People's New Testament The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. 13:1 Seven Parables of the Kingdom
SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 13: Parable of the Sower. Why He Spoke in Parables. The Parable of the Sower Explained. The Parable of the Tares. The Mustard Seed. The Leaven. The Parable of the Tares Explained. The Hidden Treasure. The Pearl of Great Price. The Fish Net. The same day. For the parable of the Sower compare Mr 4:1-9 Lu 8:4-8. By the sea side. The seashore is that of the Sea of Galilee, probably near Capernaum, at the northwest corner of the lake. And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. 13:2 And great multitudes. Literally, greatest. There is every reason to believe that this was one of the greatest. It was the turning-point in his public teaching, since the parabolic instruction now begins.
And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 13:3 And he spake many things unto them in parables. Of which only samples are preserved, even by Matthew, and still fewer in the other Gospels.
Parables. Narratives designed to convey spiritual instruction. The parable differs from the proverb in being a narrative, from the fable is being true to nature, from the myth in being undeceptive, from the allegory in that it veils the spiritual truth. Behold, a sower went forth to sow. It is the sower in the original. There was grain land on every side, and the figure was familiar to every hearer. There are no farm houses in Palestine. All live in towns or villages. Hence, the farmers go forth to sow. And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 13:4 And when he sowed. The seed-time in Palestine is usually in October, about the time when this parable was spoken. Sowing is always done by hand.
Fell by the way side. Where the field and the road join, or, rather, along the narrow, trodden foot-path through the fields, so common in Palestine. Fowls came and devoured them. The birds, because the grains were not covered. Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 13:5 Some fell upon stony places. Where the rocks that jut out of the hills into the plain had a very thin covering of earth. Much of Palestine is stony.
And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 13:6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched. It was not rooted in that deep, moist soil which would have enabled it to resist the scorching heat of the sun.
And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: 13:7 And some fell among thorns. More literally, into the thorns. The traveler, today, finds Palestine literally a land of thorns, of thistles, brambles, and thorny bushes.
Thorns sprung up, and choked them. Or, as Wycliffe renders it, The thorns sprang up and strangled it. The thorns suffocated the growing plant. But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 13:8 But others fell into good ground. The goodness of this last soil consists in its qualities being precisely the reverse of the other three soils. It was not hard, stony, or weedy.
Some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Thirty-fold is now really a first-rate crop, even for such plains as Esdraelon, just below Nazareth. But in the time of Christ there might be realized, in favorable circumstances, a hundred-fold. Intelligent gentlemen (in the plain of Esdraelon) maintain that they have themselves reaped more than a hundred-fold ( Land and Book ). Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. 13:9 Let him hear. Give heed and seek to understand. See PNT Mt 11:15.
And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 13:11 Given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom. Truths that the uninstructed multitude are not yet prepared for. Every one knows that the lessons given must be adapted to the state of the pupil. Spiritual preparations is needful to understand the deeper spiritual truths (1Co 2:6,11).
For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 13:12 Whosoever hath. Those who have been made some spiritual progress will go on, and have greater knowledge.
Whosoever hath not. No desire for spiritual knowledge. Such shall become dwarfed, and lose even their capacity for spiritual things; a truth constantly illustrated. Whoever uses his opportunities will grow; whoever abuses them will lose them. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 13:13 Because they seeing see not. Do not see in the true light on account of their spiritual ignorance and depravity. The desire to see spiritually is essential to clear perceptions of truth.
And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 13:14-16 The prophecy of Esaias. See Isa 6:9,10. Isaiah describes a spiritual state that existed in the time of Christ, and is often met still, when, on account of hardness of heart and love of the world, men cannot understand the gospel and be converted. It is caused by their own fault. If they would fall out with sin, and come to Christ with a broken and contrite spirit, they would be healed. On other occurrences of this prophecy in the New Testament, see PNT Ac 28:25.
For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 13:14-16 The prophecy of Esaias. See Isa 6:9,10. Isaiah describes a spiritual state that existed in the time of Christ, and is often met still, when, on account of hardness of heart and love of the world, men cannot understand the gospel and be converted. It is caused by their own fault. If they would fall out with sin, and come to Christ with a broken and contrite spirit, they would be healed. On other occurrences of this prophecy in the New Testament, see PNT Ac 28:25.
