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The Commentary

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International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 16, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 36.

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The Commentary.

THE PARABLES OF JESUS.

Lesson 1.—The Sower.

(Sabbath, October 2.)
1. WHEN did Jesus begin his public teaching?—Immediately after his baptism (Acts 20: 37, 38), which was when he was thirty years of age. As this was the age at which the Jews entered public life, John the Baptist was undoubtedly thirty years of age when he began to baptize, in the fifteenth year of Tiberius Cæsar. This was in A. D. 26, and Jesus, being six months younger than John, was therefore baptized in A. D. 27.
2. Relate the circumstances of his baptism. Matt. 3: 13–17.
3. What experience next followed? Matt. 4.
4. After choosing some of his disciples, where did Jesus go?
5. What place was the scene of his first miracle? John 2: 1–11.
6. Where did Jesus then take up his abode? Verse 12.
7. How long was it from the baptism of Jesus to the time when he gave his memorable sermon on the mount?—Probably two years.
8. What notable miracles did he perform soon after giving this discourse? Matt. 8: 5–13; Luke 7: 1–17.
9. Where was Jesus when he spoke the parable concerning the sower? Mark 4: 1; Matt. 13: 1.
10. Under what circumstances was the parable given? Matt. 13: 2; Luke 8: 4.
11. To what extent did Jesus employ this method of instruction? Mark 4: 2, 33, 34.
12. In the parable of the sower, where is the seed represented as falling? Matt. 13: 4, 5, 7, 8.
13. Under which of these circumstances does the seed produce fruit? Verse 8.
14. Which seed does not grow at all? Verse 4.
15. Why does it not germinate?
16. Which seed attains a rapid but unreliable growth? Why? Verse 5.
17. Which seed attains growth but is unable to produce grain? Verse 7.
18. What is the cause of this unfruitfulness?
19. Describe the productiveness of that which falls on good ground. Verse 8.
20. Why were some not able to understand this parable? Verse 15.
21. How does Jesus congratulate his disciples? Verse 16.
22. What does he say of the advantage they enjoy? Verse 17.
23. When the multitude had retired, what favor did the disciples ask? Mark 4: 10; Luke 8: 9.
24. How did the Saviour show some surprise at this request? Mark 4: 13.
25. What did he afterward say? Matt. 13: 18.
26. In our Saviour's explanation of the parable, what is the seed said to represent? Luke 8: 11.
27. Who are they that receive the seed by the wayside? Matt. 13: 19.
28. Who are they that receive it in stony places? Verses 20, 21.
29. Who are they that receive it among the thorns? Verse 22; Mark 4: 18, 19; Luke 8: 14.
30. Describe the class that receive the seed into good ground. Matt. 13: 23; Luke 8: 15.
31. What inference may we draw from the fact that the seed is sown in all places, even by the wayside?
32. What, in every case, is the cause of unfruitfulness?
33. How may those find help who do not understand the word? James 1: 5.
34. What encouragement may those receive who find it hard to endure trials? James 1: 2–4; Matt. 5: 11, 12; Acts 5: 40, 41; 1 Peter 4: 13, 14; 1: 3–9.
35. What instruction may help those who are worldly minded? Prov. 23: 4, 5; 1 Tim. 6: 9, 10; 1 John 2: 15, 16; James 4: 4.