Would You “Hear” The Message Of The Lord Jesus And The Private Disciple Interpretations Below?
(Excuse the lack of credit for the image, since forgotten, acquired long ago.)
Concise Version
(the full version link is far below)
* Full support for everything stated in this version is in the full version. All essential matters are not considered or fully addressed but are in the full version.
Sacred Scripture links (or any related notes) are to the New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE), United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) unless noted otherwise.
Introduction
After providing the Parable of the Sower, the Lord Jesus “called out” Clearly (yes, cried out!) to the utterly baffled crowd for something to hear, “ ‘Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear,’ ” Luke 8:8, in part (see also “cried” or “cried out” in “Luke 8:8 in all English translations”, Bible Gateway), the only message understood after a parable beyond comprehension. Using the quoted New American Bible Revised Edition wording, the logical thought in the crowd could be, “He did not call out to reflect on what was already said, but to hear something else with our ears.” Stated immediately after hearing a parable that no one understood ᶠⁿ¹ more than begs the question, it begs the answer and provokes it, perhaps with the Lord’s private disciple interpretations mentioned in the crowd, considering as discussed, discussions about the Lord were circulating exceptionally well at the time. For a few, it began to form a genuine interest, heard within the heart of its own accord, then the private disciple interpretations. I have a note for writers at ᶠⁿ².
ᶠⁿ¹ As discussed in the full article, no one could understand the parable without an interpretation. Clear though indirect, the Lord Jesus acknowledged the need for an explanation to understand after providing it when addressing the disciples privately. Mark 4:13.
ᶠⁿ² Ironically, I have not found any articles on this topic. Hopefully, writers will no longer overlook or forget the unspoken dear efforts of the Lord Jesus when writing about public parables. At least a brief mention is appreciated.
A few points are: Crucially, it is stated separately from the parable in two of the three Gospels with the Parable of the Sower, but logically considered in implicit accord with the third, Matthew. See Mark 4:9; Luke 8:8; Matthew 13:9. Again, in Luke 8:8, Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear was called out. Let us not forget, similar to the Parable of the Sower, Mark 4:33, in part (see also, 4:34), States That There Were Many Of These Parables.
There is more than bewilderment and discipline in public parables, saving souls, extracting them as disciples simultaneously with their incomprehensibility requirement of prophecy. Isaiah 6:9-10; Matthew 13:13-15, 35; Mark 4:11-12; Luke 8:10; With Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Matthew 13:35 also specifies parables as the vehicle of incomprehensibility, and as to the prophet, it is quoting Psalm 78:2, seen at Matthew, note 13:35, NABRE. Consider my somewhat related topic on John 12:38-40 entitled John 12:37-43: Everyone Should Understand Before Commenting Or Cast Aspersion Upon God And Damage Others.
This bold confidence in disciple formation, evidence of the compassion of the Lord Jesus, was unspoken by Him, made fruitful under the circumstances of two constraints, restrictive prophecy, the result of public immorality, consistent with His nondisciplinary purpose, including His personality given to us to know and love. Yes, the Lord Jesus saved souls!
Disciple formation was not mentioned to the disciples of the Lord Jesus using parables with the public, to some extent even suggesting the contrary when referring to prophecy and the public’s gross hearts. However, it can be seen with the Lord even calling out a heartfelt invitation for everyone to join His disciple group to hear the private interpretations. He gathered disciples with this substantially heartfelt silent message to the corrupt crowds.
The authors do not address this disciple formation, making the topic unusually problematic. Importantly for readers, the public’s need for an understanding may invite concern. It is only logical. However, assuring sincere enthusiasm and an environmental change was necessary, and better not to announce it. Other valid purposes for public parables do support a sense of discipline. However, this part of an unknown additional contribution to Christianity’s growth, but even more so, extracting worthy souls from the corrupt crowds, Saving Lost Souls, Must Become Known!
There were “many” of these parables. Transparency has reasonable limits through the Lord’s wisdom in not informing anyone about it, not even His disciples, for free will to work best within the hearts and souls of the crowds, only drawing forth those genuinely interested in Him. Rule out the Lord providing uninterpreted parables solely because of their gross hearts. All of His time and effort had a fruitful underlying purpose (no celebrity campaigns!).
Public parables should remind everyone of God’s compassionate salvation in all His precious time. Remember them for the heartfelt prudence, a bridge spanning from a public group to a private group of disciples, to Heaven, the precious few with heart-spoken devotion acting upon the invitation of the Lord Jesus.
Without exception, every scribe or lawyer knows an understanding requires acceptance of the offer!
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Summary
Importantly, please note that by necessity, this fruit of the Lord Jesus requires help in disclosure, in fairness to Him, because to my knowledge, there are no writings on it. Please see far below at the end, “ Endnote 1, Please Help. ”
The Parable of the Sower establishes the disciple formation of the Lord Jesus as one of the purposes for uninterpreted parables. However, virtually all writers overlook it. He Called Out a clear final message to the crowd of something to hear, “ ‘... Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear,’ ” Luke 8:8, in part. Again, it was the only message from the parable in its entirety understood by the entire crowd and called out. Yes, He cried out! See “Luke 8:8 in all English translations”, Bible Gateway. For a few, it began forming a genuine interest heard within the heart of its own accord, hearing the private disciple group interpretations. Consider a likely thought stated in the crowd, even perhaps with the explanations privately with disciples of the Lord Jesus also mentioned, “Well, we already heard the parable, so it may mean something else” (you think!). Many of these parables were incapable of understanding. There is a sense of harshness without an awareness of this good-faith purpose, and it counters other valid purposes supporting a sense of discipline or retribution. We should cherish these parables, God’s search for even One lost sheep, seeing His saving nature in action, merely One new disciple providing prospective multiple-effects for all future generations, of massive Eternal rewards.
