Matthew 13
Matthew 13 is part of “Third Discourse: Parables of the Kingdom” (13) in the outline of Matthew.
Matthew 13 summary
In this chapter, we have, I. The favour which Christ did to his countrymen in preaching the kingdom of heaven to them (Mat 13:1-2). He preached to them in parables, and here gives the reason why he chose that way of instructing (Mat 13:10-17). And the evangelist gives another reason (Mat 13:34, Mat 13:35).
Read the full introduction
In this chapter, we have, I. The favour which Christ did to his countrymen in preaching the kingdom of heaven to them (Mat 13:1-2). He preached to them in parables, and here gives the reason why he chose that way of instructing (Mat 13:10-17). And the evangelist gives another reason (Mat 13:34, Mat 13:35). There are eight parables recorded in this chapter, which are designed to represent the kingdom of heaven, the method of planting the gospel kingdom in the world, and of its growth and success. The great truths and laws of that kingdom are in other scriptures laid down plainly, and without parables: but some circumstances of its beginning and progress are here laid open in parables. 1. Here is one parable to show what are the great hindrances of people's profiting by the word of the gospel, and in how many it comes short of its end, through their own folly, and that is the parable of the four sorts of ground, delivered (Mat 13:3-9). and expounded (Mat 13:18-23). 2. Here are two parables intended to show that there would be a mixture of good and bad in the gospel church, which would continue till the great separation between them in the judgment day: the parable of the tares put forth (Mat 13:24-30), and expounded at the request of the disciples (Mat 13:36-43); and that of the net cast into the sea (Mat 13:47-50). 3. Here are two parables intended to show that the gospel church should be very small at first, but that in process of time it should become a considerable body: that of the grain of mustard-seed (Mat 13:31, Mat 13:32), and that of the leaven (Mat 13:33). 4. Here are two parables intended to show that those who expect salvation by the gospel must be willing to venture all, and quit all, in the prospect of it, and that they shall be no losers by the bargain; that of the treasure hid in the field (Mat 13:44), and that of the pearl of great price (Mat 13:45, Mat 13:46). 5. Here is one parable intended for direction to the disciples, to make use of the instructions he had given them for the benefit of others; and that is the parable of the good householder (Mat 13:51, Mat 13:52). II. The contempt which his countrymen put upon him on account of the meanness of his parentage (Mat 13:53-58).
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew 13 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
The Parable of the Sower
1The same day went Iesus out of the house, and sate by the sea side. 2And great multitudes resorted vnto him, so that he went into a ship, and sate downe: and the whole multitude stoode on the shore. 3Then he spake many things to them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sowe. 4And as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the foules came and deuoured them vp. 5And some fell vpon stony grounde, where they had not much earth, and anon they sprong vp, because they had no depth of earth. 6And when the sunne was vp, they were parched, and for lacke of rooting, withered away. 7And some fell among thornes, and the thornes sprong vp, and choked them. 8Some againe fel in good ground, and brought forth fruite, one corne an hundreth folde, some sixtie folde, and another thirtie folde. 9He that hath eares to heare, let him heare.
The Purpose of Parables
10Then the disciples came, and said to him, Why speakest thou to them in parables? 11And he answered, and said vnto them, Because it is giuen vnto you, to know the secretes of the kingdome of heauen, but to the it is not giue. 12For whosoeuer hath, to him shalbe giuen, and he shall haue abundance: but whosoeuer hath not, from him shalbe taken away, euen that he hath. 13Therefore speake I to them in parables, because they seeing, doe not see: and hearing, they heare not, neither vnderstand. 14So in them is fulfilled the prophecie of Esaias, which prophecie saieth, By hearing, ye shall heare, and shall not vnderstand, and seeing, ye shall see, and shall not perceiue. 15For this peoples heart is waxed fat, and their eares are dull of hearing, and with their eyes they haue winked, lest they should see with their eyes, and heare with their eares, and should vnderstand with their hearts, and should returne, that I might heale them. 16But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your eares, for they heare. 17For verely I say vnto you, that many Prophets, and righteous men haue desired to see those things which ye see, and haue not seene them, and to heare those things which ye heare, and haue not heard them.
