1.
The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.
The same day. Greek. en The day referred to in Matthew 12:46-50 .
Jesus. App-98 .
out of the house. The teaching from verses: Matthew 13:3-35 was public; from verses: Matthew 13:36-52 was within the house, in private, out of. Greek. apo, as in Matthew 12:43 . But Tr. reads [ ek ] and apo in margin WH omit apo and read ek in margin L and T read ek (104. vii.) in text.
the house: or His house, at Capernaum (Matthew 9:28 ). App-169 .
sat = was sitting.
by . . . side = beside. Greek. para .
2.
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.
gathered together. Not the same as in verses: Matthew 13:28 , Matthew 13:29 , Matthew 13:30 , Mat 28:40 , Mat 28:41 , Mat 28:48 , but same as in verses: Matthew 13:30 , Matthew 13:47 .
into. Greek. eis.
a = the. See notes on Matthew 4:21 ; Matthew 8:23 .
on. Greek. epi.
3.
And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
many things. Some of these parables were repeated (and varied) on other occasions. There are no "discrepancies".
in = by. Greek. en . App-104 .
parables. Here, eight (not "seven" as sometimes alleged) are selected for the special purpose of the Holy Spirit in this Gospel. See App-96 and App-145 .
Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .
a sower = the sower. As these eight parables relate to "the Kingdom of the Heavens" ( App-114 ), the sowing must relate to the proclamation of it (Matthew 13:19 ): (1) by John, "the wayside", Matthew 3:2 , Matthew 3:5 , Matthew 3:6 ; (2) by Christ, the Twelve, and the Seventy, "the stony ground", Matthew 4:12 , Mat 4:26 , Mat 4:35 ; (3) by the Twelve in the land, and Paul in the synagogues of the Dispersion (the Acts); (4) still future (Matthew 24:14 ) and on "good", because prepared ground. See App-140 ., and 145.
4.
And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
when he sowed = in (as in Matthew 13:3 ): in his sowing.
some = some indeed.
way side. The part of the field beside the way.
fowls = birds.
5.
Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
Some = And some.
stony places = rocky or broken land.
not much earth. Not depth enough of earth.
forthwith = immediately.
because = through (Greek. dia.) not having depth of earth.
6.
And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
7.
And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
among = upon. Greek. epi. App-104 .
8.
But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
into = upon. Greek. epi. App-104 .
good ground = the ground, the good [ground]. Good, because prepared.
brought forth. All the verbs are in past tenses.
9.
Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Who: i.e. Him who hears.
10.
And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
11.
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.
He = And He.
is given = hath been given: i.e. is permanently given.
to know = to get to know. Greek. ginosko. App-132 .
the mysteries = the secrets; or the things hitherto kept secret.
of = belonging to. Genitive of Relation. App-17 .
the kingdom of heaven. See App-114 .
heaven = the heavens (plural) See notes on Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 .
it is not given = it hath not been given.
12.
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.
whosoever. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus). whosoever hath, &c. Figure of speech Paroemia. Compare Matthew 25:29 .
have more abundance = be made to abound.
13.
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
Therefore = On this account. Greek. dia touto. See App-104 .Matthew 13:2 .
seeing see . . . hearing . . . hear. Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6 .
14.
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:
in = upon. Greek. epi .
fulfilled = is fulfilling. See Isaiah 6:9 . Compare John 12:40 . Acts 28:26 .
Esaias = Isaiah. Quoted from Isaiah 6:9 , Isaiah 6:10 . Compare the other two: John 12:39 . Acts 28:25-27 .
not = by no means. Gr . ou me. See App-105 .
15.
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.
waxed gross = grown fat.
see. Greek. blepo. App-133 .
be converted = be turned to [the Lord].
16.
But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
blessed = happy, as in Matthew 5:3 , &c.
your eyes . . . your ears = ye. "Eyes" and "ears" being put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), App-6 , for the persons themselves.
17.
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.
verily. See note on Matthew 5:18 .
have desired = desired [earnestly].
to see = to
get a sight of. Greek. eidon. App-133 .
ye see = ye are seeing. Greek. bllepo .
have not seen = never saw.
seen. Greek. eidon .
have not heard = never heard.
18.
Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
19.
