Matthew 13:1
SEASIDE; the sea of Galilee.... [ Continue Reading ]
SEASIDE; the sea of Galilee.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHIP; a small vessel or fishing-boat... [ Continue Reading ]
PARABLES; the parables of Christ were descriptions of natural things, for the purpose of illustrating spiritual things. The seven parables recorded in this chapter all relate to the kingdom of heaven among men. See note on Chap Matthew 3:2. They are both illustrations of its nature and prophecies of... [ Continue Reading ]
WAYSIDE; where the ground was not ploughed, and the seed sown not covered. Careless hearers receive no benefit from the word of truth, though it be preached ever so faithfully.... [ Continue Reading ]
STONY PLACES; where the rocks were but slightly covered with earth. To be savingly benefited by the preaching of the gospel, it is not enough that persons admit its truths, that their feelings are excited, that they are greatly distressed on account of sin, or that they have a hope of salvation, and... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE THEY HAD NO ROOT; the roots could not go down deep enough to obtain the moisture needful for their growth.... [ Continue Reading ]
THORNS; parts of the field which had not been cleared. CHOKED; so shaded and exhausted in the ground as to prevent the grain from yielding increase. Supreme devotion to this world, whatever by a man's feelings and conduct in other respects, will prevent all saving efficacy of the gospel; and as lon... [ Continue Reading ]
GOOD GROUND; rich soil, and well prepared. Notice the gradation in respect to these four kinds of soil. In the first, the seed perishes without even springing up; in the second, it springs up, but withers away; in the third, it springs up and bears fruit, but not to perfection; in the fourth, it yie... [ Continue Reading ]
WHY SPEAKEST THOU-IN PARABLES? the question shows that this was the first time he had addressed the multitudes in this manner. Compare with this chapter the sermon on the mount, in which there are only similitudes intermingled with plain address.... [ Continue Reading ]
YOU; his disciples, who loved him and desired to understand his teaching. THE MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN; the deep truths respecting the dispensation of the gospel, which had not before been revealed, or were revealed only in part, and which Christ opened plainly to his disciples. TO THEM;... [ Continue Reading ]
HATH; hath some knowledge of these mysteries. SHALL BE GIVEN; more knowledge. It is a practical knowledge of which the Saviour speaks, implying love towards him, and a desire to understand the truths which he taught. HATH NOT; hath not knowledge, because he hath neither love towards me nor desire... [ Continue Reading ]
SEEING, SEE NOT; have faculties and opportunities, but do not rightly use them; of course do not understand the truths which they do not desire to know. The ignorance, dulness, and prejudices which come from such a wrong state of heart, made it proper that the Saviour should veil his instructions in... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THEM IS FULFILLED; the language of Isaiah is a description of their case. Isaiah 6:9-10. NOT PERCEIVE; not perceive the spiritual meaning of his words, because, as expressed in the next verse, they shut their eyes against the light. They were not converted, and not saved, as they might have been... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SEE-THEY HEAR; with good effect. They loved the truth and desired to know it, and to them a knowledge of it was communicated.... [ Continue Reading ]
THINGS WHICH YE SEE-HEAR; things done by the Messiah, and truths taught by him.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PARABLE; understand the meaning of it. It represents four classes of hearers: the thoughtless, the fickle, the worldly, and the truly pious.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WORD OF THE KINGDOM; the truths of the gospel. UNDERSTANDETH IF NOT; because he does not properly attend to it. This represents thoughtless, careless, and stupid hearers.... [ Continue Reading ]
ANON; immediately; and as we are elsewhere taught, without either understanding or counting the cost of Christ's service. Compare Luke 14:25-33.... [ Continue Reading ]
ROOT IN HIMSELF; true Christian principle. OFFENDED; discouraged, loses the interest which he once felt in the gospel, and turns back. This represents the fickle: persons of quick feelings, easily excited, and who for a time appear to be much engaged. But they are unstable, easily turned aside by d... [ Continue Reading ]
UNFRUITFUL; destitute of good works. He does not live a life of piety towards God, and of beneficence towards men. This represents the worldly-minded man, who is so occupied with the things of time, that he has no heart to attend to the salvation of his soul, or the souls of his fellow-men.... [ Continue Reading ]
