The parable of the “tares and the wheat” introduces the two seeds-the good and the bad—the diverse contents of the present “age,” or world-Christendom.
The parables of the “mustard seed” and the “leaven,” take up the “tares,” presenting them, the bad thing of Christendom, in its two forms of outward secular greatness, and of internal spiritual corruption.
The parables of the “treasure” and the “pearl,” in like manner, take up the wheat, presenting it, the good thing of Christendom, in its two characters, as being set for Christ’s joy, and for Christ’s joy or delight.
The parable of the “drag net” shows the separating, judicial action that is to close the age.
[No doubt when “the kingdom of heaven” when set up hereafter (i.e. in millennial day), will comprise Jews, Gentiles, and church of God (1 Cor. a. 32); this last in heavenly glory.]
The tares and the wheat are generating, so to speak, the rest. For it includes the bad thing, and the good thing, and the judgment that finally separates these two things. And thus the remaining five parables are only an enlarged view of the contents of this parent-parable, giving us what was in the womb there, in deeply affecting, solemn, and precious characteristics.