Matthew 13:27
Friday, 3 October 2025
So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ Matthew 13:27
“And having come, the servants of the housemaster, they said to him, ‘Lord, not good seed you sowed in your field? Whence, therefore, it has darnel?’” (CG).
In the previous verse, Jesus continued the parable of the wheat and the darnel. He continues further, saying, “And having come, the servants of the housemaster, they said to him, ‘Lord, not good seed you sowed in your field?’”
It is an obvious question to set the tone of voice for what will next be said. There is darnel rising in the field along with the wheat. Rather than abruptly telling the master it is so, making him look incompetent, it is natural to ask in a positive manner. It will allow him to deduce on his own what must have taken place. As such, they continue with, “Whence, therefore, it has darnel?”
A new word is introduced, pothen, whence. It gives the sense of from which or from what. In this case, a single word to define the intent and speaking style would be whence. They know the answer to their own question, it being rhetorical in nature. Therefore, they continue with an obvious follow-up question to help alleviate the owner’s tension.
Life application: Having tact when approaching a sensitive matter is important. Barging up to someone and telling him that his brother just died without showing care and empathy would be considered rude. The same is true with any sensitive matter.
In some cases, people can get upset or angry over things we might not even consider sensitive. Such instances cannot be helped. But we can take the general idea of tact that is understood in a given society with us when we talk to others. Being the bearer of news means that responsibility is attached to the delivery.
As some people lack any sense of tact at all, it is good to identify them and make a mental tag, never assigning them to passing on sensitive matters. They may even be close friends, but it is important to make these types of divisions in our minds and remember them. Learn who around you can’t keep a secret.
Such a person might be the nicest guy around, but he just cannot keep quiet when entrusted with information. So mark him as such and keep from sharing things that may be sensitive with him. This thought can even extend further, such as knowing personal relationships that exist around you. Someone who is normally trustworthy may have a beef with someone or a group of people.
Knowing this and keeping harmony between the disaffected parties is important. So the more situational awareness you have, the more effective you will be in keeping seemingly little things from getting out of hand. Pay attention to such things. Work on developing your skills in identifying who should carry a word or message about a matter, and then deploy this knowledge wisely. Such things are seen even in Scripture –
“Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, ‘Let me run now and take the news to the king, how the Lord has avenged him of his enemies.’
20 And Joab said to him, ‘You shall not take the news this day, for you shall take the news another day. But today you shall take no news, because the king’s son is dead.’ 21 Then Joab said to the Cushite, ‘Go, tell the king what you have seen.’ So the Cushite bowed himself to Joab and ran.” 2 Samuel 18:19-21
Lord God, grant us the wisdom to be situationally aware concerning matters of tact, diplomacy, and trust. The world is a place where people can get easily hurt or offended. So help us to be wise and discerning in matters that require special care. Yes, Lord, be with us and help us to grow wise in such matters. Amen.
