Division III
(Matthew 11:2 – 13:53)
11:2-12:50 Narrative: Opposition to the King
11:2-6 John Introducing His Disciples to Jesus
Structure
Opening (2-3), John sends two disciples.
Example (4-6) Jesus’ answer.
Machaerus
Machaerus became one of Herod the Great’s fortresses, which was passed on to his son, Herod Antipas. According to Josephus in his Antiquities of the Jews 18.5.2, Herod Antipas had John the Baptist beheaded here at Machaerus.
John the Baptist Sends His Disciples
This visit took place early in Jesus’ ministry, but after John had been imprisoned. John served about two years of prison time. Thus, the timing might have taken place after a few months of being imprisoned.
Often preached is that John was suffering in prison, which caused him doubt about Jesus. But John had heard God’s blessing upon Jesus at the latter’s baptism. Why the doubt? Was Jesus sending a message to encourage John?
On the other hand, the ancient writers state that John sent his disciples with this question so as to introduce them to Jesus.
Scripture Reading - BPV
Mt. 11:2-6
2 Whereas John having heard in the prison the works of the Christ, having sent two of his disciples,
3 said to him, “Are Thou the coming One, or do we expect another?”
4 And Jesus answering said to them, “Having gone, report to John what things ye hear and look on,
5 “blind recover sight, and lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and deaf hear, and dead are raised, and poor are brought good news,[1] 6 “and happy is whoever if he should not be stumbled in me.”
[1] Isaiah 35:5-6, 61:1
11:7-15 Jesus Speaks About John the Baptist
Reed
Jordan River
Messenger
John is more than a prophet, but a messenger of God. ἄγγελος=aggelos can mean messenger or angel.
Prepare
To prepare, κατασκευάζω=kataskeuazō, means to equip or furnish fully.
Violence
The Kingdom of the Heavens suffering violence could refer to the opposition of the religious establishment. Herod Antipas would be one who was violent when he had arrested John the Baptist.
The One Being About To Come
A common expectation was ‘the return of Elijah’. Thus, the phrase, “the one being about to come” had come, referred to John the Baptist being Elijah.
Scripture Reading - BPV
Mt. 11:7-15
7 Whereas as they are going, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What went ye out into the wilderness to perceive? A reed shaken by the wind?
8 “But what went ye out to see? A man having
been clothed in soft cloaks? Behold, those wearing the soft things are in the houses of kings.
9 “But what went ye out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more extraordinary than a prophet,
10 “for this is he concerning whom it has been written,
Behold, I send My messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.”[2]
11 “Amen I say to you, there has not risen,
among those born of women, greater than John the Baptist. But least in the Kingdom of the Heavens is greater than he.”
12 “But from the days of John the Baptist till even now,
the Kingdom of the Heavens suffers violence, and the violent seize it,
13 “for all the Prophets and the Law till John
prophesied,
14 and if ye are willing to receive it with your right
hand, he is Elijah, ‘the one being about to come’;[3]
15 he having ears to hear: Let him hear.”
11:16-19 Wisdom Justified
Parallel
In verse 16, young little children complain about being able to please their companions in verse 17, who will not dance nor sing a sad song.
In verse 18, John is compared to Jesus in verse 19a, but neither are accepted by the religious leaders.
Wisdom Was Justified
Worldly wisdom is justified by her children, who don’t respond to God.
Scripture Reading - BPV
Mt. 11:16-19
16 “Whereas, to what shall I liken this generation?
it is like young little children in market-places, being seated and calling to their companions, 17 “and they say, ‘We played on the flute for you,
and ye did not dance, we sang a dirge to you, and ye did not beat the breast.'”
18 “For John came neither eating nor drinking,
and they say, ‘He has a demon!’
19 “the Son of Man came eating and drinking,
and they say, ‘Behold, a man, a glutton and a wine-drinker, a friend of publicans and sinners!’
But wisdom was justified by her children.”
11:20-24 Woe To These Cities
Structure
Opening (20), reproach.
Example (21-22), about Chorazin.
Example (23-24), about Capernaum.
Chorazin and Bethsaida
These two towns were not important, but they did not respond to the mighty works of Jesus.
Tyre and Sidon
Capernaum
Capernaum’s arrogancy is addressed because they did not respond to the mighty works of Jesus.
