Daily Writing

Tuesday, 14 October 2025

The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. Matthew 13:38

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And the field, it is the world. And the good seed, these, they are the sons of the kingdom. And the weeds, they are the sons of the evil” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus began His explanation of the parable of the darnel, explaining that the One sowing good seed is the Son of Man. He continues with, “And the field, it is the world.”

The word kosmos is used. It signifies an orderly arrangement. By implication, it thus speaks of the world. However, that can be the world as the globe, the inhabitants of the world, the state of the world (as in “they are not of the world”), etc.

Jesus’ parable goes far beyond a single field or the several fields of a landowner. As such, it would explain why the parable would not be understood without really thinking things through, and maybe not at all.

When evaluating such things, the human mind will make images of what is happening, such as in the sowing of a field. To expand out to the entire world takes a real leap in thought. Jesus continues, saying, “And the good seed, these, they are the sons of the kingdom.”

Having already heard the explanation of the parable of the sower, the imagery here is understandable. The seed reflects people. Obviously, if the sower wants a good harvest, he will sow good seed. The same would be true with Jesus. He will only bring forth that which is good. However, “And the weeds, they are the sons of the evil.”

Pretty much every translation adds in the word “one,” saying, “sons of the evil one,” “wicked one,” etc. This is a correct thought, but it is not a true rendering. It only uses the adjective as a descriptor. Hence, italicizing it is appropriate. Jesus will continue the explanation in the next verse.

Life application: There is a standard method of interpreting Scripture that has been set forth for eons: “Let Scripture interpret Scripture.” In other words, when something is recorded in the Bible, the way to interpret it, first and foremost, is to let the explanation of it be what the Bible says about it.

For example, the story of Sarah and Hagar is recorded in Genesis. For almost 1500 years, it was “just a story” with a meaning that was not understood. Scholars would give their ideas about why it was included in Scripture, normally ensuring that it was understood that the line leading to the Jewish people was highlighted as the true line, chosen of God.

This is not incorrect, but it is incomplete. There are exacting details in the narrative that could have just been left out, and that premise would still be understood. But every word of Scripture has a particular reason for being there.

Only in the coming of Christ and the introduction of the New Covenant is the reason for the story understood. Paul gives a brief explanation of it in Galatians 4, stating “which things are symbolic” in verse 4:24. As Paul has given the explanation under the inspiration of God, we do not need to look for any other explanation for the story. We are thus letting Scripture interpret Scripture.

This is true with incense. In both testaments, incense is explicitly stated as being a metaphor for prayer (see Psalm 141:2 and Revelation 5:8). Therefore, we don’t need to speculate about its set typology when looking at the times when incense is mentioned in the Bible.

In Exodus, great detail is given concerning incense. Understanding that it signifies prayer, the meaning of all of those details becomes evident and can be properly analyzed. This is true with something found in the parable of the darnel. In this verse, Jesus said, “And the field, it is the world.”

Therefore, because Jesus has explained what the field signifies (in Hebrew, sadeh means field), we don’t need to go anywhere else to understand what is being seen in the typology of a given passage. All we need to do is consistently stick to what Jesus has said.

Unfortunately, translations may fail to translate sadeh as field at times, or they will translate something else as field from another word that actually has a different meaning. Therefore, we can make errors in our figuring out typology by trusting in a given translation that has failed to be consistent. An example would be Genesis 32:3 –

“And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom” (KJV).

The KJV failed to translate sadeh as field, instead rendering it “country.” The NKJV followed that translation, but they thankfully footnoted it as “field.” If one were to read only the KJV, he would never know that it was a faulty rendering of the word. If he were attempting to typologically explain the passage, his explanation would be faulty because of the already faulty translation.

Therefore, when doing an analysis of a passage, attempting to understand what it means, 1) first and foremost, let Scripture interpret Scripture, 2) be consistent in your typological meanings, (if you are to divert from a particular typology, you must have a valid reason for doing so), 3) don’t trust a single, faulty translation (like the KJV), and expect proper results. Check with the original. It is not difficult to do, and it will keep you on a sounder, surer path of properly explaining the passage.

Lord God, may we be careful with Your word, never making stuff up in order to provide an explanation that we want. Rather, may we go where You are leading as we carefully evaluate the set purpose and intent that You have for each passage. Amen.

Monday, 13 October 2025

He answered and said to them: “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. Matthew 13:37

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And answering, He said, ‘He, the ‘sowing the good seed,’ He is the Son of Man’” (CG).

