Matthew 13:38

38 the field is the world; but the good seed, be sons of the kingdom, but tares, these be evil children; [+soothly the field is the world; but the good seed, these be the sons of the realm, tares, or cockles, these be sons of the wicked;]

Matthew 13:38 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 13:38

The field is the world
That which is represented by "the field", in which the good seed is sown, is not only the land of Judea, where Christ preached in person, but the whole world, into which the apostles were afterwards sent; or the church of Christ, in the several parts of the world:

the good seed are the children of the kingdom:
they which are designed by the good seed, are such, for whom the kingdom of heaven is prepared, to whom it is bequeathed, and who are appointed to it; who are possessed of the kingdom of grace here, and are heirs of the kingdom of glory; and have both a meetness for it, and a right unto it, being the children of God by adoption, and that appearing by regeneration:

but the tares are the children of the wicked one:
the persons intended by "the tares", are such professors of religion, as both by their principles and practices, manifestly show that they are of their father the devil; they resemble and imitate him, and do his works; and plainly declare, that they were never born of God, and are in no better state, though under a profession, than openly profane and immoral persons; and are more hurtful and scandalous to the interest of Christ, than such are.

Matthew 13:38 In-Context

36 Then he let go the people, and came into an house; and his disciples came to him, and said [Then the companies left, he came into an house; and his disciples came nigh to him, saying], Expound to us the parable of the tares of the field.
37 Which answered, and said, He that soweth good seed is man's Son;
38 the field is the world; but the good seed, be sons of the kingdom, but tares, these be evil children; [+soothly the field is the world; but the good seed, these be the sons of the realm, tares, or cockles, these be sons of the wicked;]
39 the enemy that soweth them is the fiend [but the enemy that soweth them is the devil]; and the ripe corn is the ending of the world, [forsooth] the reapers be angels.
40 Therefore as tares be gathered together, and be burnt in fire [and burnt in the fire], so it shall be in the ending of the world.
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.