The sower and the hearers
Matthew 13:1–23FocusReceiving the word
Connection to the wholeThe parable and explanation make differing responses to the kingdom's word central to understanding the discourse.
interpretation Matthew 13:41
KJVThe Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
Read it in context
Parables of the Kingdom
Start reading at Matthew 13:1 (Matthew 13:1 to Matthew 13:52).
The entire chapter 13 is dedicated to Jesus teaching parables about the kingdom of heaven, including the explanation of the Parable of the Tares to which this verse belongs.
- 13:1 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.
- 13:2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
- 13:3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
- 13:4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
- 13:5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
- 13:6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
- 13:7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
- 13:8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
- 13:9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
- 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
- 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
- 13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
- 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
- 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
- 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
- 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
- 13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
- 13:18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
- 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
- 13:20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
- 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
- 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
- 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
- 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
- 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
- 13:26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
- 13:27 So 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?
- 13:28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
- 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
- 13:30 Let 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.
- 13:31 Another 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:
- 13:32 Which 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.
- 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
- 13:34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:
- 13:35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
- 13:36 Then 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.
- 13:37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
- 13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
- 13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
- 13:40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
- 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
- 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
- 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
- 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
- 13:45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
- 13:46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
- 13:47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
- 13:48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
- 13:49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
- 13:50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
- 13:51 Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.
- 13:52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Matthew the apostle and tax collector is the author named by early church tradition. This is the historic attribution, not a personal signature in the Gospel. Biblical references: Matthew 9:9; Matthew 10:3. Historical source: Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1; Anchor Bible Dictionary, Matthew, Gospel of. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Matthew 13:1–13:58): Jesus teaches the crowds in parables and explains their meaning privately to His disciples; the chapter ends with the response in His own country. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? A Christian readership deeply familiar with Israel's Scriptures, commonly understood as substantially Jewish in background but also concerned with the Gentile mission. A particular congregation or city is not certain. Biblical references: Matthew 1:1; Matthew 5:17; Matthew 28:19. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Matthew, Gospel of. book background
What
- What is the main event or theme? The main event described is a future judgment where the Son of man will send His angels to remove all sources of offense and those who practice lawlessness from His kingdom. This is part of the explanation of the Parable of the Tares, signifying the ultimate separation of the wicked from the righteous at the end of the world.
- What is God revealing? God is revealing His ultimate justice and sovereignty through the Son of man. He will purify His kingdom by removing all that offends and all who do iniquity, demonstrating that there will be a final reckoning and separation of good and evil.
- What is the literary style? This verse is part of a direct explanation of a parable, specifically the Parable of the Tares. The style is declarative and interpretive, clarifying the symbolic elements of the parable.
When
- When was it written? The Gospel of Matthew was written between approximately A.D. 50 and 70. book background
- When does the event take place? The event described, the gathering of those who offend and do iniquity, takes place at 'the end of the world,' which is referred to as 'the harvest' in the parable's explanation. stated in the text
Where
- Where did it happen? Jesus spoke these words to His disciples 'into the house' after sending the multitude away. The events described (the gathering by angels) will occur universally 'out of his kingdom,' which is identified as 'the world' in the parable's explanation. stated in the text
- Where was the author located? The author, Matthew, was likely located in Judea or Antioch when writing this Gospel. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Parables of the Kingdom (Matthew 13:1 to Matthew 13:52). Start reading at Matthew 13:1. The entire chapter 13 is dedicated to Jesus teaching parables about the kingdom of heaven, including the explanation of the Parable of the Tares to which this verse belongs.
