Matthew 13:48 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:47-50

The dragnet. The import of this parable is similar to that of the tares, though perhaps of wider application. The theatre of the earlier parable is the land, which in prophecy designates the Hebrew people, while the sea, in the latter, points to the Gentile nations (cf. Isaiah 5:30 ; Daniel 7:2 , Daniel 7:3 ; Revelation 13:1 ; Revelation 17:1 , Revelation 17:15 ). The kingdom of heaven was first offered to the Jews, and when they rejected it, it was then carried to the Gentiles... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:48

Which, when it was full; filled (Revised Version, ἐπληρώθη ); i.e. not as a matter of course, but by those that came or were brought in. They drew to shore. The Revised Version reproduces the local touch, they drew up on the beach ( Matthew 13:2 , note). In the parable those who cast the net also separate the fish, but this identification of two distinct sets of persons ( Matthew 13:24 , Matthew 13:30 , Matthew 13:37 , Matthew 13:41 ) is merely part of the machinery of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:48

The final sorting time. Those who have watched the hauling in of the great seine net on our shores, the rapid sorting of its contents, the throwing of the bad away, and the noisy auction on the sands, will fully realize every point of our Lord's illustration. The net represents the gospel message, the good news of God the Saviour. It is like a net; it will catch and hold men. Put into words it is this: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Jesus "is able to save unto the uttermost... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 13:47-50

The kingdom of heaven is like unto a net ... - This parable does not differ in meaning from that of the tares. The gospel is compared to a net dragging along on the bottom of a lake, and collecting all - good and bad. The gospel may be expected to do the same; but in the end of the world, when the net “is drawn in,” the bad will be separated from the good; the one will be cast away, and the other saved. Our Saviour never fails to keep before our minds the great truth that there is to be a day... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 13:47-50

Matthew 13:47-50. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, &c. The gospel preached to the world may be compared to a net cast into the sea, and gathering fishes of all kinds. For by the preaching of it congregations are gathered, and a visible church is formed, and both good and bad men are brought to profess themselves members of it, and are mingled together in such a manner, that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to make a proper distinction between them: Christian... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 13:44-52

56. Hidden treasure; pearl; fishing net (Matthew 13:44-52)Two parables show that when people are convinced of the priceless and lasting value of the kingdom of God, they will make any sacrifice to enter it (Matthew 13:44-46). Yet those in the kingdom still live in a world where the righteous and the wicked exist together. Even among those who claim to be in the kingdom are the true and the false. These will be separated at the last judgment (Matthew 13:47-50).Jesus’ teachings are likened to... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 13:48

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. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 13:47-50

Matthew 13:47-50. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net— This parable intimates, that by the preaching of the Gospel a visible church should be gathered on earth, consistingboth of good and bad men, mingled in such a manner, that it would be difficult to make a proper distinction between them; but that at the end of the world the bad shall be separated from the good, and cast into hell; which the parable represents under the image of casting them into the furnace of fire, because that... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 13:48

48. Which, when it was full, they drew to shore—for the separation will not be made till the number of the elect is accomplished. and sat down—expressing the deliberateness with which the judicial separation will at length be made. and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away—literally, "the rotten," but here meaning, "the foul" or "worthless" fish: corresponding to the "tares" of the other parable. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 13:1-53

C. Adaptations because of Israel’s rejection of Jesus 13:1-53"The die is cast. The religious leaders have openly declared their opposition to their Messiah. The people of Israel are amazed at the power of Jesus and His speech, but they fail to recognize Him as their King. Not seeing the Messiahship of Jesus in His words and works, they have separated the fruit from the tree. Because of this opposition and spiritual apathy, the King adapts His teaching method and the doctrine concerning the... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:47-50

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:48

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:48

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 13:47-50

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 13:47-50

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 13:44-52

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 13:48

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 13:47-50

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 13:48

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 13:1-53

Group of Brands