Parables can be found throughout the bible. The parables that many are familiar with show up in the gospel of Matthew. Jesus uses these parables to tell an earthly story in order to illustrate a spiritual truth which was a mystery to most people. When I looked up the word mystery in the dictionary the first definition read like this: a religious truth known by revelation alone. According to Ron Cody, "A parable is used in order to know the mysteries."

In Matthew 13, Jesus illustrates parables which have been referred to as the parables of the Kingdom. In the first parable, the parable of the sower, a farmer goes out to sow seed. The seed is actually the Word of God. This story illustrates what happens to the Word of God when it is sown. For example, Matthew 13: 4 says: As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. The birds represent satan, who comes to devour and destroy.

The parable of the weeds (parable number two), refers to believers and unbelievers living side by side. Matthew 13: 24 & 25: Jesus told them another parable: The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds along with the wheat, and went away. Here again, the enemy is satan. In this parable the man's servants ask if they should pull up the weeds and his reply is "no"...... Verse 30: Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn. This clearly illustrates that at the end of the age the wicked ones will go first, to be burned in hell. Then we, the saints will go to be with God.

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