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.
the word of the kingdom: i.e. the proclamation of its having drawn nigh, as in Matthew 3:2 ; Matthew 4:17 . Acts 2:28 ; Acts 3:19-26 .
word. Greek. logos.
the wicked one = the evil [one]. See App-128 .
received. Compare Acts 2:41 . 1 Thessalonians 2:13 . Not the same word in Greek, but the same truth.
20.
But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
anon = immediately. The same word as "by and by" in Matthew 13:21 .
21.
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.
but dureth for a while = but is temporary, or endureth but for a season.
by and by = immediately. Same word as "anon". Matthew 13:20 . The offence is as immediate as the joy.
is offended = stumbles.
22.
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.
among. Greek. eis . App-104 . Not the same word as in Matthew 13:5 .
is he = this is he.
world = age. Greek. aion. See App-129 .
he = it.
23.
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.
which also = who indeed.
and bringeth forth = produceth also.
some = some indeed.
some = but other.
24.
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
Another. Greek. alos. App-124 . The parables spoken outside (Matthew 13:1 ) are introduced thus; those within the house by the word "again" (Matthew 13:36 ): marking off the Structure p. 1336; and App-144 .
The kingdom of heaven. See App-114 .
heaven = the heavens. See note on Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 .
25.
But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
slept. App-171 .
sowed = sowed upon [and therefore among]. Greek. epispeiro = sowed. Occurs only here. All the texts read "sowed over".
tares. Greek. zizania (Occurs only in this chapter, verses: Matthew 13:25 , Matthew 13:36 .) Not "darnel" (the Lolium temulentum of naturalists), but zewan as known to-day in Palestine. While growing it looks like wheat, but when full grown the ears are long and the grains almost black. Each grain of zewan must be removed before grinding wheat, or the bread is bitter and poisonous. Wheat is golden; but tares show their true colour as they ripen.
among = in (Greek. ana,) the midst.
went his way. He had no doubt as to the result. Nor should those have doubt who sow "the good seed" of the Word of God. They should have as much confidence in their sowing as the "enemy" had in his; and go their way, and sow more.
26.
But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
appeared. Greek. phaino. App-106 .
27.
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?
servants = bondservants.
householder = master of the house. See App-98 .
Sir. Greek. kurios.
28.
He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
He = And he.
An enemy = A man an enemy. Figure of speech Pleonasm ( App-6 ), for emphasis.
hath done = did.
Wilt. Greek. thelo . See App-102 .
gather them up? = collect them together?
29.
But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
Nay. Greek. ou. App-105 .
ye gather up = [while] gathering them together.
30.
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.
grow together. Greek. sunauxanomai. Occurs only here.
reapers. Greek. theristes. Occurs only here, and in Matthew 13:39 .
in = into. Greek. eis.
bundles. Greek. desme. Occurs only here, in this form.
to burn = in order to burn.
31.
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:
32.
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.
the least = less indeed.
of all seeds. Supply the Ellipsis from Matthew 13:31 = "than all the seeds [that a man sows in his field]".
it is grown = it shall or may have grown. This growth is contrary to nature: to show that it symbolizes an unnatural result, with its consequences.
the greatest among herbs = greater than [garden] herbs.
the air = the heaven (singular)
lodge = perch.
33.
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.
leaven = sour dough. Always used in a bad sense, as meal is in a good sense: therefore the common interpretation as to the Gospel's improving the world is the exact contrary of the leaven corrupting the whole of the meal. The same is true of the symbol of the "woman", see below. The Lord mentions three kinds of leaven, all of which were evil in their working: the leaven (1) of the Pharisees = hypocrisy or formalism (Luke 12:1 ); (2) of the Pharisees and Sadducees = evil doctrine or teaching (Matthew 16:11 , Matthew 16:12 ); (3) of Herod = political religion, or worldliness (Mark 8:15 ). Compare also Gen 19:3 . 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 . 1Co 23:14 , 1Co 23:16 , 1Co 23:23-28 .
a woman. A common symbol of evil in the moral or religious spheres. See Zechariah 5:7 , Zechariah 5:8 . Revelation 2:20 ; Revelation 17:1-6 .
hid. Compare Matthew 13:44 , and see the Structure. App-145 .
leavened = corrupted.
34.
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:
multitude = multitudes (plural).
spake He not = was He not speaking.
35.
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.