Sodom
Mighty Powers
δύναμις=dunamis means power, might, strength. The word is not conveyed easily in this verse. Many translations use mighty works, but I chose to double the meaning to mighty powers.
By the way, words like dynamite or dynamics are derived from this Greek word.
Scripture Reading - BPV
Mt. 11:20-24
20 Then He began to reproach the cities in which his most mighty powers were done, because they repented not.
21 “Woe to thee, Chorazin! Woe to thee, Bethsaida!
because if the mighty powers were done in Tyre and
Sidon that having been done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes;
22 “except I say to you, it will be more bearable for
Tyre and Sidon in a day of judgment than for you.”
23 “And you, Capernaum, that which was raised up till the heaven, shall be brought down till Hades, because if the mighty powers had been done in Sodom that having been done in thee, it would have remained up to today;
24 “except I say to you, that for the land of Sodom it
will be more bearable in a day of judgment than for thee.”
11:25-30 Revelation by the Son
Central Theme: Reveal
It is by revelation that we know anything about the Father or Son.
Wise and Sagacious Ones
The wise and sagacious ones refer to the religious leadership, whom if they had been seeking God, would have known that Jesus was of God.
Not Yet Talking
Not yet talking refers to babies, but here represent simple and humble people.
Yoke
A yoke could be symbolic of oppression, or it could be useful by making a burden easier to carry. As opposed to the yoke of the legalism of the Pharisees, Jesus’ yoke was mild or easy.
Scripture Reading - BPV
Mt. 11:25-30
25 At that season Jesus answering said, “I confess to Thee, Father, Lord of the Heaven and of the earth, that Thou hid these things from wise and sagacious ones, and revealed them to those not yet talking.
26 “Yes, Father, for so it was a satisfaction before Thee.”
27 “All things were delivered up to me by my Father. And no one knows much the Son, except the Father, nor does any one know much the Father. except the Son, and to whom if the Son may wish to reveal.”
28 “Come ye unto Me, all those toiling and having
been heavy laden, and I also will give you rest,
29 “take up my yoke upon you, and learn from Me,
because I am meek and humble in heart, and ye shall find rest for your souls,[4]
30 “for my yoke is mild, and my burden is light.”
[4] Jeremiah 6:16
12:1-14 Lord of the Sabbath
Central Theme: Lord of the Sabbath
The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath. In Him we find rest.
Sabbath
The Sabbath was the Jewish day of rest, in which work was not allowed. God had ordained the Sabbath from the beginning of Creation, and had given the commandment to remember the Sabbath by resting and not working.* Instead of the purpose of the Sabbath for rest and renewing oneself in God, the Pharisees spent time on condemning the slightest amount of work.
* Genesis 2:2-3; Exodus 20:8-11
Grainfields
Some translations use cornfields. The definition of corn is the grain of any cereal grass. However, we tend to think of maize as corn.
The Israelites did not have maize, but primarily barley and wheat.
Not Allowed on Sabbath
According to the Mishnah Shabbat 7.2, plucking ears of grain to eat, would have been considered reaping grain on the Sabbath.
Bread of the Presence
Bread of the Presence comes from the Hebrew, and is sometimes translated Shewbread. In the Old Testament, the Bread of the Presence was to be placed before the Lord continually.*
In the New Testament, ἄρτος=artos + πρόθεσις=prothesis, refers to loaves laid before.
* Exodus 25:30; Leviticus 24:5-9; Numbers 4:7
Profane the Sabbath?
Yoke
A yoke could be symbolic of oppression, or it could be useful by making a burden easier to carry. As opposed to the yoke of the legalism of the Pharisees, Jesus’ yoke was mild or easy.
Scripture Reading - BPV
Mt. 12:1-14
1 At that season Jesus went on the Sabbaths through the grainfields, and his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck ears of grain, and to eat.[5]
2 But the Pharisees having seen, said to Him, “Behold, Thy disciples do which it is not allowed to do on a
Sabbath.”
3 But He said to them, “Did ye not acknowledge
what David did, when he was hungry, himself and those with him;
4 “how he went into the house of God, and ate the
Bread of the Presence, which it was not allowed for him to eat, nor for those with him, except for the priests alone? [6]
5 “Or did ye not acknowledge in the Law, that on
that the Sabbaths, the priests in the temple do profane the Sabbath, and are guiltless?” [7]
6 “But I say to you, that a greater than
the temple is here;
7 “and if ye had known what is: ‘Mercy I,
and not sacrifice’;[8] ye would not have
condemned the guiltless,
8 “or the Son of Man is Lord of the
Sabbath.”
