Matthew 13:36-43
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
The Explanation of the Parable of the Weeds. 36 Then, dismissing the crowds,[a] he went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” 37 [b]He said in reply, “He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, 38 the field is the world,[c] the good seed the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age,[d] and the harvesters are angels. 40 Just as weeds are collected and burned [up] with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom[e] all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. 42 (A)They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. 43 [f](B)Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear.
More Parables.[g]
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- 13:36 Dismissing the crowds: the return of Jesus to the house marks a break with the crowds, who represent unbelieving Israel. From now on his attention is directed more and more to his disciples and to their instruction. The rest of the discourse is addressed to them alone.
- 13:37–43 In the explanation of the parable of the weeds emphasis lies on the fearful end of the wicked, whereas the parable itself concentrates on patience with them until judgment time.
- 13:38 The field is the world: this presupposes the resurrection of Jesus and the granting to him of “all power in heaven and on earth” (Mt 28:18).
- 13:39 The end of the age: this phrase is found only in Matthew (13:40, 49; 24:3; 28:20).
- 13:41 His kingdom: the kingdom of the Son of Man is distinguished from that of the Father (Mt 13:43); see 1 Cor 15:24–25. The church is the place where Jesus’ kingdom is manifested, but his royal authority embraces the entire world; see note on Mt 13:38.
- 13:43 See Dn 12:3.
- 13:44–50 The first two of the last three parables of the discourse have the same point. The person who finds a buried treasure and the merchant who finds a pearl of great price sell all that they have to acquire these finds; similarly, the one who understands the supreme value of the kingdom gives up whatever he must to obtain it. The joy with which this is done is made explicit in the first parable, but it may be presumed in the second also. The concluding parable of the fishnet resembles the explanation of the parable of the weeds with its stress upon the final exclusion of evil persons from the kingdom.
Acts 20:29
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock.(A)
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Galatians 5:10
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
10 I am confident of you in the Lord that you will not take a different view, and that the one who is troubling you will bear the condemnation, whoever he may be.(A)
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2 Peter 2:1
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
III. Condemnation of the False Teachers
Chapter 2
False Teachers.[a] 1 There were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will introduce destructive heresies and even deny the Master who ransomed them, bringing swift destruction on themselves.(A)
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Revelation 22:11
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
11 Let the wicked still act wickedly, and the filthy still be filthy. The righteous must still do right, and the holy still be holy.”
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