Matthew 13:36
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
“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 the prophet Asaph Isaiah 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.
