Matthew 13:36

Contemporary English Version

After Jesus left the crowd and went inside, his disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the story about the weeds in the wheat field."

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Then he left the crowds and went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”

King James Version (1611)
Then Iesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came vnto him, saying, Declare vnto vs the parable of the tares of the field.

King James Version
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.

English Standard Version
Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field."

New American Standard Bible
Then He left the crowds and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field."

New Century Version
Then Jesus left the crowd and went into the house. His followers came to him and said, "Explain to us the meaning of the story about the weeds in the field."

Amplified Bible
Then He left the crowds and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him saying, "Explain [clearly] to us the parable of the weeds in the field."

Geneva Bible (1587)
Then 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.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Then He left the crowds and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field."

Legacy Standard Bible
Then He left the crowds and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field."

Berean Standard Bible
Then Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples came to Him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."

Complete Jewish Bible
Then he left the crowds and went into the house. His talmidim approached him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."

Darby Translation
Then, having dismissed the crowds, he went into the house; and his disciples came to him, saying, Expound to us the parable of the darnel of the field.

Easy-to-Read Version
Then Jesus left the people and went into the house. His followers came to him and said, "Explain to us the meaning of the story about the weeds in the field."

George Lamsa Translation
Then Jesus left the multitudes and came into the house; and his disciples came up to him, and said, Explain to us the parable of the tares and the field.

Good News Translation
When Jesus had left the crowd and gone indoors, his disciples came to him and said, "Tell us what the parable about the weeds in the field means."

Lexham English Bible
Then he left the crowds and came into the house, and his disciples came to him saying, "Explain the parable of the darnel in the field to us."

Literal Translation
Then sending away the crowds, Jesus came into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, Explain to us the parable of the darnel of the field.

American Standard Version
Then he left the multitudes, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Explain unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

Bible in Basic English
Then he went away from the people, and went into the house; and his disciples came to him, saying, Make clear to us the story of the evil plants in the field.

Hebrew Names Version
Then Yeshua sent the multitudes away, and went into the house. His talmidim came to him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the darnel of the field."

International Standard Version
Then Jesushe">[fn] left the crowds and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable about the weeds in the field."

Etheridge Translation
Then Jeshu dismissed the multitudes, and came into the house; and his disciples drew near him, and said to him, Expound to us the comparison of the zizania of the field.

Murdock Translation
Then Jesus sent away the multitudes, and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, and said: Explain to us the similitude of the tares and the field.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Then Iesus sent the people away, & went into the house: And his disciples came vnto hym, saying: Declare vnto vs the parable of the tares of the fielde.

English Revised Version
Then he left the multitudes, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Explain unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

World English Bible
Then Jesus sent the multitudes away, and went into the house. His disciples came to him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the darnel of the field."

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Then Jesus having sent the multitude away, went into the house: and his disciples came to him, saying, Declare to us the parable of the darnel of the field.

Weymouth's New Testament
When He had dismissed the people and had returned to the house, His disciples came to Him with the request, "Explain to us the parable of the darnel sown in the field."

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Thanne he lefte the puple, and cam in to an hous; and hise disciplis camen to him, and seiden, Expowne to vs the parable of taris of the feeld.

Update Bible Version
Then he left the multitudes, and went into the house: and his disciples came to him, saying, Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came to him, saying, Declare to us the parable of the tares of the field.

New English Translation
Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."

New King James Version
Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field."

New Living Translation
Then, leaving the crowds outside, Jesus went into the house. His disciples said, "Please explain to us the story of the weeds in the field."

New Life Bible
After Jesus sent the people away, He went into the house. His followers came to Him and said, "Tell us what You mean by the picture-story of the weeds in the field."

New Revised Standard
Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field."

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then, dismissing the multitudes, he went into the house, and his disciples came near to him, saying - Make quite plain to us the parable of the darnel of the field.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Then having sent away the multitudes, he came into the house, and his disciples came to him, saying: Expound to us the parable of the cockle of the field.

Revised Standard Version
Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field."

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Then sent Iesus ye people awaye and came to housse. And his disciples came vnto him sayinge: declare vnto vs the similitude of the tares of the felde.

Young's Literal Translation
Then having let away the multitudes, Jesus came to the house, and his disciples came near to him, saying, `Explain to us the simile of the darnel of the field.'

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Then sent Iesus the people awaye, and came home. And his disciples came vnto hi, and sayde: Declare vnto us ye parable of ye tares of ye felde.

