The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. Ver. 1. _The same day_] Wherein Christ had had a sharp bout and bickering with the scribes and Pharisees in the forenoon, he sat and taught the people (as it may seem) in the afternoon. A precedent of preaching twice a day. Chrysost... [ Continue Reading ]
And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. Ver. 2. _He went into a ship and sat_] Thinking, perhaps, there to repose himself, after his hard conflict with the Pharisees. But the sight of a new audience inci... [ Continue Reading ]
And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; Ver. 3. _And he spake many things to them in parables_] A parable, saith Suidas, is διηγημα και ομοιωσις πραγματων, a setting forth of the matter by way of similitude from something else that differs in kind,... [ Continue Reading ]
And when he sowed, some _seeds_ fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Ver. 4. _And when he sowed, some seed, &c._] The word is a seed of immortality. For, 1. As seeds are small things, yet produce great substances, as an acorn an oak, &c., so by the foolishness of preaching... [ Continue Reading ]
Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: Ver. 5. _Some fell upon stony places, &c._] Our Saviour, his own best interpreter, explains all this to his disciples, Matthew 13:18,19. The intent of these various parab... [ Continue Reading ]
And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. Ver. 6. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 13:5 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: Ver. 7. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 13:5 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Ver. 8. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 13:5 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. Ver. 9. _Who hath ears to hear, &c._] _q.d._ Some have ears to hear, some not. So he divideth his hearers into _auritos et surdos._ All men have not faith, saith St Paul. Men's ears must be bored, as David's, their hearts opened, as Lydia's, ere the word can ent... [ Continue Reading ]
And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? Ver. 10. _And his disciples came and said unto him_] They came to him for satisfaction. Note this against those captious and capricious hearers, that maliciously relate to others that which to them seems not so well... [ Continue Reading ]
He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. Ver. 11. _Because it is given to you_] Plutarch thinks that life is given to men merely for the getting of knowledge. And the Greeks call man Φωτα, for the inbre... [ Continue Reading ]
For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Ver. 12. _For whosoever hath, to him shall be given_] _sc._ If he have it for practice, not else, Zechariah 11:17. Men, to the hearing of the word, mu... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. Ver. 13. _Therefore speak I to them in parables_] Because their wilful blindness and stubbornness deserve I should do it. They are sinners against their own souls, let them rue... [ Continue Reading ]
And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: Ver. 14. _In them is fulfilled_] Ανατληρουται, is again fulfilled, _q.d._ It is even with these now, as it was with those then. The same... [ Continue Reading ]
For this people's heart is waxed gross, and _their_ ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with _their_ eyes, and hear with _their_ ears, and should understand with _their_ heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Ver. 15. _For thi... [ Continue Reading ]
But blessed _are_ your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. Ver. 16. _But blessed are your eyes, &c._] Demaratus of Corinth was wont to say, that those Grecians lost a great part of the comfort of their lives, that had not seen great Alexander sitting on Darius's throne. St Austin wish... [ Continue Reading ]
For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous _men_ have desired to see _those things_ which ye see, and have not seen _them_; and to hear _those things_ which ye hear, and have not heard _them_. Ver. 17. _Desired to see those things that ye see, &c._] They saw them, and saluted them... [ Continue Reading ]
Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. Ver. 18. _Hear ye therefore the parable, &c._] The disciples had asked him concerning the multitude, Matthew 13:10; "Why speakest thou to them in parables?" They pretended that the multitude understood him not, and therefore he should do well to show them... [ Continue Reading ]
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth _it_ not, then cometh the wicked _one_, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. Ver. 19. _The word of the kingdom_] So called, because it points to and paints out the way to t... [ Continue Reading ]
But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Ver. 20. _And anon with joy receiveth it_] Anon, or immediately. Temporaries are too sudden and, or e'er they be soundly humbled, will be catching at the comforts, as children do a... [ Continue Reading ]
Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. Ver. 21. _Yet hath he not root in himself_] These flashy affections have not principles to maintain them, and therefore come to nothing. They are enlig... [ Continue Reading ]
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. Ver. 22. _He that received the seed among thorns_] So the love of money is called, because it chokes the word, pricks the... [ Continue Reading ]
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth _it_; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Ver. 23. _But he that received seed, &c._] Which is but a fourth part, if so much, of those that have the w... [ Continue Reading ]
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: Ver. 24. _The kingdom of heaven_] viz. here on earth. For we have eternal life already, 1. _In pretio, _ 2. _Promisso, _ 3. _Primitiis, _ in the price, promise, firstfruit... [ Continue Reading ]
But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. Ver. 25. _But while men slept_] Christ, the Lord of the husbandry, neither slumbereth nor sleepeth; but the labourers and landholders, to whom he lets out his vineyard, are frequently found to be safe and secure,... [ Continue Reading ]
But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. Ver. 26. _Then appeared the tares also_] Hypocrites are sure sooner or later to be detected. All will out at length. _Sacco solute apparuit argentum._ When God turns the bottom of the bag upwards, their secret... [ Continue Reading ]
So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? Ver. 27. _So the servants of the householder, &c._] Godly ministers are much vexed at hypocrites and fruitless hearers. So was our Saviour at the Pharisees, Mar... [ Continue Reading ]
He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? Ver. 28. _Wilt thou then that we go, &c._] This was zeal indeed, but rash and unseasonable, and is therefore to be moderated by prudence and patience. Those two sons of thunder had... [ Continue Reading ]
But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Ver. 29. _Lest while ye gather up the tares_] Those that are now tares, hypocrites, may become good corn, good Christians. Jethro, an Ishmaelite by nation, may prove an Israelite by religion. Simon Magus may p... [ Continue Reading ]
Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. Ver. 30. _Bind them in bundles, &c._] This shall be the angels' office at the last day, to bu... [ Continue Reading ]
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Ver. 31. _Is like to a grain of mustard seed_] "Which soon pierceth the nostrils and brain," as Pliny noteth, _a_ and "hurteth the eyes," as the very n... [ Continue Reading ]
Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. Ver. 32. _Which indeed is the least of all seeds_] That is, one of the least (μικροτερον), for there is as little o... [ Continue Reading ]
Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. Ver. 33. _The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven_] Which soon diffuseth itself into the whole lump. The word of God is not bound, tho... [ Continue Reading ]
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: Ver. 34. _And without a parable spake he not, &c._] A singular judgment of God upon them for their contumacy and contempt of the gospel: so it is now upon many people, that God taketh sometime... [ Continue Reading ]
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. Ver. 35. _I will utter things, &c._] I will freely and plentifully discuss with them, _a_ as a fountain casteth out... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. Ver. 36. _Declare unto us the parable_] Private conference hath incredible profit. The minister cannot possibly say all in an hour: seek settl... [ Continue Reading ]
He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; Ver. 37. _Is the Son of man_] _i.e._ Signifies the Son of man: as circumcision is the covenant; that is, the sign of the covenant. And as Christ saith of the sacramental bread, "This is my body," which Luther interprets... [ Continue Reading ]
The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked _one_; Ver. 38. _The field is the world_] The Christian world, the Church, not the Roman Catholic Church only, the Pope's territories, as he would have it. The Rogatian heretics would... [ Continue Reading ]
The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. Ver. 39. _The enemy that sowed them, &c._] As Esther said, "The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman," so Satan. Why then have men so much to do with him? The Jews, as often as they hear... [ Continue Reading ]
As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. Ver. 40. _So shall it be in the end of this world_] As till then there can be no perfect purging of the Church. Nevertheless, magistrates and all good people must do their utmost within their bounds... [ Continue Reading ]
The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; Ver. 41. _All things that offend_] Gr. All scandals (σκανδαλα), pests, botches, blocks to others in the way to heaven. _Scandalum est rei non bonae sed malae exem... [ Continue Reading ]
And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Ver. 42. _And shall cast them into a furnace of fire_] Lo, the good angels are executioners of God's judgments. There cannot be a better and more noble act, than to do justice upon obstinate malefactors. Howbe... [ Continue Reading ]
Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. Ver. 43. _Then shall the righteous shine_] Those that have here lain among the pots, smucht and sullied, shall then outshine the sun in his strength. Shine they shall in their bodies... [ Continue Reading ]
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Ver. 44. _Like unto treasure hid, &c._] A treasure is a heap of precious things laid up for future uses. _a_... [ Continue Reading ]
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Ver. 45. _The kingdom of heaven, &c._] The wise merchant, besides the pearl of price, seeks out other goodly pearls, common gifts, whicb also have their use and excellence; but he rests not in them, as philosophers, po... [ Continue Reading ]
Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Ver. 46. _Who when he had found one pearl, &c._] Of far greater price than that precious adamant that was found about Charles Duke of Burgundy, slain in battle by the Switzers at Nantes, A.D. 1476. This a... [ Continue Reading ]
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Ver. 47. _Again the kingdom, &c._] Christ is an incessant teacher: learn then, for shame, lest he turn us off for non-proficients. Let one sermon peg in another; and every second potion set the... [ Continue Reading ]
Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. Ver. 48. _And cast the bad away_] _Algam, silices, arenulas, sordes_ (σαπρα). Beza. Here was of both sorts, till the separation was made. The visible Church resembles the ark, which... [ Continue Reading ]
So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, Ver. 49. _The angels shall come forth and sever_] But how shall the angels know them asunder, may some say? By that _signum salutare_ that God hath set upon them, that mark in their forehe... [ Continue Reading ]
And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Ver. 50. _And shall cast them into the furnace_] An exquisite torment is hereby deciphered. This our Saviour had said in the same words but a little afore, Matthew 13:42. he here repeats it that men may the... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord. Ver. 51. _Have ye understood all these things?_] See here the ancient use of catechising in the Christian Church. So afterwards, _Credis Credo. Abrenuncias? Abrenuneio, _ were the primitive questions and answe... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe _which is_ instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man _that is_ an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure _things_ new and old. Ver. 52. _Therefore every scribe_] _i.e._ Every teacher of the Church must be both learned and... [ Continue Reading ]
And it came to pass, _that_ when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence. Ver. 53. _He departed thence_] As wanting, and yet waiting, the next opportunity to glorify God, and edify others. Ministers may hence learn, after their hardest labour, not to be weary of well doing, but to be... [ Continue Reading ]
And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this _man_ this wisdom, and _these_ mighty works? Ver. 54. _And when he was come into his own country_] Which naturally draws our hearts to it by a kind of magneti... [ Continue Reading ]
Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? Ver. 55. _Is not this the carpenter's son?_] Why, but was he not architect of the world? St Mark hath it, "Is not this the carpenter?" Why, yes; it may be so. Justin Martyr, an... [ Continue Reading ]
And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this _man_ all these things? Ver. 56. _Whence then hath this man, &c._] Hath he not got his skill by ill arts? yea, by the black art doth he work these wonders? sure he never came by all these things honestly, and in God's name. Think it n... [ Continue Reading ]
And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. Ver. 57. _A prophet is not without honour, &c._] This was an ordinary saying of our Saviour's, recorded by all four evangelists, and is therefore much to be marke... [ Continue Reading ]
And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. Ver. 58. _He did not many mighty works_] Mark saith he could not do much for them. Christ, that could do all things by his absolute power, could hardly do anything by his actual power (could not, because he would not) for unbelievers... [ Continue Reading ]