11 He answered G611 and G1161 said G2036 unto them, G846 Because G3754 it is given G1325 unto you G5213 to know G1097 the mysteries G3466 of the kingdom G932 of heaven, G3772 but G1161 to them G1565 it is G1325 not G3756 given. G1325
But G235 as G2531 it is written, G1125 G3739 Eye G3788 hath G1492 not G3756 seen, G1492 nor G2532 G3756 ear G3775 heard, G191 neither G2532 G3756 have entered G305 into G1909 the heart G2588 of man, G444 the things which G3739 God G2316 hath prepared G2090 for them that love G25 him. G846 But G1161 God G2316 hath revealed G601 them unto us G2254 by G1223 his G846 Spirit: G4151 for G1063 the Spirit G4151 searcheth G2045 all things, G3956 yea, G2532 the deep things G899 of God. G2316
But G2532 the anointing G5545 which G3739 ye G5210 have received G2983 of G575 him G846 abideth G3306 in G1722 you, G5213 and G2532 ye need G5532 G2192 not G3756 that G2443 any man G5100 teach G1321 you: G5209 but G235 as G5613 the same G846 anointing G5545 teacheth G1321 you G5209 of G4012 all things, G3956 and G2532 is G2076 truth, G227 and G2532 is G2076 no G3756 lie, G5579 and G2532 even as G2531 it hath taught G1321 you, G5209 ye shall abide G3306 in G1722 him. G846
But G1161 the natural G5591 man G444 receiveth G1209 not G3756 the things G3588 of the Spirit G4151 of God: G2316 for G1063 they are G2076 foolishness G3472 unto him: G846 neither G2532 G3756 can G1410 he know G1097 them, because G3754 they are spiritually G4153 discerned. G350
But G1161 he said G2036 unto them, G846 All G3956 men cannot G3756 receive G5562 this G5126 saying, G3056 save G235 they to whom G3739 it is given. G1325
Now G1161 to him that is of power G1410 to stablish G4741 you G5209 according G2596 to my G3450 gospel, G2098 and G2532 the preaching G2782 of Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547 according G2596 to the revelation G602 of the mystery, G3466 which was kept secret G4601 since the world began, G5550 G166
And G2532 Jesus G2424 answered G611 and said G2036 unto him, G846 Blessed G3107 art thou, G1488 Simon G4613 Barjona: G920 for G3754 flesh G4561 and G2532 blood G129 hath G601 not G3756 revealed G601 it unto thee, G4671 but G235 my G3450 Father G3962 which G3588 is in G1722 heaven. G3772
And G2532 without controversy G3672 great G3173 is G2076 the mystery G3466 of godliness: G2150 God G2316 was manifest G5319 in G1722 the flesh, G4561 justified G1344 in G1722 the Spirit, G4151 seen G3700 of angels, G32 preached G2784 unto G1722 the Gentiles, G1484 believed on G4100 in G1722 the world, G2889 received up G353 into G1722 glory. G1391
And G1161 he said, G2036 Unto you G5213 it is given G1325 to know G1097 the mysteries G3466 of the kingdom G932 of God: G2316 but G1161 to others G3062 in G1722 parables; G3850 that G2443 seeing G991 they might G991 not G3361 see, G991 and G2532 hearing G191 they might G4920 not G3361 understand. G4920
And G2532 though G1437 I have G2192 the gift of prophecy, G4394 and G2532 understand G1492 all G3956 mysteries, G3466 and G2532 all G3956 knowledge; G1108 and G2532 though G1437 I have G2192 all G3956 faith, G4102 so G5620 that I could remove G3179 mountains, G3735 and G1161 have G2192 not G3361 charity, G26 I am G1510 nothing. G3762
Even the mystery G3466 which G3588 hath been hid G613 from G575 ages G165 and G2532 from G575 generations, G1074 but G1161 now G3570 is made manifest G5319 to his G846 saints: G40 To whom G3739 God G2316 would G2309 make known G1107 what G5101 is the riches G4149 of the glory G1391 of this G5127 mystery G3466 among G1722 the Gentiles; G1484 which G3739 is G2076 Christ G5547 in G1722 you, G5213 the hope G1680 of glory: G1391
But G2532 ye G5210 have G2192 an unction G5545 from G575 the Holy One, G40 and G2532 ye know G1492 all things. G3956
