not talking about every person who studies the kingdom of heaven.

• He’s not saying every scribe
• He’s not saying every Christian
• He’s not saying every Christian who studies the kingdom of heaven

He’s not talking about Jews who don’t accept the New Testament

This does not pertain to you if you are studying the word but you don’t understand the seven parables of the kingdom of God.

•  Because the parable was told in response to a question asked of His disciples

Jesus is speaking to: Every person who studies the Old Testament, has become a student of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, and understands them both  

Who Is He Speaking To?

Jesus is talking about those who have studied the Old Testament and are studying the Kingdom of God...you

Make Disciples of All Nations

Matthew 28:19-20

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

• A disciple is a student
• We were called to make students

A Disciple is a Student

The word “disciple” literally means a learner

Creating a disciple is not a single event.

• Being a disciple is not the same as being a convert.

Leading someone to Christ is not discipling them

• That’s being an evangelist
• Discipling is an active ongoing process
• It’s not getting someone to recite a prayer
• It’s teaching them about the faith once they believe
• It’s walking with them

When Jesus sent them to make disciples the assumption was that they would be the ones discipling them.

• You cannot effectively disciple dozens of people at once

Who are you discipling now?

• A husband has called to disciple his wife.
• A mother and father are called to disciple their children.

Household Head

What does it mean to be the head of the household?

Genesis 39:1-3

1Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the bodyguard, bought him from the Ishmaelites, who had taken him down there. 2The LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. 3Now his master saw that the LORD was with him and how the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand. 4So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge. 5It came about that from the time he made him overseer in his house and over all that he owned, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house on account of Joseph; thus the LORD’S blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field. 6So he left everything he owned in Joseph’s charge; and with him there he did not concern himself with anything except the food which he ate.

• Joseph was put in charge of all of the affairs of the house
• We have been given authority over the master’s household

But what is this household?

The household is:

• The field of the parable of the wheat and tares
• The sea of the parable of the dragnet

It is the earth

It’s the same household that Adam was given dominion over

We have been given great authority upon the earth.

We are supposed to be managing the affairs of the house until Jesus returns.

What are we supposed to be doing?

Bringing Out Treasures New and Old

Not Old and New Treasures

Matthew 13:52 says: “who brings out of his treasure things new and old."

• It does not read that the owner of the house brings out old treasures and new treasures.
• He brings out old things and new things from his treasury.
• So the treasure is not changed it is just describing what the scribe pulls out of his treasure.  

Treasure is Like a Storeroom

• This means "treasury," "storehouse," or "storeroom”
• The treasure hold all of the provisions for the house
• Things put away for safekeeping

His responsibility: "This householder," Christ says, "brings out of his treasure things new and old." "Treasure" may remind one of the same word in verse 44, but it is only the same English word. The word in verse 52 does not mean "treasure"—as in precious metals, jewels, and gems—but "treasure house," "treasury," "storehouse," or "storeroom," where one would store valuables. It is clear in the Greek that it means "a place" and not the actual treasure itself.

In this place one would store what is necessary, like food or clothing, for the house's provision. One would have a certain storeroom for grain, fruits, vegetables, and meal. One may have another room or closet to store valuables—the family papers, jewels, silver, or art. All the good things that a person would want to put away for safekeeping would be put into the treasury, storeroom, or storehouse.

Old and New

• Old Truths are the law and the prophets
• The new truths are about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God
• The old truths point to the new truths

This is saying that the scribe can pull out traditionally known wisdom from the Old Testament but that he can also see the mysteries that were revealed in the New Testament. For example he is now able to see that Jesus is the Messiah. Others would not be able to understand this is from the Old Testament.

They should teach from the law and the old testament as well as teaching the newly revealed secrets about the kingdom that Jesus revealed.

• There was no New Testament at this time

The Old represents the Old Testament the new represents the teachings of the Kingdom of God.  

• The new also represents further revelations such as the mysteries revealed to Paul.  
• But the new revelations need to be based on an understanding of what the scriptures say.  

Mysteries revealed by Jesus:

• The kingdom is not coming fully right now
• Jesus is the Messiah
• The kingdom is spiritual
• Satan has been opposing the Kingdom of God
• Jesus has taken dominion over the kingdom of Satan
• Jesus gave his disciples dominion over the kingdom of Satan

New Truths Need to be Based in the Bible

We can’t just come up new truths that aren’t biblically based:

• Example: 7 Mountain Mandate not biblical

Fulfilling the Law and the Prophets

Jesus did not abolish the old testament

Matthew 5:17-18

 17“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18“For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

Jesus said He didn’t come to replace the law but to fulfill it.   That is why Matthew makes a point to always specify “as was foretold by the prophets”.  Jesus and the Apostles made it a point to show how the Old Testament foretold of the things that were happening or of the things they were claiming.

Example of Fulfilling the law:

• The law required blood sacrifice for sin
• Jesus became our blood sacrifice
• The laws still exists, but Jesus fulfilled it on our behalf

What Is Our Responsibility?

Matthew 24:45-51

45“Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46“Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. 47“Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48“But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’ 49and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards; 50the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, 51and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

We are supposed to be bringing out food for others at it’s proper time

• Are you eating and drinking with the drunkards?
• We should be feeding His sheep

Do you love Jesus?