9 And having passed from there, He went into their synagogue,
10 and behold, there was a man having the withered hand, and they questioned Him, saying, “If it is allowed to heal on the Sabbaths?” that they might accuse Him.
11 And He said to them, “What man shall be of
you, who will have one sheep, and if this may fall
into a pit on the Sabbaths, no indeed, he will lay hold upon it and raise it up?
12 “Therefore, how much better is a man than a sheep? So as it is allowed on the Sabbaths to do well.”
13 Then He says to the man, “Stretch forth thy
hand,” and he stretched it forth, and it was restored sound as the other.
14 But the Pharisees took a council against Him, having gone forth, so that they might destroy Him.
12:15-21 God's Young Servant Chosen
Censured
A censure is an official reprimand. Apparently, Jesus was concerned how the word of Him was spreading.
Strive, Cry Aloud, Hear His Voice
Jesus is not going to strive with those who oppose Him, nor is He going to advertise Himself for show. He is humble.
Crushed Reed, Smoldering Flax
His ministry is to the weak, personified as a crushed reed or smoldering flax.
A reed is crushed with the intent to produce light.
A smoldering flax is a linen wick still burning.
Jesus would come gently to those who were over burned by life.
Judgment Into Victory
Judgment, κρίσις=κρίσις is not the same as justice.
Judgment here would be a divine sentence against the enemy that would bring victory.
Scripture Reading - BPV
Mt. 12:15-21
15 Whereas, Jesus having known, withdrew from there, and great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all,
16 and He censured them that they should not make Him manifest,
17 so that it might be fulfilled that which was poured out through Isaiah the prophet, saying, [9]
18 `Behold, My young servant, whom I choose, My beloved, in whom My soul is well pleased, I shall put My Spirit upon him, and he will announce judgment to the nations,[10]
19 He will not strive nor cry aloud, nor will any one hear his voice in the wide streets,
20 he will not break a crushed reed, and he will not quench a smoldering flax, till he would cast forth judgment into victory,
21 and the nations will hope in his name.’
12:22-37 The Unpardonable Sin
Central Theme: Blasphemy of the Spirit
Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is speaking against the works of the Holy Spirit and attributing to them as from Satan.
The context of this passage is when the Pharisees attributed the works of God as coming from Beelzebul.
Healed
This time the demon-possessed is healed, not just the demons cast out. Perhaps, the man was afflicted by demon-possession as well as being physically impaired.
Amazed
The word amazed, used only once in Matthew, is stronger than marvelled. The multitudes are wondering if Jesus is the Son of David.
Released
Released, ἀφίημι=ἀφίημι, means to send away or to forgive.
Blasphemy of the Spirit
Blasphemy of the Spirit is attributing the works of the Spirit to Satan.
Scripture Reading - BPV
Mt. 12:22-37
22 Then a demon-possessed, blind and mute, was brought to Him, and He healed him, so as the blind and mute both to speak and to see.
23 And all the multitudes were amazed, and were saying, “Is this the Son of David?”
24 But the Pharisees having heard, said, “This one does not cast out the demons, except by Beelzebul, ruler of the demons.”
25 But Jesus, knowing their considerations, said to them, “Every kingdom having been divided against
herself is desolated, and every city or house having been divided against herself will not stand,
26 “and if Satan casts out Satan, he was divided against
himself. How therefore will his kingdom stand?
27 “And if I, by Beelzebul, cast out the demons, by whom do your sons cast out? On account of this they shall be your judges.
28 “But if I, by the Spirit of God, do cast out the
demons, consequently the Kingdom of God came
first unto you.
29 “Or how is any one able to enter into the house of the strong man, and to plunder his things, except first he must bind the strong man? and then his house he will plunder.
30 “He being not with me is against me, and he not
gathering with me, scatters.”
31 “On account of this I say to you, every sin
and blasphemy shall be released to men, but that blasphemy of the Spirit shall not be released to men.
32 “And whoever would speak a word against
the Son of Man, it shall be released to him,
but whoever would speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be released to him, neither in this age, nor in the future.”
33 “Either make the tree good, and its fruit good, or
make the tree bad, and its fruit bad, for from the fruit is the tree known.
