Scripture Study: Matthew 13, Part 2

From: Young Christian: Volume 3, 1913

Matthew 13:24‑32 • 3 min. read • grade level: 6

Matthew 13:24-32²⁴Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: ²⁵But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. ²⁶But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. ²⁷So 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? ²⁸He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? ²⁹But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. ³⁰Let 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. ³¹Another 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: ³²Which 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. (Matthew 13:24‑32)

The six following parables are similitudes of the kingdom, not as set up in power, but as during the absence of the rejected King. The first three describe its outward form and are told in the hearing of the multitude (Matt. 13:2²And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. (Matthew 13:2)). The last three present it as what is precious to God in it, and are told to the disciples alone inside the house (Matt. 13:36³⁶Then 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. (Matthew 13:36)); they also get the explanation of the parable of the tares and wheat. The Lord Jesus is rejected on earth as King. The Jews in rejecting Him, condemned themselves. Now it is to be a kingdom formed by sowing the Word of God. It is not power exercised in righteousness and judgment; that will be when the kingdom appears again; now it is the Word bearing testimony to the hearts of men, and using men to spread it; but God alone can give the increase. He sends the servants and watches over the harvest.

Matthew 13:24-30²⁴Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: ²⁵But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. ²⁶But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. ²⁷So 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? ²⁸He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? ²⁹But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. ³⁰Let 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. (Matthew 13:24‑30). The parable of the tares gives a general idea of what follows the committing of the kingdom here below to the care of men. A man sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept (men should have watched), his enemy came and sowed tares. This made the field look unlike the Lord’s work; the Lord does not sow that kind of seed, but the carelessness or weakness of the servants let the enemy do his work to bring in those into the field that did not belong to the Lord. This is the evil we see in that which bears the name of Christ. The Lord Jesus and His servants sow good seed. Satan and his servants sow bad seed ̶ teachers of law; teachers trying to uplift the people without redemption or the new birth; and grievous wolves have all found an entrance into it.

Can these tares be rooted out? The servants want to try; the Master says, “no.” The mixed condition is to go on to the time of the harvest. Men who lacked spiritual discernment, could not keep the evil from entering, and were not fit to put the evil out after it had come in. So the state of the kingdom is seen here as good and evil growing together in the field ̶ another witness that everything committed to man fails.

We must take care not to confound this with Christian fellowship in the assembly. There we are distinctly told to “put away from among yourselves that wicked person” (1 Cor. 5:12-13¹²For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? ¹³But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. (1 Corinthians 5:12‑13)). It is never the duty of a Christian to have fellowship with evil. (2 Cor. 6:17-18¹⁷Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, ¹⁸And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:17‑18); 2 Tim. 2:19¹⁹Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:19)). At the time of harvest, the tares will be bound in bundles by the reapers, but the wheat will be gathered into His granary. The servants now are to let the tares alone, and to be occupied with the good. It needs greater knowledge and wisdom than men have to discern who are the Lord’s now. It is the tares that are to be bound in bundles. The Lord will take the wheat to Himself.

Matthew 13:31-32³¹Another 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: ³²Which 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. (Matthew 13:31‑32). Here we see how that out of a small seed a tree has grown. A tree in Scripture is used to symbolize a power in the world: (See Ezek. 15; 17; 31; Dan. 4). So the profession of the name of Christ has become a great power among men, and under it others find shelter, as birds under a tree.

But, alas! in truth, every kind of evil shelters itself under the profession of Christianity in the persons of men who are Satan’s servants. (2 Cor. 11:13-15¹³For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. ¹⁴And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. ¹⁵Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:13‑15)).

(To be Continued.)

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