There are 4 books in the Bible that account for the actions of Yahushua (commonly called Jesus).  These four accounts are commonly called “The Gospels” and in a number of instances, they account for the same stories or parables that were told, but each account is slightly different from the next.  There are a number of reasons that this is the case, but probably the main reason would be that the stories were shared at a number of times and with a number of people.

The Gospels are further categorized into a smaller group called the synoptic gospels and consist of Matthew, Mark and Luke.  These are grouped together because, unlike John, these three writings include many of the same stories in the same sequence and with similar wording.

While a number of people much more educated than I have put together comparisons of these texts, this post tries to address the parable with some outside texts not previously considered.  While I cannot post the complete text, I do hope to provide enough to give the parable a bit more of the possible context.

Themed Parables

There are a number of parables throughout “The Gospels” that are used to describe “The Kingdom of Heaven” or some facet thereof (the path to it or the selection of people in it).  The following parables are used in this context:

1. The 10 Lamp Bearers
2. The Unmerciful Servant (Two Debtors)
3. The Weeds (Tares)
4. The Growing Seed and Measures of Flower
5. Hidden Treasures
6. The Wedding Feast and Garments
7. The Talents (bags of gold)
8. The Vineyard Workers
9. The Sower

Upon completion of these parables, there is a summary of the Kingdom of God.

This section of parables is introduced in the following way and I share it due to its application over the centuries both prior to it being spoken and after:

The Gospel of the Kailedy (Chapter 17)
A man in the crowd said to Yahushua, “We have heard of your teachings and that you herald the rule of God. Tell us about this.”
Yahushua said, “There is the kingdom of the Spirit and the kingdom of the flesh. God rules the first himself, but the second he rules through his viceroy – man. But man tries to set himself up as an independent ruler, making his own laws and setting aside those of his Sovereign. When the viceroy ceases to rebel and governs in accord with the decrees of the Sovereign, that will be the rule of God.”
The man said, “This teaching is beyond our understanding. We have the law which comes from the mouthpieces of God.” Yahushua said, “Of course you have the law, but it is either disobeyed, ignored or circumvented. Therefore, it is nullified and rendered ineffective.
“I have come to gather the lost sheep, bringing them back into the fold, which is the will of God. I have come to cleanse the Earth with purifying fire. But though I have struck the sparks, the tinder is not yet ignited. I travel a stony road, but the greatest ordeal lies ahead. You may think in your hearts that I come to bring peace to the Earth and concord among men, and this is true, for such will be under the rule of God. However, before this comes about, those who oppose it must be defeated. Therefore, I come to arm those who are loyal to the cause, to put a sword into the hands of men and stinging words on the tongues of women. Henceforth, families will be divided against themselves, and brother will be separated from brother, and father set against son…”
…Then one in the crowd shouted, “Tell us about the kingdom of heaven, for surely if we are going there, it is well to know what it is like.”
Yahushua said, “If you were going to a distant city, which would be most beneficial – a description of it, or details concerning the route? Then too, is it not important to prepare for your reception? For if a man residing in a palace describe the place, this serves no purpose to one who will have to beg for scraps and sleep in the gutters.