34 “Brood of vipers! How are ye able to speak
good things, being evil? For out of the abundance of the heart does the mouth speak.
35 “The good man out of the good treasure of the
heart casts forth the good things, and the evil man out of the evil treasure casts forth evil things.
36 “But I say to you, that every idle word which men
will speak, they shall give back an account about it in a day of judgment;
37 “for by thy words thou shall be justified, and by
thy words thou shall be condemned.”
12:38-45 Judgment On This Generation
Parallel: Generation
Generation, paralleled in verses 39, 41, 42, and 45, brings unity of these two passages.
A Sign
There was nothing wrong in asking for a sign for authentication, but the scribes and Pharisees were asking out of skepticism.
Jonah
Jonah, a prophet, was sent by God to Nineveh, a non-Israelite city, to proclaim their destruction. Well, Jonah decided to depart in the other direction. He ended up being swallowed up by some kind of huge fish. For three days and nights, he was in the belly of this sea monster. After Jonah repented, the huge fish vomited him out on to shore. Jonah went to Ninevah and proclaimed God’s message. The people of Ninevah repented.
Huge Fish
We don’t know what kind of huge fish, whether it was a whale or some kind of sea dragon. The latter seems more credible.
Three Days and Three Nights
Three days and three nights are not a literal full three days and three nights as we would think, but three partial days and two nights.
Here is an example of the Jewish context of time:
Acts 10: 3, Cornelius has a vision in the 9th hour of the first day.
Acts 10:9, Peter is praying in the 6th hour of the second day.
Acts 10:21-23, Cornelius’ men arrive and lodge with Peter.
Acts 10:23, Peter leaves on the third day.
Acts 10:24, Peter arrives on the fourth day.
Acts 10:30, Cornelius talks about his vision four days before. Although we may say three days ago in our own idiomatic expressions, Cornelius states four days ago, meaning four days and three nights.
Nineveh
Where is Nineveh? It was an ancient Assyrian city, mentioned after the flood in Genesis, located near modern Mosul in Iraq.
Queen of the South
The Queen of the South, another non-Israelite, was from Yemen. She travelled to hear the wisdom of Solomon, the king of Israel.
Unoccupied
Unfortunately, the house was left empty to be reoccupied. Nothing had replaced the evil spirit.
Seven Other Spirits
Seven is the number of completion. To complete entry to this clean house, seven evil spirits must invade.
Scripture Reading - BPV
Mt. 12:38-45
38 Then ones of the scribes and Pharisees answered him saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from Thee.”
39 But He answering said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and a sign shall not be given to it, except the sign of Jonah the prophet;
40 “for just as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish
three days and three nights, so shall the Son of Man
be in the heart of the earth three days and nights. [11]
41 “Men of Nineveh shall stand up in the judgment
with this generation, and shall condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and behold, a greater than Jonah here!
42 “A queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment
with this generation, and shall condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, a greater than Solomon here!”
43 “Whereas, whenever the unclean spirit should come
out from the man, it goes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find;
44 “then it says, I will turn around to my house from
where I came out; and having come, it finds him unoccupied, having been swept clean and arranged:
45 “then it goes and takes up with itself seven other
spirits more evil than itself, and having gone in they dwell there, and the last of that man becomes worse than the first; so shall it be also to this evil generation.”
[11] Jonah 1:17
12:46-50 Jesus' Family
Parallel: Mother and Brethren
Verses 46-47 paralled verse 49 by the identification of His family, physical and spiritual.
Verse 48 parallel verse 50 by Jesus’ explanation of whom his family is.
Brethren
While do know from historical writings that Jesus had older half-brothers and half-sisters from Joseph, but there is no evidence that Mary had other children. Until the 1900’s, the idea of Mary being a virgin was held by all the Orthodox churches and the Protestants.
Any close family relationships could be referred to as brothers and sisters.
Who Is?
While Jesus uses his family as an example of relationship, he is not disrespecting his family.
Do the Will of My Father
No longer will family relationships determine relationship with the Father, but doing the Father’s will.
Scripture Reading - BPV
Mt. 12:46-50
46 Whereas, He was still speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and brethren had stood without, seeking to speak to Him,
47 and someone said to Him, “Behold, Thy mother and Thy brethren stood without, seeking to speak to Thee.”