This G5124 is G2076 a great G3173 mystery: G3466 but G1161 I G1473 speak G3004 concerning G1519 Christ G5547 and G1519 G2532 the church. G1577
Do G4105 not G3361 err, G4105 my G3450 beloved G27 brethren. G80 Every G3956 good G18 gift G1394 and G2532 every G3956 perfect G5046 gift G1434 is G2076 from above, G509 and cometh down G2597 from G575 the Father G3962 of lights, G5457 with G3844 whom G3739 is G1762 no G3756 variableness, G3883 neither G2228 shadow G644 of turning. G5157 Of his own will G1014 begat he G616 us G2248 with the word G3056 of truth, G225 that G1519 we G2248 should be G1511 a kind G5100 of firstfruits G536 of his G846 creatures. G2938
Holding G2192 the mystery G3466 of the faith G4102 in G1722 a pure G2513 conscience. G4893
That G2443 their G846 hearts G2588 might be comforted, G3870 being knit together G4822 in G1722 love, G26 and G2532 unto G1519 all G3956 riches G4149 of the full assurance G4136 of understanding, G4907 to G1519 the acknowledgement G1922 of the mystery G3466 of God, G2316 and G2532 of the Father, G3962 and G2532 of Christ; G5547
And G2532 a certain G5100 woman G1135 named G3686 Lydia, G3070 a seller of purple, G4211 of the city G4172 of Thyatira, G2363 which worshipped G4576 God, G2316 heard G191 us: whose G3739 heart G2588 the Lord G2962 opened, G1272 that she attended G4337 unto the things which were spoken G2980 of G5259 Paul. G3972
And an highway H4547 shall be there, and a way, H1870 and it shall be called H7121 The way H1870 of holiness; H6944 the unclean H2931 shall not pass over H5674 it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, H1980 though fools, H191 shall not err H8582 therein.
At G1722 that G1565 time G2540 Jesus G2424 answered G611 and said, G2036 I thank G1843 thee, G4671 O Father, G3962 Lord G2962 of heaven G3772 and G2532 earth, G1093 because G3754 thou hast hid G613 these things G5023 from G575 the wise G4680 and G2532 prudent, G4908 and G2532 hast revealed G601 them G846 unto babes. G3516 Even so, G3483 Father: G3962 for G3754 so G3779 it seemed G1096 good G2107 in thy G4675 sight. G1715
And G2532 she G3592 had G2258 a sister G79 called G2564 Mary, G3137 which G3739 also G2532 sat G3869 at G3844 Jesus' G2424 feet, G4228 and heard G191 his G846 word. G3056 But G1161 Martha G3136 was cumbered G4049 about G4012 much G4183 serving, G1248 and G1161 came to him, G2186 and said, G2036 Lord, G2962 dost G3199 thou G4671 not G3756 care G3199 that G3754 my G3450 sister G79 hath left G2641 me G3165 to serve G1247 alone? G3441 bid G2036 her G846 therefore G3767 that G2443 she help G4878 me. G3427 And G1161 Jesus G2424 answered G611 and said G2036 unto her, G846 Martha, G3136 Martha, G3136 thou art careful G3309 and G2532 troubled G5182 about G4012 many things: G4183 But G1161 one thing G1520 is G2076 needful: G5532 and G1161 Mary G3137 hath chosen G1586 that good G18 part, G3310 which G3748 shall G851 not G3756 be taken away G851 from G575 her. G846
G1161 These G3778 were G2258 more noble G2104 than those in G1722 Thessalonica, G2332 in that they G3748 received G1209 the word G3056 with G3326 all G3956 readiness of mind, G4288 and searched G350 the scriptures G1124 daily, G2250 G2596 whether G1487 those things G5023 were G2192 so. G3779 Therefore G3767 G3303 many G4183 of G1537 them G846 believed; G4100 also G2532 of honourable G2158 women G1135 which G3588 were Greeks, G1674 and G2532 of men, G435 not G3756 a few. G3641
Let G3049 a man G444 so G3779 account G3049 of us, G2248 as G5613 of the ministers G5257 of Christ, G5547 and G2532 stewards G3623 of the mysteries G3466 of God. G2316
For G1063 who G5101 maketh G1252 thee G4571 to differ G1252 from another? and G1161 what G5101 hast thou G2192 that G3739 thou didst G2983 not G3756 receive? G2983 G1161 now if G1499 thou didst receive G2983 it, why G5101 dost thou glory, G2744 as G5613 if thou hadst G2983 not G3361 received G2983 it?
