Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 13:1-23

We have here Christ preaching, and may observe, 1. When Christ preached this sermon; it was the same day that he preached the sermon in the foregoing chapter: so unwearied was he in doing good, and working the works of him that sent him. Note, Christ was for preaching both ends of the day, and has by his example recommended that practice to his church; we must in the morning sow our seed, and in the evening not withhold our hand, Eccl. 11:6. An afternoon sermon well heard, will be so far from... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 13:1-58

Matthew 13:1-58 is a very important chapter in the pattern of the gospel. (i) It shows a definite turning-point in the ministry of Jesus. At the beginning of his ministry we find him teaching in the synagogues; but now we find him teaching on the seashore. The change is very significant. It was not that the door of the synagogue was as yet finally shut to him, but it was closing. Even yet in the synagogue he would find a welcome from the common people; but the official leaders of Jewish... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 13:10

And the disciples came, and said unto him ,.... Not the twelve only, but others that were about him, as Mark says, who also were his disciples, and believed in him: these, when he was alone, came nearer to him, who, whilst he was preaching to the people, were at some little distance from him, either in the ship, or on the shore, though within the hearing of him, and addressed him after this manner; why speakest thou unto them in parables? not that this way of speaking was new and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 13:10

Verse 10 10.The disciples approaching said to him. From the words of Matthew it is evident, that the disciples did not merely look to themselves, but wished also to consult the benefit of others. Being unable to comprehend the parable, they concluded that it would be as little understood by the people; and, therefore, they complain that Christ employed language from which his hearers could derive no profit. Now though parables are generally found to illustrate the subject of which they treat,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:1-23

The parable of the sower. I. THE CIRCUMSTANCES . 1 . The time. It was the day, St. Matthew says (the order in St. Luke is different), on which our Lord had cast the devil out of the blind and dumb man; the day on which the Pharisees had so fiercely accused him of intercourse with Satan; when his own mother and brethren had feared for his safety, and sought to guide and regulate his work; when, as appears from St. Luke ( Luke 11:37 ), a Pharisee had invited him in no friendly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:1-23

The beginning of parables. Utilize introduction to dwell on the plain assertions of Matthew 13:10-17 . However deep their real theological meaning, however mysterious their significance in respect of the sovereign conduct of the world and the judgment of mankind, the statements are plain. The deep, unfathomable fact underlying the quotation from Isaiah (verses 14, 15) is not altogether free from offering some analogy to the subject of the sin against the Holy Ghost (see our homily, ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:1-58

(a) , Matthew 13:1-23 , also in Mark and Luke, except some characteristic enlargements in verses 10-17. The section contains the parable of the sower and its interpretation, together with a statement of our Lord's reasons for teaching by parables. This is so nearly akin to the fundamental lesson of the first parable, that we cannot be surprised that the two should be recorded together. They seem, indeed, to have formed the nucleus of the whole collection. (b) Verses 24-35, of which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:3-23

Parable of the sower. The object of this parable is to explain the causes of the failure and success of the gospel. It might have been supposed enough to proclaim the kingdom. Why does this fail? It fails, says our Lord, because of the nature of the soil. This soil is often impervious, often shallow, often dirty. I. " SOME SEEDS FELL BY THE WAYSIDE , AND THE FOWLS CAME AND DEVOURED THEM ." The spiritual analogue is said to be in him "who heareth the Word,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:10

Matthew alone in this form. In Luke the disciples asked our Lord what the parable was; in Mark, more generally, they "asked of him the parables." Whether the question as given by St. Matthew was actually spoken by the disciples or not, the Lord's answer, the substance of which is the same in all three accounts, suggests that it at least represents their thoughts. St. Matthew probably wishes to bring out with special clearness, by his version of their words, the point of our Lord's reply. And... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:10

The reason for the use of parables. It is not sufficiently observed that our Lord adopted the parabolic style only after he had been teaching for some time. His earlier discourses are full of illustrations, and they set truth in paradoxical sentences which excite thought and inquiry; but the parabolic was a new method of hiding truth for a while, and from some, which was called for by certain results attending Christ's teachings. It should be clearly seen that the parable is designed to... read more

Group of Brands