Jesus' turn from Israel? : the parable discourse in Matthew's narrative

Abstract

In this study we have sought to determine how the parable discourse is related to the Matthean narrative. We have seen that this text recounts how Jesus turns to parabolic speech when speaking mysteries of the kingdom, thereby hindering the crowds from understanding them, while allowing his disciples to understand. The reason for this action is that the crowds have failed to choose a path of understanding, and hence have not responded to Jesus’ call to repentance. The disciples, on the other hand, have understood what they have seen and heard in Jesus and committed themselves to his cause. Therefore they have been given to know these mysteries, which will lead to fruit for the kingdom.