Parables Taught Beside the Sea

Jesus Calmed the Sea

On one occasion Jesus was asleep in the ship when a great storm arose on the Sea of Galilee. His disciples were frightened and awakened him. He rebuked the wind and the sea and there was a great calm.

The disciples marveled saying, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"

When Jesus taught from a ship to the multitude standing on the shore he used many illustrations; everyday stories the people would readily understand. Some of the stories were parables which had a deeper meaning than the simple telling of the story.

Matthew records the parables of :

• The Sower who sowed seed on different kinds of soil and how he received different results . (Jesus compares these soils to the differences in the hearts of people and their reception to the words spoken.)
  
  
• Weeds sowed by an enemy among the wheat. He said they should grow up together and be separated at harvest time. (The rightous will live among the wicked, but will not behave as they do. Eventually there will be a separation.)
  
  
• The Mustard Seed is the smallest of seed, but when grown makes a large tree. ( The kingdom of God had a small beginning, but has grown to fill the earth.)
  
  
• Yeast when mixed with flour will leaven the whole lump of bread. (Goodness will have an effect on those around and cause changes to take place.)
  
  
• The Hidden Treasure is buried in a field. A man finds it and buys that field in order to have the treasure. (Serving God is worth whatever price a person must pay.)
  
  
• The Pearl of Great Price must be purchased whatever the cost. (Has the same meaning as the Hidden Treasure.)
  
  
• The Net catches all kinds of fish. The good are kept, but the bad are cast away. (Good and bad people will co-exist in this world, but there will be a day of reckoning when they will be separated. The good will be rewarded and the bad cast away.)