In the previous verse, the disciples came to Jesus and asked Him to explain the parable of the darnel. Therefore, Matthew records, “And answering, He said, ‘He, the ‘sowing the good seed,’ He is the Son of Man.’”

His words reveal that this is not just a parable without an exact meaning, like a fable or a general metaphor that can be equated to various things. Rather, it is a specific parable that provides specific information.

Because this is so, even though truths from it may bleed between dispensations, the most likely explanation is that it is an overall truth applying to only one. This was discussed in the comments provided when the parable was given to the crowds by Jesus.

Jesus is the Sower. Therefore, the parable is referring to Him and cannot be transferred to anyone else as an example of their life or ministry.

Life application: As noted in an earlier commentary (Matthew 13:30), if the words of this parable are referring to the church age, there needs to be a specific spiritualization of some of what is being said.

This is generally what people do, attempting to fit themselves and their situation into parts of the Bible. Passages, for example, that provide hope to Israel in exile to Babylon, such as are found in Jeremiah, are transferred to our lives. Although they are words of hope, they are intended for a particular audience.

We can learn about God’s mercy and compassion from those passages, but we should not endeavor to place ourselves into what is being stated. The words of this parable are specific and have an intended audience.

We can learn truths from it, and we can also see parallels in our dispensation to some of the things that happen, but the best course of action when reading it is to understand that it is dealing with Jesus and Israel.

Lord God, help us to understand Your word as You intend for us to understand it. Keep us from making faulty or illogical connections that are not intended by You. Rather, may our time in Your word be for understanding Your nature and Your care for humanity as You interact with us at any given time. Amen.

Sunday, 12 October 2025

Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.” Matthew 13:36

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“Then Jesus, having dismissed the crowds, He went into the house. And His disciples, they came to Him, saying, ‘Expound to us the parable of the fields’ darnel’” (CG).

In the previous verse, Matthew quoted the words of Asaph to explain why Jesus spoke in parables. Next, he returns to the ongoing narrative with the words, “Then Jesus, having dismissed the crowds.”

After speaking out His parables, a dismissal of the crowds took place, once that was attended to, “He went into the house.”

The article before house means it is a particular house. Going back to Matthew 1, it says, “And in that day, Jesus, having departed from the house, He sat by the sea.” It is this house, explained during that verse, that is being referred to. Once in the house, it says, “And His disciples, they came to Him.”

Houses at the time were not big McMansions that many live in today. There would be no need to go looking for Him in the house. Therefore, it is probable that as soon as Jesus went into the house, those following asked this as they were coming in, highlighting their desire to hear an explanation of His words. In their words to Him, they were “saying, ‘Expound to us the parable of the fields’ darnel.’”

The word phrazó is introduced here. It is only found in some texts here. Most use the word diasapheó, a word also first found here. This word, phrazó, is found only elsewhere in Matthew 15:15. It means to indicate by word or act or to interpret. Thus, it signifies to expound. They are looking for an indication of what He was talking about in the parable, meaning its underlying meaning.

The other word used in other texts, diasapheó, comes from two words signifying “through” and “clear.” Thus, it is a thorough clearing of something. Thus, it figuratively means to declare.

The parable of the darnel in the field was recorded in verses 24-30. The parable was deeper than the subsequent two, those of the mustard seed and the leaven in the bread. As such, the disciples wanted a clear understanding of what Jesus was conveying in it.

Life application: As seen in the parable of the leaven, which Jesus did not explain, there is disagreement in its meaning. The majority of commentators state that the leaven was used as a good thing, it being the one exception to the normal use of leaven in Scripture, which is in a negative sense.

However, that seems inappropriate, and a suitable explanation that follows the normal Scriptural meaning of leaven was provided. If there is disagreement on such a short parable, being only one sentence long, it is good that the disciples asked for an explanation of this longer and more complicated parable.

Not everything Jesus said during His ministry is carefully explained. This lack has led to innumerable interpretations of various things He set before the disciples. The majority of these divisions in interpretation could be resolved by remembering the main rule of biblical interpretation: What is the context?

Jesus’ ministry was to Israel under the law. His words deal with that context. Jesus never spoke of things like the rapture. The reason He didn’t do this was because that event belongs to the church age. The doctrine of the rapture is only explained by Paul because Paul is the apostle to the Gentile led church.

