Matthew 13:47-50 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Dragnet

Matthew 13:47-50 – Parable of the Dragnet

MT13:47 “Again the Realm of Heaven may be compared to[1] a dragnet thrown into the sea[2] and gathering together every kind of [fish]. MT13:48 When the net is filled[3] it is hauled onto the beach. Then the [fishermen] sit down and collect the good fish into vessels;[4] but, the rotten [fish][5] they throw away. MT13:49 Just so it will be in the consummation of the Period:[6] the angels will go forth to separate[7] the wicked from among the righteous.[8] MT13:50 The angels will hurl the wicked into the furnace of fire.[9] There will be lamentation[10] and the grinding of teeth.”

*

[1] May be compared to: There is something about the Christian Church which resembles a fisherman’s dragnet lowered into the world to “catch men alive.”

[2] Dragnet thrown into the sea: Or, RHM: a large drag-net; WEY: let down into the sea. Some calls this the Gospel Net. Jesus called his first disciples and told them they would “become fishers of men.” He commissioned his apostles to “Go and make disciples of people of all nations.” (Matthew 28:18, 19) Beginning with Jesus the gospel preaching “dragnet” – the great evangelical effort of all time – the Gospel Net has been fishing earth’s waters.

[3] When the net is filled: At the Return (or, Parousia; see notes on Matthew 24:3) of Christ and the beginning of the parousia-judgment. This is parallel to the parable of the Zizania in the Field (go to Matthew 13:37) as well as those within Matthew 24:45-25:46. At the judgment the dragnet will be filled with all those who professed Jesus as Lord as Christians throughout the Gospel or Church Age (Period).

[4] Collect the good fish into vessels: Or, TCNT: sorted the good fish into baskets.

[5] The rotten [fish]: Or, KJV: the bad; RHM: worthless. The Greek SAPROS is rendered rotten or corrupt and often applied to bad fruit of a tree (Matthew 7:17,18; Luke 6:43). These are the same as the “workers of lawlessness” of Matthew 7:21, 22, the zizania of Matthew 13:38, and the “goats” of Matthew 25:40-46.

[6] The consummation of the Period: See notes on Matthew 13:40 and Matthew 24:3. Or, KJV: end of the world; TCNT: close of the age; NWT: conclusion of the system of things. The Age or Period may be the Gospel Age or that time period of the generation that witnesses the Revelation of Christ (Matthew 24:34).

[7] Angels will go forth to separate: As in the parable of the Zizania in the Field. See notes on Matthew 13:39 and Matthew 25:31.

[8] Wicked from among the righteous: There are only two classes of Christians: the good and the bad. On the word wicked (search this word) see the notes on Matthew 12:35 and elsewhere. Note “the righteous” in Matthew 25:40-46. Search righteous for notes elsewhere. The difference between the wicked and the righteous is that the former are hurtful or unloving, and the later law-abiding and charitable.

[9] Into the furnace of fire: On this phrase search under Gehenna and fire for notes elsewhere (Revelation 20:13-15).

[10] Lamentation: The grief is before the throne of Christ and in their shame and reproach prior to being hurled into everlasting extinction (1 John 2:28; Matthew 7:21).

 

+

Preceding

Matthew 6:1-34 – The Nazarene’s Commentary on Leviticus 19:18 Continued 4 Treasures’ and neighbour love

Matthew 7:13-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #3 Matthew 7:21-23 The ones Jesus never knew

Matthew 7:15-20 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #2 False prophets and fruitage

Matthew 10:5-10 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Jesus’ Orders: Territory, Theme, Trust

Matthew 12:33-37 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Judgment Day

Matthew 12:43-45 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: A Generation Seven Times Worse

Matthew 13 – Parables on Kingdom mysteries

Matthew 13:1-9 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable: the Soil and the Seed

Matthew 13:10-15 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Why Speak in Parables?

Matthew 13:16-17 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Happy Eyes and Ears

Matthew 13:18-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Seed and Soil

Matthew 13:24-30 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Field and the Harvest

Matthew 13:31-32 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Mustard Seed

Matthew 13:33 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Fermented Whole

Matthew 13:34-35 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Manner of Teaching Foretold

Matthew 13:36-43 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Zizania in the Field Explained

Matthew 13:44 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Treasure

Matthew 13:45-46 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Valuable Pearl

False teachers and false prophets still around

++

Additional reading

1. Condemnation of the World and Illustration of Justification
2. Thanksgivukkah and Advent
3. Memorizing wonderfully 22 Jealous God not heaving pleasure in the wicked
4. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #4 Transitoriness #1 Prosperity
5. Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
6. A Living Faith #7 Prayer

