Matthew 13:35-37
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
35 to fulfill what had been said through the prophet:[a]
“I will open my mouth in parables,
I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation [of the world].”(A)
The Explanation of the Parable of the Weeds. 36 Then, dismissing the crowds,[b] he went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” 37 [c]He said in reply, “He who sows good seed is the Son of Man,
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 13:35 The prophet: some textual witnesses read “Isaiah the prophet.” The quotation is actually from Ps 78:2; the first line corresponds to the LXX text of the psalm. The psalm’s title ascribes it to Asaph, the founder of one of the guilds of temple musicians. He is called “the prophet” (NAB “the seer”) in 2 Chr 29:30, but it is doubtful that Matthew averted to that; for him, any Old Testament text that could be seen as fulfilled in Jesus was prophetic.
- 13:36 Dismissing the crowds: the return of Jesus to the house marks a break with the crowds, who represent unbelieving Israel. From now on his attention is directed more and more to his disciples and to their instruction. The rest of the discourse is addressed to them alone.
- 13:37–43 In the explanation of the parable of the weeds emphasis lies on the fearful end of the wicked, whereas the parable itself concentrates on patience with them until judgment time.
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