Remembering the context of Jesus’ words will normally help clarify what He is saying. It is true that kingdom terminology can overlap in meaning. Therefore, it can be difficult to come down adamantly on some things He says. The more conservative our interpretation of Scripture is, though, the less we will devolve into inappropriate lines of thought.

Therefore, unless there is a specific reason for including the church in His words, which can be fully explained, it is best to assume He is not addressing the church, but Israel alone.

The main thing for us to do is to keep reading His word. No matter how many times we have done so, we will always learn something new. After a person has a stroke, his brain must rewire around the damaged parts of the brain.

In a similar way, the more we read the word, the more we are able to rewire our thoughts and lives around those things that inappropriately affect our understanding of who God is and what He is saying in His word. Keep in the word! It will never bring you harm. Rather, right thinking will continue to develop in you.

Lord God, time in Your word is like a healing balm to our souls. We are molded more and more to Your mind as we learn it and apply it to our lives. Give us the time and the sense to pick it up, read it, and contemplate it all the days of our lives. Amen.

Saturday, 11 October 2025

that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:
“I will open My mouth in parables;
I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.” Matthew 13:35

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“So it should be fulfilled, the ‘having been spoken through the prophet,’ saying,
‘I will open My mouth in parables. I will blurt things having been concealed from foundation – world’” (CG).

In the previous verse, Matthew noted that it was Jesus’ habit to speak to the multitude in parables, and when doing so, not speaking to them any other way. He now explains why by citing Scripture. That is introduced with the words, “So it should be fulfilled.”

In other words, and as has been seen before, Matthew is stating that some portion of Scripture is fulfilled by Jesus’ actions. In this case, it refers to His conduct in relation to addressing the crowds. What is fulfilled is “the ‘having been spoken through the prophet.’”

Matthew explicitly notes that words spoken by a prophet are fulfilled by what Jesus is doing. Saying “the prophet” indicates that it was a recognized prophet of Israel whose words are recorded in Scripture. The prophet being referred to in this instance is Asaph, whose words are recorded in Psalm 78 –

“I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings of old,
³ Which we have heard and known,
And our fathers have told us.” Psalm 78:2, 3

Knowing where the thought came from, Matthew continues, “saying, ‘I will open My mouth in parables.’”

The Hebrew reads, “in parable.” The Greek converts that to the plural, which is then used by Matthew. This sets the tone for how Jesus dealt with the people. As for what that is, Matthew next says, “I will blurt things having been concealed from foundation – world.”

Two new words are seen here. The first is ereugomai, to belch. It is found only here. It is used figuratively to indicate speaking out. A word that ties the sense of both thoughts together is blurt. It is a sudden, abrupt, and poignant mode of speech.

The second new word is katabolé, a deposition. Thus, when referring to the beginning of the earth, it speaks of its foundation.

There are several ways of taking Matthew’s thought so that it aligns with the intent of the psalm because the words are not a direct citation. Thus, rather than a quote, a thought is being presented. The likely meaning is derived from the change of speaking “in parable” to “in parables.”

In other words, Asaph spoke in a parable concerning the history of Israel. The psalm is a long recounting of events that occurred. However, the words are then to be considered in a parabolic fashion, having an underlying meaning in addition to the historical references.

The Greek converted the singular to plural. Matthew saw this as an inspired change, pointing to the teaching style of the Messiah. In just the manner that Asaph recorded Israel’s history, so Jesus taught the people, reflecting the same type of literary teaching device.

When He opened His mouth, it would be in parables. And in His use of parables, He would blurt out things that had never been heard before, having been concealed in the wisdom of God from eternity past.

Life application: There are times when people get anxious about saying, “Well, Peter said,” or “John says in His epistle.” The thought is, “If this is the word of God, we should say something like, ‘the Lord said,’ or ‘the Lord through John said.’”

This is unnecessary. There are abundant times in the New Testament where the words of Scripture are attributed to individuals rather than God. For example, Jesus refers to Moses having commanded something. This is followed in the words of the apostles. The same is true with other names like David and Isaiah.

The reason why this is acceptable is that these people really said or wrote those things, doing so in harmony with the will of the Lord. If a musician like Eddie Van Halen played a tune from Bach, we might say that was an amazing piece Eddie played. At the same time, we could say, I heard a song by Bach today, and it was incredible.

There is a harmonious synergy between the author and the player. This is how Scripture works. When we read Jeremiah, we can see his personal style, choice of words, etc. And yet, we can also know that the hand of divine inspiration was upon him in prophetic utterances, determined proclamations, etc.