But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 13:14-16 The prophecy of Esaias. See Isa 6:9,10. Isaiah describes a spiritual state that existed in the time of Christ, and is often met still, when, on account of hardness of heart and love of the world, men cannot understand the gospel and be converted. It is caused by their own fault. If they would fall out with sin, and come to Christ with a broken and contrite spirit, they would be healed. On other occurrences of this prophecy in the New Testament, see PNT Ac 28:25.
For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. 13:17 Desired to see those things which ye see. The prophets and righteous had longed for the coming of Christ. His disciples enjoyed it.
Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 13:18-23 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. In order to understand the parable we must listen to the explanation given in Mt 13:18-23. Christ is the great Sower, and all whom he sends forth to preach are sowers under him. The seed sown is His Word, the Gospel of the Kingdom. The soil is human hearts. Four kinds of human hearts are described: (1) The wayside hearer; the light, flippant, indifferent hearer upon whom no impression is produced. (2) The stony hearer; the heart that exhibits an evanescent feeling at the appeal of the gospel; but upon whom no permanent impression is made. (3) The thorny soil; the heart that takes in the Word, but is so full of worldly cares that these presently gain the mastery. This describes the world-serving hearer. (4) The good soil; the good and honest heart; the heart that receives and retains the truth. In such a heart the seed will grow and the new life will be manifest. Three things, then, are needful: (1) A Sower. (2) Good Seed, the pure word of God. (3) A good and honest heart. A dishonest man cannot be converted until he casts out his dishonesty. He who cavils at and deceitfully entreats the word of God will not be profited.
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. 13:18-23 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. In order to understand the parable we must listen to the explanation given in Mt 13:18-23. Christ is the great Sower, and all whom he sends forth to preach are sowers under him. The seed sown is His Word, the Gospel of the Kingdom. The soil is human hearts. Four kinds of human hearts are described: (1) The wayside hearer; the light, flippant, indifferent hearer upon whom no impression is produced. (2) The stony hearer; the heart that exhibits an evanescent feeling at the appeal of the gospel; but upon whom no permanent impression is made. (3) The thorny soil; the heart that takes in the Word, but is so full of worldly cares that these presently gain the mastery. This describes the world-serving hearer. (4) The good soil; the good and honest heart; the heart that receives and retains the truth. In such a heart the seed will grow and the new life will be manifest. Three things, then, are needful: (1) A Sower. (2) Good Seed, the pure word of God. (3) A good and honest heart. A dishonest man cannot be converted until he casts out his dishonesty. He who cavils at and deceitfully entreats the word of God will not be profited.
But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 13:18-23 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. In order to understand the parable we must listen to the explanation given in Mt 13:18-23. Christ is the great Sower, and all whom he sends forth to preach are sowers under him. The seed sown is His Word, the Gospel of the Kingdom. The soil is human hearts. Four kinds of human hearts are described: (1) The wayside hearer; the light, flippant, indifferent hearer upon whom no impression is produced. (2) The stony hearer; the heart that exhibits an evanescent feeling at the appeal of the gospel; but upon whom no permanent impression is made. (3) The thorny soil; the heart that takes in the Word, but is so full of worldly cares that these presently gain the mastery. This describes the world-serving hearer. (4) The good soil; the good and honest heart; the heart that receives and retains the truth. In such a heart the seed will grow and the new life will be manifest. Three things, then, are needful: (1) A Sower. (2) Good Seed, the pure word of God. (3) A good and honest heart. A dishonest man cannot be converted until he casts out his dishonesty. He who cavils at and deceitfully entreats the word of God will not be profited.
Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 13:18-23 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. In order to understand the parable we must listen to the explanation given in Mt 13:18-23. Christ is the great Sower, and all whom he sends forth to preach are sowers under him. The seed sown is His Word, the Gospel of the Kingdom. The soil is human hearts. Four kinds of human hearts are described: (1) The wayside hearer; the light, flippant, indifferent hearer upon whom no impression is produced. (2) The stony hearer; the heart that exhibits an evanescent feeling at the appeal of the gospel; but upon whom no permanent impression is made. (3) The thorny soil; the heart that takes in the Word, but is so full of worldly cares that these presently gain the mastery. This describes the world-serving hearer. (4) The good soil; the good and honest heart; the heart that receives and retains the truth. In such a heart the seed will grow and the new life will be manifest. Three things, then, are needful: (1) A Sower. (2) Good Seed, the pure word of God. (3) A good and honest heart. A dishonest man cannot be converted until he casts out his dishonesty. He who cavils at and deceitfully entreats the word of God will not be profited.
