Matthew 13:36

Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

Then {G5119} Jesus {G2424} sent {G863} the multitude {G3793} away {G863}, and went {G2064} into {G1519} the house {G3614}: and {G2532} his {G846} disciples {G3101} came {G4334} unto him {G846}, saying {G3004}, Declare {G5419} unto us {G2254} the parable {G3850} of the tares {G2215} of the field {G68}.

Then he left the crowds and went into the house. His talmidim approached him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."

Then Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples came to Him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”

Then he left the multitudes, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Explain unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

Matthew 13:36 marks a significant transition in Jesus' teaching ministry within the thirteenth chapter, often referred to as the "Parable Chapter." After delivering a series of parables to a large crowd, including the well-known Parable of the Tares of the field, Jesus dismisses the multitude and retreats to a more private setting with His disciples.

Context

This verse immediately follows the public teaching of several parables, notably the Parable of the Tares (Matthew 13:24-30), which describes a farmer sowing good seed, only for an enemy to sow weeds (tares) among the wheat. Jesus often used parables to convey spiritual truths, sometimes to conceal meaning from those unwilling to truly hear, and to reveal it to those with "ears to hear" (Matthew 13:9). The disciples' request here underscores their unique position as learners and recipients of deeper revelation, differentiating them from the general crowd.

Key Themes

  • The Disciples' Desire for Understanding: The disciples' proactive approach in asking Jesus to "declare unto us" the parable highlights their earnest desire for spiritual comprehension. They weren't content with surface-level hearing but sought profound insight into the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. This mirrors the importance of seeking understanding in one's faith journey.
  • Jesus as the Divine Interpreter: Jesus' willingness to privately explain the parable to His disciples demonstrates His role as the authoritative revealer of truth. While He spoke in parables publicly, He provided explicit interpretation to His committed followers, unveiling the deeper meaning of His kingdom teachings. This sets the stage for Jesus' subsequent explanation of the Parable of the Tares (Matthew 13:37-43).
  • The Distinction Between Public and Private Teaching: This verse illustrates a pattern in Jesus' ministry where public teaching often involved parables that required interpretation, while private instruction to His disciples offered clearer, more direct explanations. This distinction was crucial for equipping His future apostles.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Greek word for "declare" is phrazō (φράζω), meaning "to explain," "to make plain," or "to interpret." It signifies the disciples' need for a clear, unveiled understanding of the parable's symbolism, which was not immediately obvious to everyone.
  • The "multitude" (Greek: ochlos, ὄχλος) refers to the general, often transient, crowd, contrasting with the "disciples" (Greek: mathētēs, μαθητής), who were committed learners and followers. This distinction emphasizes the special relationship Jesus had with His inner circle.

Practical Application

For believers today, Matthew 13:36 offers a valuable lesson: we should actively seek a deeper understanding of God's Word. Just as the disciples asked Jesus for clarity, we are encouraged to pray for wisdom and discernment, study the scriptures, and seek guidance from the Holy Spirit to comprehend spiritual truths. We shouldn't be satisfied with merely hearing the Word but should strive to grasp its profound meaning and practical implications for our lives, much like the disciples who were eager to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 16:17

    Then said [some] of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?

  • John 16:20

    Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

  • Matthew 15:15

    Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.

  • Matthew 15:16

    And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?

  • Matthew 9:28

    And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.

  • Mark 6:45

    ¶ And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.

  • Matthew 13:1

    ¶ The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.

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