There is nothing wrong and everything right about saying it either way, meaning “The Lord said,” or “Jeremiah said.” When we believe in the process of inspiration, we are upholding the value of the word by stating things in this way. Notice how Jesus holds carefully to this process as He explains it to the leaders of Israel –

“Jesus answered them, ‘Has it not been written in your Law: “I said, you are gods’?” ³⁵ If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be nullified), ³⁶ are you saying of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?” John 10:34-36 (NASB)

Lord God, help us in our understanding of Your word. Open our eyes so that when we read it, we can comprehend it in ways we may not have previously considered. There is so much depth and richness to it, and we want to understand and experience it all. So help us in this, O God. Amen.

Friday, 10 October 2025

All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, Matthew 13:34

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“All these, He spoke, Jesus, in parables to the crowds, and besides parable, not He spoke to them” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus told the Parable of the Leaven. Matthew next says, “All these.”

The words indicate the parables just given by Matthew. A set of them has been recorded, but no explanation for them is provided to the people. Understanding this, Matthew continues, saying, “He spoke, Jesus, in parables to the crowds.”

Matthew confirms that these words were spoken by Jesus, as noted before, it isn’t certain if these were all said at this one time or recorded categorically. The words now seem to tend to the former. However, having explained the parable of the sower between the other parables gives a strong hint that it is actually just the opposite.

Either way, the way that Matthew states this verse needs careful attention. In this clause, the verb is in the aorist tense. Jesus spoke to the crowds about these particular parables. He next says, “and besides parable, not He spoke to them.”

A new word, chóris, without, is stated. It is derived from chora, a space of territory which, in turn, gives the sense of room. Therefore, chóris means “at a space.” As the word is accompanied by the word “not,” it means that He wasn’t speaking to them any other way.

However, the verb is imperfect. Meyer’s NT Commentary further rightly defines it as a relative imperfect. As such, the words do not necessarily mean that Jesus only spoke to the crowds in Israel with parables. But when He was speaking these parables, it was the only way He spoke, meaning that He didn’t speak plainly by explaining the meaning of the parable.

The understanding of that is seen in the explanation found in Mark 4 –

“And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. ³⁴ But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.” Mark 4:33, 34

By looking side-by-side at the two clauses with their precise wording, the sense becomes more evident –

*All these (the parables just recorded), He spoke (aorist), Jesus, in parables (plural) to the crowds.
*And besides parable (singular), not He spoke (imperfect) to them

He spoke these parables, but He was not explaining any parable that he spoke. Only when He was alone with the disciples would he then explain the parables.

It is common for scholars to insist that these words are intended to mean that Jesus spoke only in parables at all times when speaking to the crowds. But Meyer’s challenges that notion, stating –

“The absolute sense in which the words are understood by Baumgarten-Crusius and Hilgenfeld is inconsistent with historical facts; nor could Matthew, or Mark 4:34, have intended the words to be so taken without being guilty of the grossest absurdity.”

Life application: The discussion above highlights particular nuances of the text that are debated over. Not understanding the precise intent doesn’t mean that someone now has the wrong doctrine. Rather, they may have a misunderstanding of the nuances of what is written. This is evident by reading various translations of the verse.

Despite not having the exact sense of what is being said, anyone reading the text can get the major points. There is the understanding that the use of parables when speaking to the crowd was important. Through His words, prophecy was being fulfilled. That is the major point to be understood.

As one grows in knowledge and understanding of the nuances, a clearer grasp of the overall intent is realized. This is why some people are plumbers who read the Bible from time to time, and then there are scholars who read and study its every nuance.

Unfortunately, some scholars come to the text wanting to tear it apart, find contradictions, demonstrate that they are smarter than the text as given by God, etc. From there, people read their analyses, believe them because these scholars are more understanding of the text than the average Joe, and they believe what they hear.

This leads to weak believers who cannot trust the word of God. The deeper you get into the details, the more you should study many scholars and contemplate what you read. Don’t take anything at face value, even if the argument seems convincing at first.

Be assured, there is nothing wrong with God’s word. If you come to it with this understanding, you will be in the sweet spot, even if you never find a resolution to the question you are looking for. Someday, the perfection of God’s word will be fully comprehended by us all.

Lord God, help us to carefully treat Your word, never diminishing it or trying to find fault with it. If it is Your word, it is just what You intended for us. As You are without fault, we know that what You say will be as well. Help us to carry with us the understanding that Your word is sacred and should be treated as such. Amen.