That = So that.
fulfilled. Quoted from Psalms 78:2 . See App-107 and App-117 .
by = by means of. Greek. dia. App-104 .Matthew 13:1 .
utter = pour forth. Greek. ereugomai. Occurs only here.
from the foundation of the world. Note the seven occurrences of this expression (here; Matthew 25:34 .Luke 11:50 . Hebrews 4:3 ; Hebrews 9:6 . Revelation 13:8 ; Revelation 17:8 ). Contrast "before the overthrow", &c. (John 17:24 .Ephesians 1:4 . 1 Peter 1:20 ).
foundation = overthrow. See Genesis 1:2 . App-146 .
world. Greek. kosmos. App-129 .
36.
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.
went into the house. This determines the Structure, on p. 1336.
the house. Peter's house.
Declare = Expound. Greek. phrazo. Occurs only here, and in Matthew 15:15 .
37.
He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
the Son of man. See App-98 . Compare Matthew 8:20 . Here the Lord is explaining the parable.
38.
The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
are = these are: i.e. represent. Figure of speech Metaphor. App-6 .
children = sons. App-108 .
39.
The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
the end of the world = the end of the age, age-time, or dispensation. The expression occurs six times (here, verses: Matthew 13:40 , Matthew 13:49 , Matthew 13:3 ; Matthew 28:20 . Hebrews 9:26 ), always in this sense.
end. Greek. sunteleia (not " telos ") = closing time, denoting the joining of two age-times: i.e. the closing time of one leading on to the other. The sunteleia mark the closing period, while telos marks the actual and final end.
the angels = angels. In Matthew 13:41 "His angels".
40.
As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
this world = this [present] age-time (compare verses: Matthew 13:22 , Matthew 13:39 ).
41.
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;
out of. Greek. ek.
offend = cause offence, or stumbling.
iniquity = lawlessness.
42.
And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
a furnace = the furnace, as in Matthew 13:50 .
wailing and gnashing. See note on Matthew 8:12 .
gnashing = the grinding.
43.
Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
shine forth. Greek. eklampo. Occurs only here.
the kingdom, &c. See App-112 .
Who hath, &c. See note on Matthew 11:15 . See App-142 .
44.
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.
Again. This word marks and links together the last three parables. See the Structure, p. 1336 ( App-145 ), and note on "another", Matthew 13:24 .
hid = lying hidden. Compare Matthew 13:33 and Matthew 13:35 .
for = from. Greek. apo.
buyeth. Not the word for "redeem". See note on 2 Peter 2:1 .
45.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
a merchant man = a man, a merchant. Compare Matthew 13:28 , "an enemy".
46.
Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
47.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
a net = a drag-net, or seine. Greek. sagene. Occurs only here.
of = out of. Greek. ek. App-104 .
48.
Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
drew = drew up. Greek. anabibazo. Occurs only here.
to shore = upon (Greek. epi.) the shore.
the bad = the useless: i.e. the cat-fish, plentiful in the Sea of Galilee.
away = out.
49.
So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
at = in, as in Matthew 13:3 .
come forth = go out. The Lord was speaking on earth.
sever = separate.
wicked = evil ones. Greek plural of poneros. App-128 .
from among. Greek. ek
just = righteous ones.
50.
And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
51.
Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.
Jesus saith unto them. All the texts omit this clause.
Lord. All the texts omit "Lord" here.
52.
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.
instructed = discipled, or initiated as a disciple.
unto. All the texts omit eis ( App-104 .), L reads en , reading "in the kingdom", for "unto the kingdom".
an householder = a man a householder. Figure of speech Pleonasm ( App-6 ), for emphasis. See Matthew 13:27 .
new = new (in character). Greek. kainos ; not neos, which = new (in time). See notes on Matthew 9:17 ; Matthew 26:28 , Matthew 26:29 .
53.
And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.
finished. Thus marking the end of this special collocation of parables, showing them to he one whole.
departed. Greek. metairo. Occurs only here and Matthew 19:1 ; referring probably to His going by water.
54.
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?
taught = was teaching
synagogue. See App-120 .
this = this [fellow].
mighty works. Plural of dunamis. App-172 .
55.
Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
and. Note the Figure of speech P olysyndeton ( App-6 ), emphasizing each one individually.
56.
And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
with Greek. pros.
57.
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.
offended = stumbled.
in = at. Greek. en .
his own house. His own family: "house" being put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for the family dwelling within it.
58.
And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.