Section 13:36–43

Jesus explained the parable of the weeds

In this section, Jesus explained the meaning of the parable of the weeds to his disciples. This parable shows God’s patience. Jesus announced that the kingdom of God had come, but not everyone accepted his message. However, God does not immediately destroy them. He permits people who do not follow him to live on the earth together with his people. They will live together until the day that God judges people. He will then separate them, bringing his people into heaven and throwing nonbelievers into hell.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The meaning of the weeds in the wheat
-or-
Jesus explains the meaning of the weeds to his disciples

This passage occurs only in Matthew.

Paragraph 13:36–43

13:36a

Then Jesus dismissed the crowds: According to 13:2b, Jesus had been in a boat talking to the people by the lake of Galilee. When he finished talking to the people, he left them and went back to his house.

and went into the house: This house is likely the house in Capernaum where Jesus was staying at that time (8:14, 9:10). It was the house he left in 13:1a.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

went into the house ⌊where he was staying⌋
-or-
returned to his house and entered it

13:36b

His disciples came to Him: The phrase came to Him indicates that the disciples approached Jesus. This implies that they had returned to the house with Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

his disciples approached him (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
his disciples followed him

13:36c

Explain to us: This command is used as a polite request. Use a natural way to express a polite request in your language. For example:

⌊Master/Lord,⌋ could you tell us
-or-
Please explain to us

the parable of the weeds in the field: This was the parable that Jesus told in 13:24–30.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the parable of the weeds ⌊among the wheat⌋ in the field

-or-

⌊the meaning of⌋ the parable/story of the weeds ⌊that you told the people⌋

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