Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.
Jesus asks His disciples whether they have understood the parables of the kingdom He has just taught, including the parable of the net, and they answer that they have. The same question is put to His hearers, calling them to understand His lessons. The chapter to which this question belongs is a solemn warning to be read with serious heed, calling readers to examine themselves in view of Christ's judgment, where only those whose characters are unstained will be acquitted. The lessons whose understanding He thus tests contain the principles that underlie true education and are essential to the ministry of the Word, and they are to be closely studied until they leave their impression on believers. To understand these teachings is a privilege that calls those entrusted with knowledge to walk in Christ's light.
Their understanding was part of their preparation for future work, for those who receive truth become responsible as teachers to share the light they have received with others. Communicating received truths brings still greater knowledge of truth.
The question and answer introduce the principle that a teacher instructed in the kingdom of heaven brings forth both old and new truths. The Old and New Testaments belong together as inseparable teachings of Christ and both are valuable, and teachers must present them together with each illuminating the other, since rejecting either leaves out essential testimony about Him and is not unto salvation. Christ has been humanity's Redeemer from the beginning, and in both dispensations salvation and pardon come through faith in Him alone. Part of the teacher's work is to search the Old Testament for the prophecies that identify Jesus as the Messiah and reveal His mission.
Jesus asks His disciples whether they have understood the parables of the kingdom He has just taught, including the parable of the net, and they answer that they have. The same question is put to His hearers, calling them to understand His lessons. The chapter to which this question belongs is a solemn warning to be read with serious heed, calling readers to examine themselves in view of Christ's judgment, where only those whose characters are unstained will be acquitted. The lessons whose understanding He thus tests contain the principles that underlie true education and are essential to the ministry of the Word, and they are to be closely studied until they leave their impression on believers. To understand these teachings is a privilege that calls those entrusted with knowledge to walk in Christ's light.
Their understanding was part of their preparation for future work, for those who receive truth become responsible as teachers to share the light they have received with others. Communicating received truths brings still greater knowledge of truth.
The question and answer introduce the principle that a teacher instructed in the kingdom of heaven brings forth both old and new truths. The Old and New Testaments belong together as inseparable teachings of Christ and both are valuable, and teachers must present them together with each illuminating the other, since rejecting either leaves out essential testimony about Him and is not unto salvation. Christ has been humanity's Redeemer from the beginning, and in both dispensations salvation and pardon come through faith in Him alone. Part of the teacher's work is to search the Old Testament for the prophecies that identify Jesus as the Messiah and reveal His mission.