The Parable of the Sower Explained
18Heare ye therefore ye parable of ye sower. 19Whensoeuer any man heareth the woorde of that kingdome, and vnderstandeth it not, that euil one commeth, and catcheth away that which was sowen in his heart: and this is he which hath receiued the seede by the way side. 20And hee that receiued seede in the stonie grounde, is he which heareth the woorde, and incontinently with ioy receiueth it, 21Yet hath he no roote in himselfe, and dureth but a season: for assoone as tribulation or persecution commeth because of the woorde, by and by he is offended. 22And hee that receiued the seede among thornes, is hee that heareth the woorde: but the care of this worlde, and the deceitfulnesse of riches choke the word, and he is made vnfruitfull. 23But he that receiued the seede in the good ground, is he that heareth the worde, and vnderstandeth it, which also beareth fruite, and bringeth foorth, some an hundreth folde, some sixtie folde, and some thirtie folde.
The Parable of the Weeds
24Another parable put hee foorth vnto them, saying, The kingdome of heauen is like vnto a man which sowed good seede in his fielde. 25But while men slept, there came his enemie, and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his waie. 26And when the blade was sprong vp, and brought forth fruite, then appeared the tares also. 27Then came the seruaunts of the housholder, and sayd vnto him, Master, sowedst not thou good seede in thy fielde? from whence then hath it tares? 28And hee said to them, Some enuious man hath done this. Then the seruants saide vnto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them vp? 29But he saide, Nay, lest while yee goe about to gather the tares, yee plucke vp also with them the wheat. 30Let both growe together vntill the haruest, and in time of haruest I will say to the reapers, Gather yee first the tares, and binde them in sheaues to burne them: but gather the wheate into my barne.
The Parables of the Mustard Seed and Leaven
31Another parable he put foorth vnto them, saying, The kingdome of heauen is like vnto a graine of mustard seede, which a man taketh and soweth in his fielde: 32Which in deede is the least of all seedes: but when it is growen, it is the greatest among herbes, and it is a tree, so that the birdes of heauen come and builde in the branches thereof. 33Another parable spake hee to them, The kingdome of heauen is like vnto leauen, which a woman taketh and hideth in three pecks of meale, till all be leauened. 34All these thinges spake Iesus vnto the multitude in parables, and without parables spake he not to them, 35That it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the Prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables, and will vtter the thinges which haue beene kept secrete from the foundation of the worlde.
The Parable of the Weeds Explained
36Then sent Iesus the multitude away, and went into the house. And his disciples came vnto him, saying, Declare vnto vs the parable of the tares of that fielde. 37Then answered he, and saide to them, He that soweth the good seede, is the Sonne of man. 38And the field is the worlde, and the good seede are the children of the kingdome, and the tares are the children of that wicked one. 39And the enemie that soweth them, is the deuill, and the haruest is the end of the worlde, and the reapers be the Angels. 40As then the tares are gathered and burned in ye fire, so shall it be in the end of this world. 41The Sonne of man shall send forth his Angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which doe iniquitie, 42And shall cast them into a fornace of fire. There shalbe wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43Then shall the iust men shine as ye sunne in the kingdome of their Father. Hee that hath eares to heare, let him heare.
The Parables of Hidden Treasure and the Pearl
44Againe, the kingdom of heauen is like vnto a treasure hid in ye field, which when a man hath found, he hideth it, and for ioy thereof departeth and selleth all that he hath, and buieth that field. 45Againe, the kingdome of heauen is like to a marchant man, that seeketh good pearles, 46Who hauing found a pearle of great price, went and solde all that he had, and bought it.
The Parable of the Net
47Againe, the kingdom of heauen is like vnto a drawe net cast into the sea, that gathereth of all kindes of things. 48Which, when it is full, men draw to lande, and sit and gather the good into vessels, and cast the bad away. 49So shall it be at the end of the world. The Angels shall goe foorth, and seuer the bad from among the iust, 50And shall cast them into a fornace of fire: there shalbe wailing, and gnashing of teeth. 51Iesus saide vnto them, Vnderstand yee all these things? They saide vnto him, Yea, Lord. 52Then sayd hee vnto them, Therefore euery Scribe which is taught vnto the kingdome of heauen, is like vnto an householder, which bringeth foorth out of his treasure things both newe and olde.
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
53And it came to passe, that when Iesus had ended these parables, he departed thence, 54And came into his owne countrey, and taught them in their Synagogue, so that they were astonied, and saide, Whence commeth this wisdome and great woorkes vnto this man? 55Is not this the carpenters sonne? Is not his mother called Marie, and his brethren Iames and Ioses, and Simon and Iudas? 56And are not his sisters all with vs? Whence then hath he all these things? 57And they were offended with him. Then Iesus said to them, A Prophet is not without honour, saue in his owne countrey, and in his owne house. 58And he did not many great woorkes there, for their vnbeliefes sake.