¶ And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
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Commentary for Matthew 13:47
Matthew 13:47 is part of a collection of parables spoken by Jesus Christ in the New Testament, which are intended to reveal the nature of the "kingdom of heaven." In this verse, Jesus uses the metaphor of a fishing net to illustrate principles related to the kingdom. The historical context of this verse is the ministry of Jesus in the region of Galilee, where fishing was a common occupation, making the analogy readily understandable to his audience.
The verse itself reads: "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind." This short parable encapsulates several themes. Firstly, it suggests inclusivity, as the net does not discriminate and gathers all kinds of fish, representing how the kingdom of heaven is open to all people, regardless of background or status. Secondly, it implies a certain passivity in the process of gathering, indicating that the kingdom grows through the work of God's agents, like fishermen casting nets, rather than through human effort alone.
The broader context of the parable, as explained in the subsequent verses, is the eschatological sorting that will occur at the end of the age, where angels will separate the wicked from the righteous. This highlights the theme of judgment and the idea that while the invitation to the kingdom is universal, not everyone will ultimately be part of it. The parable serves as a warning to live righteously and as a reassurance that God's justice will prevail in the fullness of time.
In summary, Matthew 13:47 uses a familiar image from the daily lives of Jesus' listeners to teach about the universality of the gospel message, the expectation of a diverse community within the kingdom, and the ultimate separation of the righteous and the wicked, emphasizing God's sovereignty in the process of salvation and judgment.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
Strong's Number: G3825 There are 138 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: πάλιν Transliteration: pálin Pronunciation: pal'-in Description: probably from the same as πάλη (through the idea of oscillatory repetition); (adverbially) anew, i.e. (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand:--again.
Strong's Number: G932 There are 154 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: βασιλεία Transliteration: basileía Pronunciation: bas-il-i'-ah Description: from βασιλεύς; properly, royalty, i.e. (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively):--kingdom, + reign.
Strong's Number: G3772 There are 264 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: οὐρανός Transliteration: ouranós Pronunciation: oo-ran-os' Description: perhaps from the same as ὄρος (through the idea of elevation); the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel (Christianity):--air, heaven(-ly), sky.
Strong's Number: G2076 There are 812 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ἐστί Transliteration: estí Pronunciation: es-tee' Description: third person singular present indicative of εἰμί; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
Strong's Number: G3664 There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ὅμοιος Transliteration: hómoios Pronunciation: hom'-oy-os Description: from the base of ὁμοῦ; similar (in appearance or character):--like, + manner.
Strong's Number: G4522 There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: σαγήνη Transliteration: sagḗnē Pronunciation: sag-ay'-nay Description: from a derivative of (to equip) meaning furniture, especially a pack-saddle (which in the East is merely a bag of netted rope); a "seine" for fishing:--net.
Strong's Number: G906 There are 107 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: βάλλω Transliteration: bállō Pronunciation: bal'-lo Description: a primary verb; to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense):--arise, cast (out), X dung, lay, lie, pour, put (up), send, strike, throw (down), thrust. Compare ῥίπτω.
Strong's Number: G1519 There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: εἰς Transliteration: eis Pronunciation: ice Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
Strong's Number: G2281 There are 83 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: θάλασσα Transliteration: thálassa Pronunciation: thal'-as-sah Description: probably prolonged from ἅλς; the sea (genitive case or specially):--sea.
Strong's Number: G2532 There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: καί Transliteration: kaí Pronunciation: kahee Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Strong's Number: G4863 There are 62 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: συνάγω Transliteration: synágō Pronunciation: soon-ag'-o Description: from σύν and ἄγω; to lead together, i.e. collect or convene; specially, to entertain (hospitably):--+ accompany, assemble (selves, together), bestow, come together, gather (selves together, up, together), lead into, resort, take in.
Strong's Number: G1537 There are 761 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ἐκ Transliteration: ek Pronunciation: ex Description: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.
Strong's Number: G3956 There are 1075 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: πᾶς Transliteration: pâs Pronunciation: pas Description: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
Strong's Number: G1085 There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: γένος Transliteration: génos Pronunciation: ghen'-os Description: from γίνομαι; "kin" (abstract or concrete, literal or figurative, individual or collective):--born, country(-man), diversity, generation, kind(-red), nation, offspring, stock.