Matthew 13:28

28 The man answered, 'An enemy planted weeds.' The servants asked, 'Do you want us to pull up the weeds?'

Matthew 13:28 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 13:28

He said unto them, an enemy has done this
This is the answer of the householder to the question of his servants. In the Greek text it is, "an enemy man"; and is so rendered in the several versions; meaning, not that the enemy was a man; for he was the devil, as in ( Matthew 13:39 ) but it is an Hebraism; such as in ( Esther 7:6 ) , (bywaw ru vya) , "the man adversary and enemy" is this wicked Haman; and signifies a certain enemy, and one indeed that is an implacable enemy to man.

The servants said unto him, wilt thou then that we go and gather
them up?
which words express the concern of the ministers of Christ for the true members of the church, comparable to wheat, lest they should receive any damage by the ill examples, and pernicious principles of evil men among them; also their detestation and abhorrence of men of wicked lives and erroneous principles; they cannot bear them which are evil; likewise, they show great regard to the glory of God, and interest of religion, and their readiness to execute any orders Christ should give them; but not willing to proceed of themselves, ask counsel and advice of him.

Matthew 13:28 In-Context

26 Later, the wheat sprouted and the heads of grain grew, but the weeds also grew.

27 Then the man's servants came to him and said, 'You planted good seed in your field. Where did the weeds come from?'

28 The man answered, 'An enemy planted weeds.' The servants asked, 'Do you want us to pull up the weeds?'

29 The man answered, 'No, because when you pull up the weeds, you might also pull up the wheat.

30 Let the weeds and the wheat grow together until the harvest time. At harvest time I will tell the workers, "First gather the weeds and tie them together to be burned. Then gather the wheat and bring it to my barn."'"