Mace New Testament (1729)
Then Jesus leaving the multitude, went into the house: and his disciples coming to him, said, explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.

THE MESSAGE
Jesus dismissed the congregation and went into the house. His disciples came in and said, "Explain to us that story of the thistles in the field."

Simplified Cowboy Version
Jesus left the day workers outside and went into the bunkhouse with his cowboys. They sat down on the bunks and asked him to explain the story about the registered cattle and the cull bull.

Contextual Overview

²⁴ Jesus then told them this story: The kingdom of heaven is like what happened when a farmer scattered good seed in a field. ²⁵ But while everyone was sleeping, an enemy came and scattered weed seeds in the field and then left. ²⁶ When the plants came up and began to ripen, the farmer's servants could see the weeds. ²⁷ The servants came and asked, "Sir, didn't you scatter good seed in your field? Where did these weeds come from?" ²⁸ "An enemy did this," he replied. His servants then asked, "Do you want us to go out and pull up the weeds?" ²⁹ "No!" he answered. "You might also pull up the wheat. ³⁰ Leave the weeds alone until harvest time. Then I'll tell my workers to gather the weeds and tie them up and burn them. But I'll have them store the wheat in my barn." ³¹ Jesus told them another story: The kingdom of heaven is like what happens when a farmer plants a mustard seed in a field. ³² Although it is the smallest of all seeds, it grows larger than any garden plant and becomes a tree. Birds even come and nest on its branches. ³³ Jesus also said: The kingdom of heaven is like what happens when a woman mixes a little yeast into three big batches of flour. Finally, all the dough rises.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Jesus: Matthew 14:22, Matthew 15:39, Mark 6:45, Mark 8:9

and went: Matthew 13:1, Matthew 9:28, Mark 4:34

Declare: Matthew 13:11, Matthew 15:15, Matthew 15:16, Mark 7:17, John 16:17-20

Reciprocal: Daniel 8:15 - sought Zechariah 4:4 - What Matthew 24:3 - the disciples Mark 4:10 - General Mark 9:28 - asked Mark 13:3 - privately Luke 8:9 - What Acts 8:34 - of whom 1 Corinthians 3:9 - ye are God's

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Then Jesus sent the multitude away,.... That his disciples might have the opportunity of conversing with him alone, about the sense of the parables he had delivered; and that he might instruct them by some others hereafter mentioned.

And went into the house: left the ship in which he had been preaching to the multitude, came on shore, and returned to the house he came out of, Matthew 13:1

and his disciples came to him; and being alone, make an humble request to him,

saying, declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field: by which they mean, not a rehearsal of it, but an explication of the sense and meaning of it: they ask nothing about the parables of the mustard seed and leaven, either because they better understood them; or because there were some things very remarkable and striking in this, which made them very desirous to be particularly informed of the several parts of it, and their meaning.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Declare unto us - That is, explain the meaning of the parable. This was done in so plain a manner as to render comment unnecessary. The Son of man, the Lord Jesus, sows the good seed - that is, preaches the gospel. This he did personally, and does now by his ministers, his providence, and his Spirit, by all the means of conveying “truth” to the mind. This seed was, by various means, to be carried over all the world. It was to be confined to no particular nation or people. The good seed was the children of the kingdom; that is, of the kingdom of God, or Christians. For these the Saviour toiled and died. They are the fruit of his labors. Yet amid them were wicked people; and all hypocrites and unbelievers in the church are the work of Satan. Yet they must remain together until the end, when they shall be separated, and the righteous saved and the wicked lost. The one shall shine clear as the sun, the other be cast into a furnace of fire - a most expressive image of suffering.

We have no idea of more acute suffering than to be thrown into the fire, and to have our bodies made capable of bearing the burning heat, and living on m this burning heat forever and forever. It is not certain that our Saviour meant to teach here that hell is made up of “material” fire; but it is certain that he meant to teach that this would be a proper “representation” of the sufferings of the lost. We may be further assured that the Redeemer would not deceive us, or use words to torment and tantalize us. He would not talk of hell-fire which had no existence, nor would the Saviour of people hold out frightful images merely to terrify mankind. If he has spoken of hell, then there is a hell. If he meant to say that the wicked shall suffer, then they will suffer. If he did not mean to deceive mankind, then there is a hell, and then the wicked will be punished. The impenitent, therefore, should be alarmed. And the righteous, however much wickedness they may see, and however many hypocrites there may be in the church, should be cheered with the prospect that soon the just will be separated from the unjust, and that they shall shine as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 36. Jesus - went into the house: and his disciples came — Circumstances of this kind should not pass unnoticed: they are instructive and important. Those who attend only to the public preaching of the Gospel of God are not likely to understand fully the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. To understand clearly the purport of the Divine message, a man must come to God by frequent, fervent, secret prayer. It is thus that the word of God sinks into the heart, is watered, and brings forth much fruit.

