The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:28
He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. An enemy ( ἔχθρος ἄνθρωπος ) . Not "my enemy," referring to some one person, for in real life a man can seldom be at once sure, without inquiry, who it is that has injured him secretly. There are so many coincidences in this verse and Matthew 13:39 ( ἔχθρος ἄνθρωπος τοῦτο ἐποίησεν , [ ἁμάν ] πονηρὸς [ οὗτος ], ὁδιάβολος ) with the LXX . of Esther 7:4-6 , that it would almost seem as though the... read more
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