How
- How does it fit the broader context? This verse is central to Jesus' explanation of the Parable of the Tares, detailing the specific action of judgment at the harvest. It clarifies who performs the separation (the Son of man's angels) and what is removed (all things that offend and those who do iniquity), leading directly into the consequence of their removal in the following verse. It is part of a larger discourse of parables about the kingdom of heaven, emphasizing its ultimate purification and the separation of the righteous from the wicked. stated in the text
- How does it point to Christ? The passage explicitly states that 'The Son of man shall send forth his angels' to execute this judgment. This highlights Jesus' (the Son of man's) supreme authority and sovereign role as the judge and administrator of His kingdom. It points to Him as the one who will ultimately purify His kingdom and bring about the final separation of good and evil. stated in the text
- How do I apply it today? This passage serves as a solemn warning and an encouragement. It warns against being 'things that offend' or 'them which do iniquity,' reminding believers of the coming judgment and separation. It encourages faithfulness and righteous living, knowing that God, through the Son of man, will ultimately purify His kingdom and separate the wicked from the just. interpretation
Cited: Matthew 13:36, Matthew 13:37, Matthew 13:38, Matthew 13:39, Matthew 13:40, Matthew 13:41, Matthew 13:42
Who wrote it, and how we know
Matthew (Levi), the apostle
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author.
Early traditionEarly church testimony names Matthew the apostle, notably Papias in the early second century and Irenaeus later.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text. The titles were attached early but are not part of the original writing.
Related passages
- The son Matt 24:31 Mark 13:27 Heb 1:6-7,14 Rev 5:11-12
- and they Matt 13:49 Matt 18:7 Rom 16:17-18 2 Pet 2:1-2
- and them Matt 7:22-23 Luke 13:26-27 Rom 2:8-9,16 Rev 21:27
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Matthew 13
This Gospel presents Jesus in relation to Israel's Scriptures and follows His teaching, death, resurrection, and commission. It does not name a specific original recipient. Read individual sayings within their narrative and discourse settings.
Matthew 1:1 Matthew 28:18 Matthew 28:19 Matthew 28:20
FocusWheat, tares, and kingdom growth
Connection to the wholeFurther parables describe the kingdom's present conditions and future judgment without making human appearance the final measure.
interpretation Value, judgment, and understanding
Matthew 13:44–52FocusTreasure and the net
Connection to the wholeThe treasure, pearl, and net stress the kingdom's worth and coming separation; the discourse closes by addressing instructed understanding.
interpretation Rejection at home
Matthew 13:53–58FocusFamiliarity and unbelief
Connection to the wholeThe return to Jesus' own country gives a narrative example of the unbelief the preceding teaching has explored.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Matthew
This Gospel presents Jesus in relation to Israel's Scriptures and follows His teaching, death, resurrection, and commission. It does not name a specific original recipient. Read individual sayings within their narrative and discourse settings.
Matthew 1:1 Matthew 28:18 Matthew 28:19 Matthew 28:20
The promised Messiah introduced
Matthew 1:1–4:16FocusOrigins and preparation
Connection to the wholeThe genealogy, birth, baptism, and temptation establish Jesus' identity and mission before His public preaching expands.
interpretation The kingdom proclaimed
Matthew 4:17–7:29FocusMinistry and the mountain discourse
Connection to the wholeJesus announces the kingdom, calls disciples, and teaches the righteousness and obedience that characterize His hearers' response.
interpretation Authority and mission
Matthew 8:1–10:42FocusWorks of mercy and sent disciples
Connection to the wholeHealings and other mighty works display Jesus' authority; He then commissions disciples and prepares them for opposition.
interpretation FocusOpposition, revelation, and parables
Connection to the wholeContrasting responses to Jesus lead into parables that explain hearing, growth, judgment, and the kingdom's value.
interpretation Following the Messiah
Matthew 14:1–18:35FocusIdentity, suffering, and community
Connection to the wholeJesus teaches disciples about His coming suffering and about humility, care for others, correction, and forgiveness.
interpretation Jerusalem and accountability
Matthew 19:1–25:46FocusConflict, judgment, and watchfulness
Connection to the wholeThe journey to Jerusalem and temple disputes lead into warnings about judgment and the need for faithful readiness.
interpretation Death, resurrection, and commission
Matthew 26:1–28:20FocusThe crucified and risen Lord
Connection to the wholeJesus' passion and resurrection bring the narrative to the commission to teach all nations and obey His commands.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.