Behold, G2400 I shew G3004 you G5213 a mystery; G3466 We shall G2837 not G3756 all G3956 G3303 sleep, G2837 but G1161 we shall G236 all G3956 be changed, G236
Having made known G1107 unto us G2254 the mystery G3466 of his G846 will, G2307 according to G2596 his G846 good pleasure G2107 which G3739 he hath purposed G4388 in G1722 himself: G846
The eyes G3788 of your G5216 understanding G1271 being enlightened; G5461 that G1519 ye G5209 may know G1492 what G5101 is G2076 the hope G1680 of his G846 calling, G2821 and G2532 what G5101 the riches G4149 of the glory G1391 of his G846 inheritance G2817 in G1722 the saints, G40
How that G3754 by G2596 revelation G602 he made known G1107 unto me G3427 the mystery; G3466 (as G2531 I wrote afore G4270 in G1722 few words, G3641 Whereby, G4314 G3739 when ye read, G314 ye may G1410 understand G3539 my G3450 knowledge G4907 in G1722 the mystery G3466 of Christ) G5547 Which G3739 in G1722 other G2087 ages G1074 was G1107 not G3756 made known G1107 unto the sons G5207 of men, G444 as G5613 it is G601 now G3568 revealed G601 unto his G846 holy G40 apostles G652 and G2532 prophets G4396 by G1722 the Spirit; G4151 That the Gentiles G1484 should be G1511 fellowheirs, G4789 and G2532 of the same body, G4954 and G2532 partakers G4830 of his G846 promise G1860 in G1722 Christ G5547 by G1223 the gospel: G2098 Whereof G3739 I was made G1096 a minister, G1249 according G2596 to the gift G1431 of the grace G5485 of God G2316 given G1325 unto me G3427 by G2596 the effectual working G1753 of his G846 power. G1411 Unto me, G1698 who am less than the least G1647 of all G3956 saints, G40 is G1325 this G3778 grace G5485 given, G1325 that I should preach G2097 among G1722 the Gentiles G1484 the unsearchable G421 riches G4149 of Christ; G5547 And G2532 to make G5461 all G3956 men see G5461 what G5101 is the fellowship G2842 of the mystery, G3466 which G3588 from G575 the beginning of the world G165 hath been hid G613 in G1722 God, G2316 who G3588 created G2936 all things G3956 by G1223 Jesus G2424 Christ: G5547
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Matthew 13
Commentary on Matthew 13 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 13
In this chapter, we have,
Mat 13:1-23
We have here Christ preaching, and may observe,
To this question Christ answers largely, v. 11-17, where he tells them, that therefore he preached by parables, because thereby the things of God were made more plain and easy to them who were willingly ignorant; and thus the gospel would be a savour of life to some, and of death to others. A parable, like the pillar of cloud and fire, turns a dark side towards Egyptians, which confounds them, but a light side towards Israelites, which comforts them, and so answers a double intention. The same light directs the eyes of some, but dazzles the eyes of others. Now,
Now in this the scripture would be fulfilled, v. 14, 15. It is quoted from Isa. 6:9, 10. The evangelical prophet that spoke most plainly of gospel grace, foretold the contempt of it, and the consequences of that contempt. It is referred to no less than six times in the New Testament, which intimates, that in gospel times spiritual judgments would be most common, which make least noise, but are most dreadful. That which was spoken of the sinners in Isaiah's time was fulfilled in those in Christ's time, and it is still fulfilling every day; for while the wicked heart of man keeps up the same sin, the righteous hand of God inflicts the same punishment. Here is,
Note,