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 13:18-23 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. In order to understand the parable we must listen to the explanation given in Mt 13:18-23. Christ is the great Sower, and all whom he sends forth to preach are sowers under him. The seed sown is His Word, the Gospel of the Kingdom. The soil is human hearts. Four kinds of human hearts are described: (1) The wayside hearer; the light, flippant, indifferent hearer upon whom no impression is produced. (2) The stony hearer; the heart that exhibits an evanescent feeling at the appeal of the gospel; but upon whom no permanent impression is made. (3) The thorny soil; the heart that takes in the Word, but is so full of worldly cares that these presently gain the mastery. This describes the world-serving hearer. (4) The good soil; the good and honest heart; the heart that receives and retains the truth. In such a heart the seed will grow and the new life will be manifest. Three things, then, are needful: (1) A Sower. (2) Good Seed, the pure word of God. (3) A good and honest heart. A dishonest man cannot be converted until he casts out his dishonesty. He who cavils at and deceitfully entreats the word of God will not be profited.
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 13:18-23 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. In order to understand the parable we must listen to the explanation given in Mt 13:18-23. Christ is the great Sower, and all whom he sends forth to preach are sowers under him. The seed sown is His Word, the Gospel of the Kingdom. The soil is human hearts. Four kinds of human hearts are described: (1) The wayside hearer; the light, flippant, indifferent hearer upon whom no impression is produced. (2) The stony hearer; the heart that exhibits an evanescent feeling at the appeal of the gospel; but upon whom no permanent impression is made. (3) The thorny soil; the heart that takes in the Word, but is so full of worldly cares that these presently gain the mastery. This describes the world-serving hearer. (4) The good soil; the good and honest heart; the heart that receives and retains the truth. In such a heart the seed will grow and the new life will be manifest. Three things, then, are needful: (1) A Sower. (2) Good Seed, the pure word of God. (3) A good and honest heart. A dishonest man cannot be converted until he casts out his dishonesty. He who cavils at and deceitfully entreats the word of God will not be profited.
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 13:24 The kingdom of heaven is likened. The object of all parables in this connection is to explain various features and principles of the kingdom of heaven.
Unto a man which sowed. It is important to note what the kingdom of heaven is likened to. It is not to the field in which the tares and wheat were both sown, nor to the enemy who sowed the tares, but to the man who sowed the good seed. The kingdom does what the Sower is represented as doing. It sows the good seed. Good seed. It is declared in Mt 13:19 that the seed is the word of the kingdom, and in Mt 13:38 that the good seed are the children of the kingdom. These are those in whose heart the good seed has fallen, and their new lives, as children of the kingdom, are the fruit of the good seed. In his field. The controversy has turned upon what the Savior represents by the field. (1) It is not the kingdom, or church, for this is represented by the man that sowed good seed in his field. (2) It is the place where the good seed is sown by the Son of man, or through his agency; in other words, the place where the gospel is preached to men. (3) Mt 13:38 states emphatically that the field is the world. But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 13:25 But while men slept. During sleep is the time of the tare-sowing.
His enemy came and sowed. It is by no means uncommon for the malice in the East to show itself in this way. A wicked person may do great injury with little chance of detection. Tares. The tare or darnel is, like our chess or cheat, a kind of bastard wheat, looking like wheat. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 13:27 From whence then hath it tares? When the harvest was near at hand the difference was seen.
He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 13:28 An enemy hath done this. The great enemy, the prince of the world, who sows evil seed in human hearts.
Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? It has been assumed by one class of interpreters that this a question whether discipline shall be administered upon recreant church members. If the field in which the tares are growing with the wheat is the world, then it refers to something quite different. But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 13:29 Nay; lest... ye root up also the wheat with them. The roots of the wheat and tares were often so intertwined that one could not be pulled up without the other.
Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest. The time of separation will come at last. The righteous shall not always be vexed by the presence and deeds of evil doers. Harvest time will come, and that is the time of separation. The tares, ripened and manifest, can easily be sifted out from the wheat. For the application of the parable see note at Mt 13:36.
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: 13:31 Like to a grain of mustard seed. Compare Lu 13:18-21. The Jews grew mustard in their gardens. Its round seed was previously spoken of as the smallest thing, as it was the smallest seed planted.
Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. 13:32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds. The least of all the field or garden seeds sown in Palestine.
But when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs. All herbs cultivated in the fields or garden of Palestine. Dr. Hooker measured a mustard-plant in the Jordan Valley ten feet high. Thus, the kingdom, from an insignificant beginning, grows to a mighty magnitude. (See Mr 4:31,32). Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. 13:33 The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven. In those days a piece of the leavened dough from an unbaked loaf was put among the new dough to cause fermentation.
Three measures of meal. The usual amount for one baking, an ephah. See Ge 18:6 Jud 6:19 1Sa 1:24. Till all was leavened. The leaven is taken from without and hid in the meal, or flour. The hidden leaven, though only a small quantity, imparts its qualities to the large mass. The Parable teaches that the Gospel is the leavening influence of the world. All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: 13:34 Without a parable spake he not. On that occasion. His whole discourse to the multitude was made up of parables.
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. 13:35 Which was spoken by the prophet. See Ps 78:2.
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. 13:36-43 Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. The parable in Mt 13:24-30. By a comparison we may learn: (1) The kingdom is likened to a man sowing good seed in his field. (2) The Sower is the Son of man, who sows by means of his kingdom. (3) The good seed is the word of God as seen in its fruits, Christ's followers. (4) The field is the world. It is Christ's field. All power is given to him in heaven and in earth. His kingdom is rightfully the whole earth, but much of it is held still by the enemy, who has to be conquered. He will prevail finally, and the kingdoms of the earth shall become the kingdom of the Lord and his Christ. (5) The wheat raised from the good seed is the children of the kingdom, the disciples of Christ converted by his word. (6) The tares are not bad church members, but bad men; those who have been under the influence of the wicked one. (7) The righteous and wicked are to remain in the earth together. The righteous are not to exterminate the wicked. The evil and the good will be mixed until judgment day. (8) Then all shall be gathered at the throne of judgment. The righteous shall inherit the kingdom. All that are wicked shall be cast out of the kingdom. An eternal separation shall take place.
He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 13:36-43 Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. The parable in Mt 13:24-30. By a comparison we may learn: (1) The kingdom is likened to a man sowing good seed in his field. (2) The Sower is the Son of man, who sows by means of his kingdom. (3) The good seed is the word of God as seen in its fruits, Christ's followers. (4) The field is the world. It is Christ's field. All power is given to him in heaven and in earth. His kingdom is rightfully the whole earth, but much of it is held still by the enemy, who has to be conquered. He will prevail finally, and the kingdoms of the earth shall become the kingdom of the Lord and his Christ. (5) The wheat raised from the good seed is the children of the kingdom, the disciples of Christ converted by his word. (6) The tares are not bad church members, but bad men; those who have been under the influence of the wicked one. (7) The righteous and wicked are to remain in the earth together. The righteous are not to exterminate the wicked. The evil and the good will be mixed until judgment day. (8) Then all shall be gathered at the throne of judgment. The righteous shall inherit the kingdom. All that are wicked shall be cast out of the kingdom. An eternal separation shall take place.
The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 13:36-43 Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. The parable in Mt 13:24-30. By a comparison we may learn: (1) The kingdom is likened to a man sowing good seed in his field. (2) The Sower is the Son of man, who sows by means of his kingdom. (3) The good seed is the word of God as seen in its fruits, Christ's followers. (4) The field is the world. It is Christ's field. All power is given to him in heaven and in earth. His kingdom is rightfully the whole earth, but much of it is held still by the enemy, who has to be conquered. He will prevail finally, and the kingdoms of the earth shall become the kingdom of the Lord and his Christ. (5) The wheat raised from the good seed is the children of the kingdom, the disciples of Christ converted by his word. (6) The tares are not bad church members, but bad men; those who have been under the influence of the wicked one. (7) The righteous and wicked are to remain in the earth together. The righteous are not to exterminate the wicked. The evil and the good will be mixed until judgment day. (8) Then all shall be gathered at the throne of judgment. The righteous shall inherit the kingdom. All that are wicked shall be cast out of the kingdom. An eternal separation shall take place.