48 And He answering said to him who spoke to Him, “Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?’
49 And having stretched forth his hand towards his disciples, He said, “Behold, my mother and my brethren!
50 “for whoever would do the will of my Father
who is in the heavens, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
13:1-13:53 Teaching: Parables of the Kingdom
13:1-3 Preparing to Speak In Parables
Parable
This is the first time Matthew uses the word, parable, which can mean a comparison, an illustration, an analogy, a fictitious narrative, a by-word, or a proverb.
Sea of Galilee
Scripture Reading - BPV
Mt. 13:1-3a
1 Whereas in that day Jesus, having gone forth from the house, was seated by the sea,
2 and great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so as He having embarked into the boat to sit down, and all the multitude on the sea-shore had stood,
3 and He said to them many things in parables, saying:
13:3-23 The Parable of the Sower
Central Theme: Purpose of the Parables
The central theme, the purpose of the parables, lies between the Parable of the Sower and its explanation. The parable is a mystery, which must be understood by revelation.
Along the Way
Some seeds fell on the paths, out of the way of the good soil. Thus, they became food for the birds.
Upon the Rocky Places
Some seeds fell upon the rocks, out of the way of the good soil. Thus, they sprouted early, but not having enough roots, were dried up by the sun.
Upon the Thorns
Some seeds fell upon the thorns, out of the way of the good soil. They were choked off by the thorns.
Upon the Good Earth
Falling upon the good earth, the seeds had a potential of a good harvest.
Mysteries
Mysteries are divine secrets.
Heart, Ears, Eyes
The heart, ears, and eyes are the portals for understanding, for hearing, and for seeing the things of God.
Sown Along the Way
In verse 4, some seeds fell on the paths, out of the way of the good soil. Thus, they became food for the birds.
In verse 19, the heart lacks understanding, and is not fertile ground.
Sown Upon the Rocky Places
In verses 5-6, some seeds fell upon the rocks, out of the way of the good soil. They sprouted early, but not having enough roots, were dried up by the sun.
In verses 20-21, the heart receives the word with joy, but not deeply. Thus, the heat of oppression or persecution can destroy the very plant.
Sown Upon the Thorns
In verse 7, some seeds fell upon the thorns, out of the way of the good soil. They were choked off by the thorns.
In verse 22, the heart receives the word, but is already overrun with thorns. Thus the cares of the age and the riches choke the plant from producing fruit.
Sown Upon the Good Earth
In verse 8, falling upon the good earth, the seeds had a potential of a good harvest.
In verse 23, the heart is prepared for the word, and produces spiritual fruit.
Scripture Reading - BPV
Mt. 13:3b-23
3 “Behold, the sower went forth to sow,
4 “and in his sowing, which some indeed fell along the way, and the birds came and devoured them,
5 “and others fell upon the rocky places, where it had
not much earth, and straightway it sprang up, on account of it not to have depth of earth,
6 “and the sun having risen they were scorched up,
and on account of it not having root, it dried up,
7 “and others fell upon the thorns, and the
thorns ascended up and choked them,
8 “and others fell upon the good earth and were
giving fruit, some indeed a hundred, but some sixty, but some thirty.
9 “He having ears to hear, let him hear.”
10 And the disciples having come to Him, said, “Wherefore in parables do Thou speak to them?”
11 But he answering said to them that “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom
of the Heavens, but to those it has not been given,
12 “for whoever has, it shall be given to him,
and he shall be made to abound, and whoever has not, even what he has shall be taken away from him.
13 “On account of this, I speak to them in parables, because looking on they do not look on, and hearing they do not hear nor understand, [12]
14 “and the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled in them,
which saying, In hearing ye shall hear, and no ye may not understand, and looking on ye shall look on, and no ye may not know,
15 “for the heart of this people was made gross, and
with ears they heard with disgust, and they closed their eyes, lest they should ever see with their eyes, and they should hear with the ears, and they should understand with the heart, and should turn around, and I shall heal them.
16 “But happy are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear,
17 “for amen I say to you, that many prophets and
righteous men desired to see which ye look on, and they did not see, and to hear which ye hear, and they did not hear.”
18 “Therefore, hear ye the parable of the sower:
19 “Every one hearing the Word of the Kingdom, and
not understanding, the evil one comes, and seizes that which has been sown in his heart; this is he having been sown along the way.