Declare (φρασον, explain) unto us the parable of the tares of the field. — To what has already been spoken on this parable, the following general exposition may be deemed a necessary appendage: -

I. What is the cause of EVIL in the world?

1. We must allow that God, who is infinite in holiness, purity, and goodness, could not have done it. Nothing can produce what is not in itself. This is a maxim which every man subscribes to: God then could not have produced sin, forasmuch as his nature is infinite goodness and holiness. He made man at first in his own image, a transcript of his own purity: and, since sin entered into the world, He has done every thing consistent with his own perfections, and the freedom of the human mind, to drive it out, and to make and keep man holy.

2. After a thousand volumes are written on the origin of evil, we shall just know as much of it as Christ has told us here - An enemy hath done it, and this enemy is the devil, Matthew 13:39.

1. This enemy is represented as a deceitful enemy: a friend in appearance, soliciting to sin, by pleasure, honour, riches, c.

2. A vigilant enemy. While men sleep he watches, Matthew 13:25.

3. A hidden or secret enemy. After having sown his seed, he disappears, Matthew 13:25. Did he appear as himself, few would receive solicitations to sin but he is seldom discovered in evil thoughts, unholy desires, flattering discourses, bad books, c.

II. Why was evil permitted to enter into the world?

1. There are doubtless sufficient reasons in the Divine Mind for its permission which, connected with his infinite essence, and extending to eternity, are not only unfathomable by us, but also, from their nature, incommunicable to men.

2. But it may be justly said, that hereby many attributes of the Divine Nature become manifest, which otherwise could not have been known; such as mercy, compassion, long-suffering, c. All of which endear the Deity to men, and perfect the felicity of those who are saved.

III. But why does he suffer this mixture of the good and bad seed now?

1. Because of the necessary dependence of one part of the creation on the other. Were the wicked all rooted up, society must fail - the earth be nearly desolated - noxious things greatly multiplied - and the small remnant of the godly, not being able to stand against the onsets of wild beasts, c., must soon be extirpated and then adieu to the economy of grace!

2. Did not the wicked exist, there would be no room for the exercise of many of the graces of the Spirit, on which our spiritual perfection greatly depends.

3. Nor could the grace of God be so manifest in supporting and saving the righteous and consequently could not have that honour which now it justly claims.

4. Were not this evil tolerated, how could the wicked be converted? The bastard wheat, by being transplanted to a better soil, may become good wheat; so sinners may be engrafted in Christ, and become sons of God through faith in his name; for the longsuffering of God leads multitudes to repentance.

IV. Observe the end of the present state of things:

1. The wicked shall be punished, and the righteous rewarded.

The wicked are termed bastard - wheat - the children of the wicked one, Matthew 13:38, the very seed of the serpent.

Observe the place in which the wicked shall be punished, - a FURNACE. The instrument of this punishment, FIRE. This is an allusion to the punishment inflicted only on those supposed to be the very worst of criminals. See Daniel 3:6. They were cast into a burning fiery furnace. The effect of it, DESPAIR; weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth, Matthew 13:42.

2. Observe the character and state of the righteous:

1. They are the children of the kingdom, a seed of God's sowing, Matthew 13:38.

2. As to their persons, they shall be like the sun.

3. The place of their felicity shall be the kingdom of heaven: and,

4. The object of it, GOD In the relation of FATHER, Matthew 13:43. This is a reference to Daniel 12:2-3.

Some learned men are of opinion that the whole of this parable refers to the Jewish state and people; and that the words συντελεια του αιωνος, which are commonly translated the end of the world, should be rendered the end of the age, viz. the end of the Jewish polity. That the words have this meaning in other places there can be no doubt; and this may be their primary meaning here; but there are other matters in the parable which agree far better with the consummation of all things than with the end of the Jewish dispensation and polity. See on Mark 4:29.