The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 13:36-43 Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. The parable in Mt 13:24-30. By a comparison we may learn: (1) The kingdom is likened to a man sowing good seed in his field. (2) The Sower is the Son of man, who sows by means of his kingdom. (3) The good seed is the word of God as seen in its fruits, Christ's followers. (4) The field is the world. It is Christ's field. All power is given to him in heaven and in earth. His kingdom is rightfully the whole earth, but much of it is held still by the enemy, who has to be conquered. He will prevail finally, and the kingdoms of the earth shall become the kingdom of the Lord and his Christ. (5) The wheat raised from the good seed is the children of the kingdom, the disciples of Christ converted by his word. (6) The tares are not bad church members, but bad men; those who have been under the influence of the wicked one. (7) The righteous and wicked are to remain in the earth together. The righteous are not to exterminate the wicked. The evil and the good will be mixed until judgment day. (8) Then all shall be gathered at the throne of judgment. The righteous shall inherit the kingdom. All that are wicked shall be cast out of the kingdom. An eternal separation shall take place.
As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 13:36-43 Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. The parable in Mt 13:24-30. By a comparison we may learn: (1) The kingdom is likened to a man sowing good seed in his field. (2) The Sower is the Son of man, who sows by means of his kingdom. (3) The good seed is the word of God as seen in its fruits, Christ's followers. (4) The field is the world. It is Christ's field. All power is given to him in heaven and in earth. His kingdom is rightfully the whole earth, but much of it is held still by the enemy, who has to be conquered. He will prevail finally, and the kingdoms of the earth shall become the kingdom of the Lord and his Christ. (5) The wheat raised from the good seed is the children of the kingdom, the disciples of Christ converted by his word. (6) The tares are not bad church members, but bad men; those who have been under the influence of the wicked one. (7) The righteous and wicked are to remain in the earth together. The righteous are not to exterminate the wicked. The evil and the good will be mixed until judgment day. (8) Then all shall be gathered at the throne of judgment. The righteous shall inherit the kingdom. All that are wicked shall be cast out of the kingdom. An eternal separation shall take place.
The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 13:36-43 Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. The parable in Mt 13:24-30. By a comparison we may learn: (1) The kingdom is likened to a man sowing good seed in his field. (2) The Sower is the Son of man, who sows by means of his kingdom. (3) The good seed is the word of God as seen in its fruits, Christ's followers. (4) The field is the world. It is Christ's field. All power is given to him in heaven and in earth. His kingdom is rightfully the whole earth, but much of it is held still by the enemy, who has to be conquered. He will prevail finally, and the kingdoms of the earth shall become the kingdom of the Lord and his Christ. (5) The wheat raised from the good seed is the children of the kingdom, the disciples of Christ converted by his word. (6) The tares are not bad church members, but bad men; those who have been under the influence of the wicked one. (7) The righteous and wicked are to remain in the earth together. The righteous are not to exterminate the wicked. The evil and the good will be mixed until judgment day. (8) Then all shall be gathered at the throne of judgment. The righteous shall inherit the kingdom. All that are wicked shall be cast out of the kingdom. An eternal separation shall take place.
And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 13:36-43 Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. The parable in Mt 13:24-30. By a comparison we may learn: (1) The kingdom is likened to a man sowing good seed in his field. (2) The Sower is the Son of man, who sows by means of his kingdom. (3) The good seed is the word of God as seen in its fruits, Christ's followers. (4) The field is the world. It is Christ's field. All power is given to him in heaven and in earth. His kingdom is rightfully the whole earth, but much of it is held still by the enemy, who has to be conquered. He will prevail finally, and the kingdoms of the earth shall become the kingdom of the Lord and his Christ. (5) The wheat raised from the good seed is the children of the kingdom, the disciples of Christ converted by his word. (6) The tares are not bad church members, but bad men; those who have been under the influence of the wicked one. (7) The righteous and wicked are to remain in the earth together. The righteous are not to exterminate the wicked. The evil and the good will be mixed until judgment day. (8) Then all shall be gathered at the throne of judgment. The righteous shall inherit the kingdom. All that are wicked shall be cast out of the kingdom. An eternal separation shall take place.
Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. 13:36-43 Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. The parable in Mt 13:24-30. By a comparison we may learn: (1) The kingdom is likened to a man sowing good seed in his field. (2) The Sower is the Son of man, who sows by means of his kingdom. (3) The good seed is the word of God as seen in its fruits, Christ's followers. (4) The field is the world. It is Christ's field. All power is given to him in heaven and in earth. His kingdom is rightfully the whole earth, but much of it is held still by the enemy, who has to be conquered. He will prevail finally, and the kingdoms of the earth shall become the kingdom of the Lord and his Christ. (5) The wheat raised from the good seed is the children of the kingdom, the disciples of Christ converted by his word. (6) The tares are not bad church members, but bad men; those who have been under the influence of the wicked one. (7) The righteous and wicked are to remain in the earth together. The righteous are not to exterminate the wicked. The evil and the good will be mixed until judgment day. (8) Then all shall be gathered at the throne of judgment. The righteous shall inherit the kingdom. All that are wicked shall be cast out of the kingdom. An eternal separation shall take place.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 13:44 The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hidden in a field. Valuables which, with us, are entrusted to banks, are in the East buried in fields and gardens to save them from robbers and accidents. The parable teaches the immense value, priceless, of the gospel; and that one who finds out that value will give up everything else in order to possess himself of the privileges and hopes of the kingdom.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 13:45 Like unto a merchantman seeking goodly pearls. Pearls were then esteemed as the most valuable ornaments, and were sought by merchants on distant shores, the most valuable being brought from the Indian Ocean.
Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. 13:46 When he had found one pearl of great price. He was willing to invest everything he had in this pearl of surpassing beauty and worth.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: 13:47 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a net. The Savior's illustrations all come home to his audience. Many were husbandmen; many were women familiar with the culinary art; some were merchants; many were fishermen. A drag net or seine is meant.
Gathered of every kind. Here again, as in the parable of the Tares, it is taught that, at the end of the world, the angels shall sever the wicked from the just. Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 13:48 When it was full. The fishermen cannot stop to sort while they are drawing the nest. Nor can the preachers of the gospel always distinguish.
So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, 13:49 So shall it be at the end of the world. Then, not men, but the angels, under the direction of the Son of Man, shall sever the wicked from the just.
And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 13:50 Shall cast them into the furnace of fire. Here is repeated, word for word, the language of Mt 13:42,50. The tares, the chaff, the corrupt trees, the barren tree, are all represented as burned, and here also the wicked are cast into a furnace. While I suppose that the language is a figure, it can only be understood as indicating that the sufferings of Gehenna, the abode of the wicked, are intense. See Mt 8:12.
Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.
Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. 13:52 Every scribe which is instructed, etc. Such will be able to furnish rich and suitable spiritual food. Scribes were theological teachers.
And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.
And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? 13:54 When he had come into his own country. To Nazareth, where he was brought up. Compare Mr 6:1-6 Lu 4:14-29.
He taught them in their synagogue. On the Sabbath day (Mr 6:2). Whence hath this man this wisdom? While admitting it, they were offended at it (Mt 13:58). Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? 13:55,56 Is not this the carpenter's son? Joseph. Jesus was a carpenter also (Mr 6:3).
His mother called Mary? She is named. Joseph is indicated by his trade. His brethren, James, and Joses, Simon, and Judas? Sons of Joseph and Mary. For a full discussion of their relationship, see PNT Joh 2:12. And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? 13:55,56 Is not this the carpenter's son? Joseph. Jesus was a carpenter also (Mr 6:3).
His mother called Mary? She is named. Joseph is indicated by his trade. His brethren, James, and Joses, Simon, and Judas? Sons of Joseph and Mary. For a full discussion of their relationship, see PNT Joh 2:12. And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. 13:57 And they were offended in him. Made to stumble. Led into error. They could not see how one so humble, and of so humble a family, could be so great a teacher.
A prophet is not without honour, etc. A proverb that is quoted and applied. And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. 13:58 He did not many mighty works, etc. Faith was the usual condition of his miracles. Where there is persistent, obstinate unbelief, Christ works no mighty moral works now. The People's New Testament by B.W. Johnson [1891] Bible Hub |
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