20 “And that which having been sown upon the rocky
places, this is he hearing the word, and at once receiving it with joy,
21 “but he has no root in himself, but is temporary,
but oppression or persecution having happened on account of the word, straightway he is stumbled.
22 “And that which having been sown upon the thorns,
this is he hearing the word, and the care of this age and the deceit of the riches choke the word, and it becomes fruitless.
23 “And he having been sown upon the good earth:
this is he hearing the word, and understanding, who indeed bears fruit, and produces, which indeed a hundred, and which sixty, and which thirty.”
[12] Isaiah 6:9-10
13:24-43 Three Parables of Growth
Parable of the Darnels
Compares the Kingdom of the Heavens with the enemy by contrasting the darnels, the sons of the enemy, with the wheat, the sons of the Kingdom.
Having Sown Good Seed
The focus is not on the man who sowed, but the outcome of his sowing.
Darnels
Darnels or tares, are Lolium temulentum, mimics a weed, but needs human assistance to survive. Darnels are a species of rye-grass that is poisonous to man.
Notice how the master had his bondmen gather them separately from the wheat harvest. Even at that, the following year, there would be some darnels that would reappear with the next crop. Sowing darnels on an enemy was an illegal act by Roman law.
Parable of the Mustard Seed
Compares the size of the mustard seed to its growth as a plant. The birds represent the gathered nations.
A Grain of Mustard
Mustard is a garden-herb, but is not the smallest seed that exists.
Smaller...Greater
Some translations incorrectly use the words smallest or least of the seeds and greatest plants or herbs to explain the sizes. Both adjectives are comparative, and should be translated as smaller and greater.
Mustard seeds are relatively small, but as a garden-herb can grow tall. Contrasted in this parable is a small beginning resulting in a great plant.
Central Theme: Parable of the Leaven
The central theme, the Parable of the Leaven, lies central in this passage even though it is the last of the three parables. The importance of this small passage has to do with the leaven in the wheat bread, which represents Jews and Gentiles.
Leaven
The tiny amount of yeast is contrasted with its size and effect of the wheat flour. We don’t know how much leaven would have made enough bread for 100 people. Leaven was not the dried store bought variety, but was a thick wet sourdough mixture. However, my guess would be 1/4 sourdough mixture to a measurement of wheat flour. (https://myancientkitchen.wordpress.com/
2013/04/27/whole-einkorn-bread/)
Leaven is usually a Biblical symbol for the power of evil; however, during the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot) or Pentecost, the bread loaves made with leaven were waved before the Lord.
Measures
A saton was a dry Hebrew measure equaling to 1-1/2 modius. If a modius was equal to 1.98 dry gallons, then a saton was equal to 2.97 dry gallons.
Therefore, three saton measures of wheat flour equaled about 9 dry gallons.
Wheat Flour
Wheat flour, ἄλευρον=aleuron, is specifically flour of wheat. Besides, wheat has the greatest gluten content of all the grain flours that aids in rising.
Purpose of the Parables
The purpose of the Parables is to receive them by revelation from God. The disciples are learning to ask Jesus for understanding.
Prophet
Belch
To belch, ἐρεύγομαι=ereugomai, actually means to belch, to spit, to spew out, or to disgorge. The word is related to the word to pour out, which is also used in the same verse.
Parable of the Darnels Explained
Jesus explains the spiritual nature of the Parable of the darnels.
Consummation of the Age
Consummation is the completion; the end.
Stumbling-Blocks
We get the word, scandal, from σκάνδαλον=skandalon, which means a trap or snare laid for an enemy, a stumbling-block, an offence, or a scandal.
Furnace of the Fire
Darnels make a useful fuel in an oven or furnace.
Scripture Reading - BPV
Mt. 13:24-43
Parable of the Darnels
24 Another parable He put before them, saying: “The Kingdom of the Heavens was likened to a man having sown good seed in his field,
25 “but in time, men to sleep, his enemy came and
sowed darnels in the midst of the wheat, and went away.
26 “and when the grass sprouted, and produced fruit,
then the darnels also appeared.
27 “But the bondmen having come to the master of
the house, said to him, ‘lord, indeed did thou not sow good seed in thy field? therefore from where has it the darnels?’
28 “But he declared to them, ‘An enemy, a man, did
this;’ and the bondmen said to him, ‘Therefore, do thou wish that having gone forth we should gather them?’
