Matt. 13:18-23, “Get It Together” (1)

There is “knowledge” of the facts, “wisdom” in using that knowledge, and then there is “understanding.”  Let me share Vine’s description of this term:

primarily, "to bring or set together," is used metaphorically of "perceiving, understanding, uniting" (sun), so to speak, the perception with what is perceived.

“Perception” is critical point.  You might think this is “wisdom,” and in Eph. 5:17 understanding is the opposite of being unwise.  But as I see it, “understanding” is between knowing the facts and using the facts.  It indicates you have brought the strands of information related to something, and it has affected your heart. 

In this post I just want to list the verb uses because it starts with what is likely the most important issue of understanding.  For space, “u” is “understanding.”

·       Mt 13:13-15: Isaish: hearing but shall not u. Ye shall hear and not u. Eyes and ears closed lest they u and be converted. Also in Mk 4:12; Lk 8:10; Ac28:26,27.  Israel got the facts through the prophets, but these facts would not grip their hearts, which is the seat of “understanding.”

·       Mt 13:19,23: parable of soils: one u not; one u.  Both receive the gospel but one has no heart engagement, the other does. (Lk. 8:17,21)

·       Mt 13:51: Jesus asks: have you u all things? Yes, they said.  Interesting.  Are the disciples saying, “we have the facts” or that they truly “understand?”

·       Mt 15:10: Jesus calls the multitudes to “hear & u.”  Not just the facts. (Mk. 7:14)

·       Mt 16:12: then they u he spoke of spiritual leaven, not literal. Remember: “understanding” involves bringing together various strands.  When the saw that He was not talking about literal bread then they could understand.

·       Mt 17:13: disciples u he spoke of John the B. 

·       Mk 6:52: disciples considered not the miracle of loaves bec. hearts were hard.

·       Lk 2:50: they u not Jesus’ remark about His Father's business (age 12).

·       Lk 18:34: disciples didn't u what Jesus said of His death, resurrection.  Note: this was the third time Jesus had told them of His coming suffering.

·       Lk 24:45: Jesus opens their understanding (nous, the mind, comprising alike the faculties of perceiving and understanding and those of feeling, judging, determining) so they can u Scripture.  He enabled the organ of perception to they could perceive.  This is a New Covenant issue (cf. Deut. 29:2-4; Jer. 31:31-34).

·       Ac7:25ab: Moses thought his brothers would u his mission but they u not.

·       Ac13:27: those in Jerusalem knew not Christ or prophets.

·       Ro 3:11: there is none that understands.

·       2Co 10:12: those who measure and compare selves by selves are not wise.

·       Eph 5:17: be not unwise but understanding what will of Lord is.

The next post will build considerable on this.