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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:24-43

The tares; the mustard seed; the leaven. I. THE STORY OF THE TARES . 1 . Resemblance to the first parable. Again we have the field, the sower, and the seed. Again the seed is good. "God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good." Again the Sower sowed the good seed all over the field. No part was neglected. 2 . The differences. II. THE GRAIN OF MUSTARD SEED . 1 . The parable. The mustard seed is small. It is sown in the field; it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:24-43

The great Administrator's foresight. This second parable of the seven proceeds in a certain degree upon the lines of the first. But its object is different; and though quite in the nature of an advance on the former, it is more limited in its scope. The first parable manifestly is the foundation of this one, and perhaps it may be said of all others. We may, perhaps, judge that to each parable, as one succeeded another, quickened attention was given, at any rate, by some of the hearers. But... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:36-43

The explanation of the parable of the tares of the field. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:36-43

The tares in the field. (See ante, on Matthew 13:24-30 .)—J.A.M. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:36-52

Christ alone with his disciples. He explains to them at their request the parable of the tares ( Matthew 13:36-43 ), and adds three parables—the treasure, the pearl, the dragnet—the first two calculated to urge them to full renunciation of everything for Christ, the third to save them from presumption ( Matthew 13:44-50 ). Upon their acknowledging progress in spiritual understanding, he shows them further possibilities ( Matthew 13:51 , Matthew 13:52 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:39

Th e enemy that sowed them ( ὁσπείρας ); contrast Matthew 13:37 ( ὁσπείρων τὸ καλὸν σπέρμα ) . Matthew 13:37 states what is ever true; Matthew 13:39 merely refers back to the enemy spoken of in the parable. Is the devil ( Matthew 4:1 , note). (For the thought of this and the preceding clause, see John 8:44 ; 1 John 3:8 , 1 John 3:10 .) The harvest is the end of the world; literally, as the margin of the Revised Version, the consummation of the age ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:40

As therefore. Observe that in Matthew 13:40-43 our Lord dwells at much greater length on the details of the reapers' work than on the preceding stages of the parable. lie wishes to draw special attention to the fact that the tares will, without any doubt, be one day separated, and the wheat appear in full splendour. The tares are gathered and burned in the fire— burned with fire (Revised Version); cf. Matthew 3:10 , note— so shall it be in the end of this world (verse 39, note). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:41

The Son of man. Observe how expressly Christ identifies the Sower with the Lord of the angels. Shall send forth ( ἀποστελεῖ )—as his representatives ( Matthew 10:2 , note)— his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom— though they are now there— all things that offend, and them which do iniquity ( πάντα τὰ σκάνδαλα καὶ τοῦς ποιοῦντας τὴν ἀνομιάν ); all things that offend ( that cause stumbling, Revised Version); Matthew 5:29 , note. In itself it would... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:42

And shall cast them into a ( the, Revised Version) furnace of fire: there shall be ( the , Revised Version) wailing and gnashing of teeth. Judging by the analogy of Matthew 13:50 , even the first clause is not necessarily due to the image of the tares. The furnace of fire was no unknown expression for the punishment of the wicked (cf. also Matthew 8:12 , note). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 13:36-43

Declare unto us - That is, explain the meaning of the parable. This was done in so plain a manner as to render comment unnecessary. The Son of man, the Lord Jesus, sows the good seed - that is, preaches the gospel. This he did personally, and does now by his ministers, his providence, and his Spirit, by all the means of conveying “truth” to the mind. This seed was, by various means, to be carried over all the world. It was to be confined to no particular nation or people. The good seed was the... read more

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