Matthew 13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 13:20

But he that received the seed into stony places - is he - That is, is a fit emblem of that man who, hearing the Gospel, is affected with its beauty and excellency, and immediately receiveth it with joy - is glad to hear what God has done to make man happy. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 13:21

Yet hath he not root in himself - His soul is not deeply convinced of its guilt and depravity; the fallow ground is not properly ploughed up, nor the rock broken. When persecution, etc., ariseth, which he did not expect, he is soon stumbled - seeks some pretext to abandon both the doctrine and followers of Christ. Having not felt his own sore, and the plague of his heart, he has not properly discovered that this salvation is the only remedy for his soul: thus he has no motive in his heart... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 13:22

He also that received seed among the thorns - In land ploughed, but not properly cleared and seeded. Is he - represents that person who heareth the word, but the cares, rather the anxiety, η μεριμνα , the whole system of anxious carking cares. Lexicographers derive the word μεριμνα from μεριζειν τον νουν , dividing, or distracting the mind. Thus a poet, Tot me impediunt curae quae meum animum diverse trahunt . "So many cares hinder me which draw my mind different ways." Terence. ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 13:23

Good ground - That which had depth of mould, was well ploughed, and well weeded. Is he that heareth - Who diligently attends the ministry of the word. And understandeth it - Lays the subject to heart, deeply weighing its nature, design, and importance. Which also beareth fruit - His fruitfulness being an almost necessary consequence of his thus laying the Divine message to heart. Let it be observed, that to hear, to understand, and to bring forth fruit, are the three grand... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 13:24

The kingdom of heaven - God's method of managing the affairs of the world, and the concerns of his Church. Is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field - In general, the world may be termed the field of God; and in particular, those who profess to believe in God through Christ are his field or farm; among whom God sows nothing but the pure unadulterated word of his truth. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 13:25

But while men slept - When the professors were lukewarm, and the pastors indolent, his enemy came and sowed tares, ζιζανια degenerate, or bastard wheat. The righteous and the wicked are often mingled in the visible Church. Every Christian society, how pure soever its principles may be, has its bastard wheat - those who bear a resemblance to the good, but whose hearts are not right with God. He who sows this bastard wheat among God's people is here styled God's enemy; and he may be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 13:26

When the blade was sprung up - then appeared the tares also - Satan has a shoot of iniquity for every shoot of grace; and, when God revives his work, Satan revives his also. No marvel, therefore, if we find scandals arising suddenly to discredit a work of grace, where God has begun to pour out his Spirit. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 13:27

So the servants - said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow - A faithful and vigilant minister of Christ fails not to discover the evil, to lament it, and to address himself to God by prayer, in order to find out the cause of it, and to receive from him proper information how to behave on the occasion. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 13:28

An enemy hath done this - It is the interest of Satan to introduce hypocrites and wicked persons into religious societies, in order to discredit the work of God, and to favor his own designs. Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? - A zeal which is rash and precipitate is as much to be feared as the total lack of strict discipline. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 13:29

But he said, Nay - God judges quite otherwise than men of this mixture of good and evil in the world; he knows the good which he intends to produce from it, and how far his patience towards the wicked should extend, in order to their conversion, or the farther sanctification of the righteous. Men often persecute a true Christian, while they intend only to prosecute an impious person. "A zeal for the extirpation of heretics and wicked men," said a pious Papist, "not regulated by these words... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 13:20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 13:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 13:22

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 13:23

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 13:24

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 13:25

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 13:26

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 13:27

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 13:28

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 13:29

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