The parable of the sower is plain enough, v. 3-9. The exposition of it we have from Christ himself, who knew best what was his own meaning. The disciples, when they asked, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? (v. 10), intimated a desire to have the parable explained for the sake of the people; nor was it any disparagement to their own knowledge to desire it for themselves. Our Lord Jesus kindly took the hint, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the parable, directing his discourse to the disciples, but in the hearing of the multitude, for we have not the account of his dismissing them till v. 36. "Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower (v. 18); you have heard it, but let us go over it again.' Note, It is of good use, and would contribute much to our understanding the word and profiting by it, to hear over again what we have heard (Phil. 3:1); "You have heard it, but hear the interpretation of it.' Note, Then only we hear the word aright, and to good purpose, when we understand what we hear; it is no hearing at all, if it be not with understanding, Neh. 8:2. It is God's grace indeed that gives the understanding, but it is our duty to give our minds to understand.
Let us therefore compare the parable and the exposition.
Now observe the characters of these four sorts of ground.
Observe
Now what are these choking thorns?
Now that which distinguished this good ground from the rest, was, in one word, fruitfulness. By this true Christians are distinguished from hypocrites, that they bring forth the fruits of righteousness; so shall ye be my disciples, Jn. 15:8. He does not say that this good ground has no stones in it, or no thorns; but there were none that prevailed to hinder its fruitfulness. Saints, in this world, are not perfectly free from the remains of sin; but happily freed from the reign of it.
The hearers represented by the good ground are,
Mat 13:24-43
In these verses, we have,
Observe,
The disciples' request to their Master was, Declare unto us the parable of the tares. This implied an acknowledgement of their ignorance, which they were not ashamed to make. It is probable they apprehended the general scope of the parable, but they desired to understand it more particularly, and to be assured that they took it right. Note, Those are rightly disposed for Christ's teaching, that are sensible of their ignorance, and sincerely desirous to be taught. He will teach the humble (Ps. 25:8, 9), but will for this be enquired of. If any man lack instruction, let him ask it of God. Christ had expounded the foregoing parable unasked, but for the exposition of this they ask him. Note, The mercies we have received must be improved, both for direction what to pray for, and for our encouragement in prayer. The first light and the first grace are given in a preventing way, further degrees of both which must be daily prayed for.
Let us go over the particulars of the exposition of the parable.
Now concerning the sowing of the tares, observe in the parable,
In the explanation of the parable, this is gloriously represented (v. 43); Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.
Now concerning the work of the gospel, observe,
Mat 13:44-52
We have four short parables in these verses.
Note,
Mat 13:53-58
We have here Christ in his own country. He went about doing good, yet left not any place till he had finished his testimony there at that time. His own countrymen had rejected him once, yet he came to them again. Note, Christ does not take refusers at their first word, but repeats his offers to those who have often repulsed them. In this, as in other things, Christ was like his brethren; he had a natural affection to his own country; Patriam quisque amat, non quia pulchram, sed quia suam-Every one loves his country, not because it is beautiful, but because it is his own. Seneca. His treatment this time was much the same as before, scornful and spiteful. Observe,