Big Idea: Though the kingdom and people’s responses to it have a hidden quality in the present time, everything will be made clear in the end—both people’s responses and the great value of the kingdom.

Understanding the Text

The parables in this section of the Parables Discourse build upon the varied responses to the kingdom introduced in 13:1–23 by indicating the hidden nature of the kingdom in the present. What will be clear in the end is partially hidden in the present, so that it takes eyes of faith to see it. Thus, the kingdom is like weeds and wheat growing together in a field, a mustard seed, and yeast hidden in a lump of dough. Its impact and its true followers will be clear only at the final judgment. Yet the kingdom is also of far greater worth than a great treasure or an exqui…