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General (Concise Version)
The uninterpreted Parable of the Sower alone provides an adequate factual basis for establishing disciple formation, Matthew 13:1-9; Mark 4:1-9; Luke 8:4-8. The Lord literally “... called out...” clear to hear His bottom line final message, “ ‘Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.’ ”, Luke 8:8 (both quotes, in part), the only statement conveying a message of complete crowd understanding: something to hear. A communication of anything else understandable to Any person from the Entire parable is Near-Impossible. The Lord Himself acknowledged the need for an explanation for an understanding, Mark 4:13. His final statement is not part of a parable to have some lacking of comprehension. It is not a mere cliché either, and both are supported. Though vague, it meant and eventually resulted in at least some genuine hearts hearing the private disciple group interpretations. Consider a likely thought stated in the crowd, even perhaps with the explanations privately with disciples of the Lord Jesus also mentioned, “Well, we already heard the parable, so it may mean something else” (you think!). Also, consider the circumstances with the general mindset: The parable is from One known to have performed acts of God, miracles, the first, A Perfect Announcement, an exorcism in a synagogue with a reasonable possibility of notice to many, including the Universe, Yes, And Beyond, Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:31-37, 41; Regarding And Beyond, an interesting example, of many, is Acts 19:13-17.
A few points deserve a brief mention. Rather than unknown parable meanings, their primary interest was in the Lord Himself from beginning to end. He extracted genuine interest from public crowds that even prophecy referred to as having gross hearts, Matthew 13:15. Also, disciple formation is not explicit in Sacred Scripture but with rationale, discussed in the full version (for the Lord to share His desire in any way, any aspect of it And Whatsoever, would have been imprudent).
Disciple formation is one of the reasons for uninterpreted parables. However, it has not been mentioned anywhere in my experience, for whatever reasons and whether knowingly. Once seen in the Parable of the Sower, it is convincing. Furthermore, there were “... many ...” of these parables, Mark 4:33, in part. I realize it is probable that at least some writers avoid disciple formation through an incorrect inference they may perceive in prophecy restated. Addressing the dire moral state of the Jewish population, it describes them generally, not specifically to include any (or all), Matthew 13:13-15, 35; Mark 4:11-12; Luke 8:10. See also John 12:38-40. It is unreasonable for anyone to rely on it to rule out any worthy within their public gatherings, the public crowds, or an intention of drawing disciples from them.
Again, there were many of these parables. Of all these crowds, at least some had to be worthy. It is unfair to assume otherwise. With no Biblical or other historical source ruling out at least some that were worthy, or an intention of disciple formation, to deny either is an unjust application of reason.
Genuine interest capable of disciple devotion required reaching deeply into the heart and soul by the Lord’s somewhat silent, prudent use of free will, bringing forth the good from the bad from the gross hearts of the crowds. Cf., Matthew 13:15. There is a higher assurance of a genuine interest in this somewhat silent parable attraction because it is substantially heard and formed within the heart of its own accord. Importantly, it also provides higher assurance of a desire of the Lord Jesus to bear fruit through perseverance, Luke 8:15, in part.
Disciple formation is consistent with the Lord’s loving, productive character given us to know and love. There is a disciplinary sense without considering what is probable and in accord with the Lord Jesus’ personality. The disciplinary sense cast is also contrary to the purpose of the Lord’s presence, not as in the final judgment to come. Disciple formation was of uttermost importance, with every opportunity seized. It is seen accordingly by the action the Lord “... called out...” for in the Parable of the Sower, and naturally, some hearts pondered the only known message of something to hear.
Disciple formation was crucial to the Lord. Far beyond heartfelt free will that I see in use, the Lord brought forth all wisdom of Heaven above, beyond human sight or description. It is more than reasonable to believe that the Lord Jesus seized every pathway of opportunity for disciple formation, so crucial, whether capable of mortal observation, but mindful free will was always open to all. The question is, with free will always respected, what can’t we see?
As stated, there were many of these uninterpreted parables, the Parable of the Sower representing the divide at the time, the bridge between public groups and a group of disciples, great turmoil and pain defying family and friends but by proper devotion, disciples, worthy souls that were drawn out from public crowds for salvation, despite no interpretations, the Lord Jesus’ saving nature, in action. Remember them as God’s search for one lost sheep.
Uninterpreted parables with the public had both the intention of disciple formation and no less than some occurred. Adequately supported, it is devoid of any reasonable basis to the contrary. It should be an accepted reality, unfair otherwise. We should cherish them, seeing the Lord’s saving nature in action, Even Merely One New Disciple providing prospective multiple-effects for all future generations, of massive Eternal rewards.
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Conclusion
Although there were some additional disciples, and considering their later conversion through other disciples, in fairness, there may have been only a very precious few, perhaps not many. However, notably, I am unsure, having no way to know.
The very precious few, whatever their number may be, contributed to more conversions of others at the time, their bashful families still behind! Beyond and prospectively, their fruit, the massive born-baptized, historical conversions, into and for eternity, each individually was, is, and will be. It is disciple devotion, heart spoken, their names chosen, gems in His † eyes, unseen pearls in parables otherwise, now His † treasure in Paradise †.
“God is love,” 1 John 4:8, 16.
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