BEARETH FRUIT; he receives the truth into the heart, and acts under its abiding influence. This represents the pious, the friends of God and men. They are all useful, but some more so than others. These truths, as to the various effects of the gospel, it was important that his disciples, who were to... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKENED; the kingdom of heaven, here the visible church of Christ, is likened to a field in which the owner sows good seed, etc. GOOD SEED; clean wheat, representing the truths of the gospel, and those who embrace them.... [ Continue Reading ]
TARES; not our American tares, but a species of darnel bearing poisonous seeds, and having, before it comes to a head, a near resemblance to the stalks of wheat and barley. In places where Christ, by his ministers, communicates his truth, Satan and his agents will disseminate errors; and such is the... [ Continue Reading ]
BROUGHT FORTH FRUIT; when the fruit began to grow. By their principles and conduct, the difference between those who embrace the gospel and those who embrace opposite errors, is seen.... [ Continue Reading ]
GATHER THEM UP; by the process of weeding common in that country.... [ Continue Reading ]
ROOT UP ALSO THE WHEAT; on account of their resemblance and connection with each other. Men cannot in this world separate entirely the wicked from the righteous, or with certainty judge as to the characters of men. That must be left to the Searcher of hearts, and to the decisions of the day of judgm... [ Continue Reading ]
HARVEST; the day of judgment. REAPERS; the angels. TARES; the wicked. WHEAT; the righteous. Ver Matthew 13:49-50.... [ Continue Reading ]
ANOTHER PARABLE; this parable represents the progress which the gospel would make. From small beginnings it would increase, and its influence become extensive and powerful.... [ Continue Reading ]
A TREE; in that country the mustard grows much larger than it does in this.... [ Continue Reading ]
LEAVEN; leaven is all-pervading and powerful. Though silent and hidden, it soon affects the whole mass. So would divine truth be, in its influence on individuals and on communities.... [ Continue Reading ]
WITHOUT A PARABLE SPAKE HE NOT; see note on ver Matthew 13:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PROPHET; PSALMS 78:2. The history of ancient Israel which the psalmist recounts was typical of the higher mysteries of Christ's kingdom, as the apostle Paul expressly teaches. 1 Corinthians 10:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
SON OF MAN; meaning himself, dispensing truth either personally or by his servants.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FIELD IS THE WORLD; for by the appointment of Christ the good seed of the gospel is to be sown among all nations, so that the visible church shall be coextensive with the world. CHILDREN OF THE KINGDOM; children of God not in name alone, but in reality. CHILDREN OF THE WICKED ONE; of Satan, th... [ Continue Reading ]
RIGHTEOUS; the same as "the children of the kingdom," those who have believed and obeyed the gospel. SHINE FORTH AS THE SUN; be inexpressibly glorious in heaven. EARS TO HEAR; let all who have ears hear and believe, and so act that they may escape the wailing of the wicked, and enjoy the glory of... [ Continue Reading ]
BUYETH THAT FIELD; that, by obtaining possession of the field, he may obtain possession of the treasure in it. He who rightly estimates the value of his soul, will make its salvation his chief concern, and give up whatever prevents his obtaining it.... [ Continue Reading ]
A NET-CAST INTO THE SEA; the sea is the world, and the net is the gospel with its ministers and ordinances. This parable has a close relation to that of the tares in the field. It shows the mixture of good and evil which will always exist in the visible church on earth. We should not be discouraged... [ Continue Reading ]
It can be of no avail to any man to be a member of Christ's visible church, unless he have also the character of a Christian.... [ Continue Reading ]
EVERY SCRIBE; in allusion to the office of the Jewish scribes, which was to teach the law of Moses, Christ names those whom he calls to be teachers in the kingdom of heaven scribes. INSTRUCTED; trained and furnished as he should be. Ministers of the gospel should be always learning, not merely of m... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS OWN COUNTRY; Nazareth. Chap Matthew 2:23.... [ Continue Reading ]
CARPENTER'S SON; Joseph, his reputed father, was a carpenter.... [ Continue Reading ]
THESE THINGS; wisdom to teach in such an interesting and instructive manner, and power to work miracles.... [ Continue Reading ]
OFFENDED; at his humble birth and indigent circumstances. They were too proud to receive him as their teacher. IN HIS OWN HOUSE; a man often has less influence with those among whom he spent his childhood than with others. To judge of persons by their wealth, or that of their relatives, or by any m... [ Continue Reading ]
UNBELIEF; as they rejected him, and disbelieved his Messiahship, notwithstanding all his miracles, he left them and departed to another place.... [ Continue Reading ]