• Jesus said “if you love me feed my sheep”

We are all called to be:

• Students
• Teachers
• Leaders

We need to be giving His sheep food at proper time

• We need to be helping in making disciples
• Sharing our testimonies
• Having answers to questions
• Studying the word to understand the Old and the New and how they relate

Matthew 24:14

14“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

The world cannot come to an end until Jesus’ gospel of the Kingdom is taught

Who’s going to teach it?

Instructor: Michael Leadon

Conclusion

Jesus emphasizes how critical our understanding of the Kingdom of God is

• Satan will take the word from your heart if you don’t understand
• The scribe who understands the Kingdom is given much authority

Jesus is saying that everyone who is a student of the Old Testament and also understands His teachings on the Kingdom of God is like the head of a household who brings out Old and New Treasures.

We are to be students of the Old Testament and disciples of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.

By studying the Old Testament we learn that Adam and Eve were created to implement the will of God on earth.  They were supposed to accomplish this through the dominion that God gave them.  

The Old Testament teaches us that Israel was supposed to be implement the will of God on earth, and therefore He called them his son.  

The New Testament tells us that God then sent His son Jesus to implement His will on earth.   Through His sacrifice, Jesus laid the foundation by which we will eventually rule the earth with Jesus for eternity.

Jesus tells us that we are to be like scribes.  Not in the sense that we transcribe the word of God, but in that we prescribe to a lifestyle of learning the truths of the Kingdom.  And we should subscribe to the practice of describing the Kingdom of God to all who have an ear.  In hopes that many names in the book of life will be ascribed to our works.  

Less walk in the ways of Jesus let’s seek the truth of the kingdom and live the life eternal

References

"THE PARABLES OF JESUS" -   The Householder

http://executableoutlines.com/pa/pa_10.htm

Forerunner Commentary - bibletools.org

https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Topical.show/RTD/cgg/ID/3611/Parable-of-Householder-.htm

Extra

What Are Scribes?

2 Samuel 8:16-17

16 Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder.
17 Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, and Seraiah was secretary.

• First mention of a scribe

Jeremiah 36

1 In the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
2 "Take a scroll and write on it all the words which I have spoken to you concerning Israel and concerning Judah, and concerning all the nations, from the day I first spoke to you, from the days of Josiah, even to this day.
3 "Perhaps the house of Judah will hear all the calamity which I plan to bring on them, in order that every man will turn from his evil way; then I will forgive their iniquity and their sin."
4 ¶ Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah, and Baruch wrote on a scroll at the dictation of Jeremiah all the words of the LORD which He had spoken to him.
5 Jeremiah commanded Baruch, saying, "I am restricted; I cannot go into the house of the LORD.
6 "So you go and read from the scroll which you have written at my dictation the words of the LORD fnto the people in the LORD'S house on a fast day. And also you shall read them fnto all the people of Judah who come from their cities.

7 "Perhaps their supplication will come before the LORD, and everyone will turn from his evil way, for great is the anger and the wrath that the LORD has pronounced against this people."
8 Baruch the son of Neriah did according to all that Jeremiah the prophet commanded him, reading from the book the words of the LORD in the LORD'S house.

…

26 And the king commanded Jerahmeel the king's son, Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel to seize Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet, but the LORD hid them.

Ezra 7:6;11

This Ezra went up from Babylon, and he was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given; and the king granted him all the requested because the hand of the LORD his God was upon him.

...

Ezra 7:11

 11Now this is the copy of the decree which King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, learned in the words of the commandments of the LORD and His statutes to Israel:

• To Jerusalem from Babylon
• There was no temple in Babylon
• He was a priest and a scribe
• Two different roles
• He was the “learned in the words of the commandment of the Lord and His statutes to Israel”

Disciple

The Disciples Became Apostles

• Apostles make disciples

Example: Romans sent Generals as apostles

Romans conquering and sending generals as apostles to implement their culture in the foreign territory. When they returned the people were back to their old ways. The goal is that the place you were sent to will resemble the place where you were sent from. A parcel means to be sent.

You have to first become a disciple before you can become an apostle.

• You need to first learn the culture of the territory you represent before you can teach it to others.  

We’re Not Called to ...

• He commanded them to make disciples of all nations.
• We were called to win souls
• We were not called to win arguments
• We’re not called to Bring Heaven to Earth
• Jesus commanded that they pray that God would make earth as it is in heaven
• We were commanded to pray to God

Jesus Was Speaking to His Disciples

Matthew 5:1-3

       
1 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.
2 He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,
3 " Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

...

• Jesus was teachings His disciples not the masses

Jesus was comfortable with the fact that not everyone who heard His messages would understand them.

• He intentionally taught in parables to hide the truth from some

Old and New Treasures

Matthew 19:21

21Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

Complete / perfect

5046 téleios (an adjective, derived from 5056 /télos, "consummated goal") – mature (consummated) from going through the necessary stages to reach the end-goal, i.e. developed into a consummating completion by fulfilling the necessary process (spiritual journey).

to have treasure laid up for themselves in heaven, is used of those to whom God has appointed eternal salvation

Matthew 6:19-21

19“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Our Responsibility

How will they hear and less there is a preacher how will someone preach unless he has been sent

Romans 10:14-17

   14How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!”

      16However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?”17So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

This passage is not about reading the bible

• The bible is the “Word of God”
• But this verse is about “the word about/concerning Christ”