The author of Matthew offers a well constructed parable based on social realities that existed in first-century agricultural Palestine that also reflected Hellenistic-Roman practices. These practices are explained in detail as far as they are related to the parable. Basing the arguments on accepted theories of parable interpretation it is illustrated how a definite but surprising picture of God is presented. The context was most probably Jews who was pondering about the absence of God in the realities of this world. However, Jesus provides an answer, showing the active presence of God even among the poor. The unmeasured grace of God is shown to everybody – nobody should feel jealous about that, but should rejoice.
Die outeur van Matteus bied ʼn goed gekonstrueerde gelykenis aan wat gebaseer is op die sosiale realiteit van die eerste eeu se landboupraktyke in Palestina en in die destydse Hellenisties-Romeinse omgewing. Hierdie landboupraktyke word in detail uitgelê in soverre dit met die gelykenis verband hou. Deur van aanvaarde gelykenisteorieë gebruik te maak word geïllustreer hoe ʼn duidelike maar tog verrassende beeld van God geskets word. Die gelykenis speel waarskynlik ʼn konteks af waar Jode gewonder het oor die afwesigheid van God in hierdie wêreld. Tog bied Jesus die antwoord deur die aktiwiteit van God, selfs onder die armes te onderstreep. Die onmeetlike genade van God word aan almal betoon – niemand behoort daaroor jaloers te voel nie, maar moet liewer daaroor bly wees.