29 “And he said, ‘No, lest gathering the darnels, ye
should root out with them the wheat,
30 “‘permit both to increase together even to the
harvest, and in the proper time of the harvest I will ask to the reapers, ‘Gather first the darnels, and bind them into bundles, to burn them down, but gather together the wheat into my storehouse.””
Parable of the Mustard Seed
31 Another parable He put before them, saying:
“The Kingdom of the Heavens is like to a grain of
mustard, which a man having taken, sowed in his field,
32 “which indeed, is the smaller of all the seeds,
but whenever it may be grown, is greater of the garden-herbs, and becomes a tree, so as the birds
of the sky to come and to lodge in its branches.”[13]
Parable of the Leaven
33 Another parable He said to them: “The Kingdom of the Heavens is like to leaven, which a woman having taken, hid in three measures of wheat flour, till all of it was leavened.”
Purpose of the Parables
34 Jesus said all these things in parables to the multitudes, and he was not speaking to them without a parable,
35 so that it might be fulfilled that having been poured out through the prophet, saying, `I will open my mouth in parables, I will belch things having been hidden from the foundation of the world.’[14]
Parable of the Darnels Explained
36 Then having sent away the multitudes, Jesus came into the house, and his disciples came to him, saying, “Point out to us the parable of the darnels of the field.”
37 And he answering said to them, “He sowing the good seed is the Son of Man,
38 “and the field is the world, and the good seed, these
are the sons of the Kingdom, and the darnels are the sons of the evil one,
39 “and the enemy having sown them is the devil, and
the harvest is a consummation of the age, and the reapers are angels.
40 “Therefore, just as the darnels are gathered, and
are burnt down with fire, so shall it be in the consummation of the age,
41 “the Son of Man shall send forth his angels, and
they shall gather out of his kingdom all the stumbling-
blocks, and those doing the lawlessness,
42 “and shall cast them into the furnace of the fire;
there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of
the teeth.[15]
43 “Then the righteous shall shine forth as the sun in
the Kingdom of their Father. He having ears to hear,
let him hear.”[16]
13:44-52 Four More Parables
Parallelism I
The Parable of the Treasure, verse 44, parallels the Parable of the Pearl, verses 45-46. In both parables, the man is willing to sell all that he has to buy something very valuable.
Parallelism II
The Parable of the Drag-Net parallels the Parable of the Darnels in which the good and the bad are sorted.
Drag-net
The use of a drag-net or seine was a much larger enterprise than the casting-net mentioned in Matthew 4:18.
The Parable of the Scribe
Sometimes referred to the Parable of the Householder, Jesus is discipling his disciples to be the scribes of the Kingdom of Heaven. They are to bring out the treasures, old and new, by teaching others.
Scripture Reading - BPV
Mt. 13:44-52
The Parable of the Treasure
44 “Again, the Kingdom of the Heavens is like to
treasure having been hidden in the field, which a man having found hid, and from his joy withdraws and sells all, as much as he has, and buys that field.”
The Parable of the Pearl
45 “Again, the Kingdom of the Heavens is like to
a merchant man, seeking beautiful pearls,
46 “but having found one very costly pearl, having
gone away, has sold all, as many as he had, and bought it.”
The Parable of the Drag-Net
47 “Again, the Kingdom of the Heavens is like to a
drag-net having been cast out into the sea, and having gathered together of every kind,
48 “which, when it was made full, having drawn up
upon the sea-shore, and having sat down, they gathered the good into vessels, and the they did cast out the rotten,49 “so shall it be in the consummation of the age,
the angels shall go forth and separate the evil from the midst of the righteous,50 “and shall cast them into the furnace of the fire.
There shall be the weeping and the gnashing of the teeth.”
The Parable of the Scribe
21 Jesus says to them, “Did ye understand all these?”
They say to Him, “Yes, Lord.”
52 And He said to them, “On account of this,
every scribe having been discipled in the Kingdom of the Heavens, is like to a man, a master of the house, who casts forth out of his treasure new and old things.”
13:53 Conclusion of the Parables
Parallel Closing
Although this verse serve as a closing passage, it parallels the opening of the Parables of the Kingdom (see Matthew 13:1-3a)
Scripture Reading - BPV
Mt. 13:53
53 And it came to pass, when Jesus completed these parables, he removed from there.