Matthew 13:36 NIV: Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."

Matthew 13:36

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◄ Matthew 13:36 ►

New International Version (© 2011)
Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."

King James Bible
Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

American Standard Version
Then he left the multitudes, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Explain unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

Young's Literal Translation
Then having let away the multitudes, Jesus came to the house, and his disciples came near to him, saying, 'Explain to us the simile of the darnel of the field.'

Matthew 13:36 Additional Translations
Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Jesus - went into the house: and his disciples came - Circumstances of this kind should not pass unnoticed: they are instructive and important. Those who attend only to the public preaching of the Gospel of God are not likely to understand fully the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. To understand clearly the purport of the Divine message, a man must come to God by frequent, fervent, secret prayer. It is thus that the word of God sinks into the heart, is watered, and brings forth much fruit.

Declare (φρασον, explain) unto us the parable of the tares of the field. - To what has already been spoken on this parable, the following general exposition may be deemed a necessary appendage: -

I. What is the cause of Evil in the world?

1. We must allow that God, who is infinite in holiness, purity, and goodness, could not have done it. Nothing can produce what is not in itself. This is a maxim which every man subscribes to: God then could not have produced sin, forasmuch as his nature is infinite goodness and holiness. He made man at first in his own image, a transcript of his own purity: and, since sin entered into the world, He has done every thing consistent with his own perfections, and the freedom of the human mind, to drive it out, and to make and keep man holy.

2. After a thousand volumes are written on the origin of evil, we shall just know as much of it as Christ has told us here - An enemy hath done it, and this enemy is the devil, Matthew 13:39.

1. This enemy is represented as a deceitful enemy: a friend in appearance, soliciting to sin, by pleasure, honor, riches, etc.

2. A vigilant enemy. While men sleep he watches, Matthew 13:25.

3. A hidden or secret enemy. After having sown his seed, he disappears, Matthew 13:25. Did he appear as himself, few would receive solicitations to sin; but he is seldom discovered in evil thoughts, unholy desires, flattering discourses, bad books, etc.

II. Why was evil permitted to enter into the world?

1. There are doubtless sufficient reasons in the Divine Mind for its permission; which, connected with his infinite essence, and extending to eternity, are not only unfathomable by us, but also, from their nature, incommunicable to men.

2. But it may be justly said, that hereby many attributes of the Divine Nature become manifest, which otherwise could not have been known; such as mercy, compassion, long-suffering, etc. All of which endear the Deity to men, and perfect the felicity of those who are saved.

III. But why does he suffer this mixture of the good and bad seed now?

1. Because of the necessary dependence of one part of the creation on the other. Were the wicked all rooted up, society must fail, the earth be nearly desolated, noxious things greatly multiplied, and the small remnant of the godly, not being able to stand against the onsets of wild beasts, etc., must soon be extirpated; and then adieu to the economy of grace!

2. Did not the wicked exist, there would be no room for the exercise of many of the graces of the Spirit, on which our spiritual perfection greatly depends.

continued...

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jesus.

Matthew 14:22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him to the other side...

Matthew 15:39 And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.

Mark 6:45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before to Bethsaida...

Mark 8:9 And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.

and went.

Matthew 13:1 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.

Matthew 9:28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus said to them, Believe you that I am able to do this?...

Mark 4:34 But without a parable spoke he not to them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

Declare.