38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one,
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;
38 The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one,
38 The field is the world, the pure seeds are subjects of the kingdom, the thistles are subjects of the Devil,
38 The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one.
38 The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one.
15 "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!"
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
15 "Time's up! God's kingdom is here. Change your life and believe the Message."
15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."
15 "The time promised by God has come at last!" he announced. "The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!"
(Read Mark 1:14-22)
Jesus began to preach in Galilee, after that John was put in prison. If some be laid aside, others shall be raised up, to carry on the same work. Observe the great truths Christ preached. By repentance we give glory to our Creator whom we have offended; by faith we give glory to our Redeemer who came to save us from our sins. Christ has joined these two together, and let no man think to put them asunder. Christ puts honour upon those who, though mean in this world, are diligent in their business and kind to one another. Industry and unity are good and pleasant, and the Lord Jesus commands a blessing on them. Those whom Christ calls, must leave all to follow him; and by his grace he makes them willing to do so. Not that we must needs go out of the world, but we must sit loose to the world; forsake every thing that is against our duty to Christ, and that cannot be kept without hurt to our souls. Jesus strictly kept the sabbath day, by applying himself unto, and abounding in the sabbath work, in order to which the sabbath rest was appointed. There is much in the doctrine of Christ that is astonishing; and the more we hear it, the more cause we see to admire it.
21 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.
21 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
21 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
21 About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire.
21 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
21 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.
(Read Luke 2:1-7)
The fulness of time was now come, when God would send forth his Son, made of a woman, and made under the law. The circumstances of his birth were very mean. Christ was born at an inn; he came into the world to sojourn here for awhile, as at an inn, and to teach us to do likewise. We are become by sin like an outcast infant, helpless and forlorn; and such a one was Christ. He well knew how unwilling we are to be meanly lodged, clothed, or fed; how we desire to have our children decorated and indulged; how apt the poor are to envy the rich, and how prone the rich to disdain the poor. But when we by faith view the Son of God being made man and lying in a manger, our vanity, ambition, and envy are checked. We cannot, with this object rightly before us, seek great things for ourselves or our children.
4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,
4 But when the time arrived that was set by God the Father, God sent his Son, born among us of a woman, born under the conditions of the law so that he might redeem those of us who have been kidnapped by the law.
4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.
(Read Galatians 4:1-7)
The apostle deals plainly with those who urged the law of Moses together with the gospel of Christ, and endeavoured to bring believers under its bondage. They could not fully understand the meaning of the law as given by Moses. And as that was a dispensation of darkness, so of bondage; they were tied to many burdensome rites and observances, by which they were taught and kept subject like a child under tutors and governors. We learn the happier state of Christians under the gospel dispensation. From these verses see the wonders of Divine love and mercy; particularly of God the Father, in sending his Son into the world to redeem and save us; of the Son of God, in submitting so low, and suffering so much for us; and of the Holy Spirit, in condescending to dwell in the hearts of believers, for such gracious purposes. Also, the advantages Christians enjoy under the gospel. Although by nature children of wrath and disobedience, they become by grace children of love, and partake of the nature of the children of God; for he will have all his children resemble him. Among men the eldest son is heir; but all God's children shall have the inheritance of eldest sons. May the temper and conduct of sons ever show our adoption; and may the Holy Spirit witness with our spirits that we are children and heirs of God.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 13:38
Commentary on Matthew 13:36-52
(Read Matthew 13:36-52)
Here are four parables. 1. That of the treasure hid in the field. Many slight the gospel, because they look only upon the surface of the field. But all who search the Scriptures, so as in them to find Christ and eternal life, John 5:39, will discover such treasure in this field as makes it unspeakably valuable; they make it their own upon any terms. Though nothing can be given as a price for this salvation, yet much must be given up for the sake of it. 2. All the children of men are busy; one would be rich, another would be honourable, another would be learned; but most are deceived, and take up with counterfeits for pearls. Jesus Christ is a Pearl of great price; in having him, we have enough to make us happy here and for ever. A man may buy gold too dear, but not this Pearl of great price. When the convinced sinner sees Christ as the gracious Saviour, all things else become worthless to his thoughts. 3. The world is a vast sea, and men, in their natural state, are like the fishes. Preaching the gospel is casting a net into this sea, to catch something out of it, for His glory who has the sovereignty of this sea. Hypocrites and true Christians shall be parted: miserable is the condition of those that shall then be cast away. 4. A skilful, faithful minister of the gospel, is a scribe, well versed in the things of the gospel, and able to teach them. Christ compares him to a good householder, who brings forth fruits of last year's growth and this year's gathering, abundance and variety, to entertain his friends. Old experiences and new observations, all have their use. Our place is at Christ's feet, and we must daily learn old lessons over again, and new ones also.