+++

Related

1. After curiosity…
2. Kingdom Treasure
3. Scripture at Sunrise 5.29.2018
4. Third Sunday After the Epiphany, Year B: Mark 1:14-20: Following Jesus
5. Following: context
6. Follow Me
7. The First Four Disciples
8. A Fisher of Men
9. Scripture Speaks: Fishers of Men
10. Fishers of men
11. Fishers of Men or ‘Fisher of Tzaddi’ – Righteous
12. Catching Fish
13. Cookie a day: Fishers Of Men
14. #24 Fishers of Men
15. June 13, 2018 “Fishermen”
16. Fishers of Men.
17. Fishing–no catch limit
18. Following: fishers of men
19. If You Say So
20. May 27 @ Luke 5-6
21. A Commentary on the gospel according to Mark – by Phillip Medhurst -c2
22. A Call to Freedom: The Vocation of the Apostles
23. Evangelism as a lifestyle
24. On purpose – Evangelism
25. Catch and Release, or Catch and Devour Pastors
26. Things that Won’t Matter Much on Judgment Day
27. The Difference Between The Christian and the World
28. The Immediate Judgment
29. A Gift and a Calling
30. The Just Judgment of God Part 2 – Romans Study 8
31. The Just Judgment of God Part 3 – Romans Study 9
32. Verses that Don’t Get Preached Much
33. Sin, Righteousness, Judgment

Matthew 12:33-37 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Judgment Day

Matthew 12:33-37 – Judgment Day!

|| Luke 6:43-45

MT12:33 “You either make the tree[1] good[2] and its fruitage[3] good, or[4] you make the tree rotten and the fruitage rotten. For a tree is known by its fruitage. MT12:34 Generation of vipers,[5] how can you speak good[6] when you are wicked? For out of the heart’s bounty[7] the mouth speaks. MT12:35 Out of the good[8] person’s heart comes a treasure of goodness;[9] and expelled out[10] of the wicked[11] person’s wicked treasure[12] comes wickedness. MT12:36 But I tell you that every fruitless word[13] human’s speak will be held to account[14] on Judgment Day.[15] MT12:37 For by your words you will be declared ‘Not Guilty,’[16] and by your words you will be accursed.”[17]

*

[1] You either make the tree: An awesome thought. We make the tree – either good or wicked. Jesus uses the tree as a metaphor for what a person produces. He has done it already in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:17). John the Baptists uses the idea first. See Matthew 3:10.

[2] Good: The Greek is KALON and is generally rendered “good” though there is another word for such – AGATHOS. There is a shade of difference in the two words. It is something like the Spanish bueno as opposed to bein. One means “good,” and the other “fine.” These are words in English with wide ranges of meaning and only the context can indicate what is being meant. In the KJV the word occurs 102 times and is generally rendered “good.” Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance indicates other meanings: 1) beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable; 1a) beautiful to look at, shapely, magnificent; 1b) good, excellent in its nature and characteristics, and therefore well adapted to its ends; 1b1) genuine, approved.

[3] Fruitage: An often used idea of the Nazarene. Compare John 15:1-10. To Jesus the greatest of the fruitages are: faith and love (1 John 3:23). Fruitage is proof of one’s heart or inner motives and agenda. Fruitage which is self-centered leads to wickedness. Fruitage which is self-less leads to goodness and love.

[4] Or: There are only two choices.

[5] Generation of vipers: Or, ASV: offspring; WEY: brood. Jesus uses the condemnation again at Matthew 23:33. He has in mind the Pharisees, not the average folk. Compare John 8:44. These are the “seed” or offspring of the original serpent (Genesis 3:15).

[6] How can you speak good: They have just accused Jesus of being associated with Satan.

[7] Heart’s bounty: Or, KJV: abundance of the heart; TCNT: what fills the heart will rise to the lips; KNX: heart’s overflow. Proof of the heart’s motive is the mouth. What does one talk about? What is the general subject of conversation? How does one speak of another? Someone in this audience has just uttered the word “Beelzebubel” as an accusation against – not Jesus directly – but what he has done, by the Holy Pneuma.

[8] Good: The Greek is AGATHOS and generally translated “good.” The English word is one that has scores of meanings. Here it means morally excellent or virtuous kindness. Good is something positive toward another. The morality of this Nazarene teacher rises to celestial heights. Though it often means what is upright and honorable, it goes beyond mere righteousness. Righteousness is obedient to law. That is, a law-abiding person. AGATHOS goes beyond the law to do a kindness not necessarily required by the law.

[9] A treasure of goodness: The Greek for “treasure” is THESAUROU, or that which is saved or stored up. It is not a matter of one act of goodness – but a treasure of goodness. The good tree has been growing for years from a seedling to a mature fruit-bearer.

[10] Expelled out: The Greek is EKBALLEI and is related to the word from which “exorcise” comes. Or, GDSP: out of what he has accumulated that is bad, brings out things that are.

[11] Wicked: The Greek is PONERA (PONEROS, PONEROU) and is also rendered: KJV: evil; GDSP: bad. The English word is related to “witch” and in its extreme forms means bad moral character, evil, depraved. The Greek means hurtful or malicious, so it is rooted in what is unkind and unloving toward others. The word has some range and the Nazarene, perhaps sarcastically, even calls his disciples “wicked.” Compare Matthew 7:11; Luke 11:13. Consider what is involved in wickedness and how they all violate the Golden Rule: Matthew 15:19, “For out of the heart proceed wicked thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, perjury, impiety of speech.” (Weymouth) Mark 7:21-23, “For from within, out of the heart of men, the evil reasonings do come forth, adulteries, whoredoms, murders, thefts, covetous desires, wickedness, deceit, arrogance, an evil eye, evil speaking, pride, foolishness; all these evils do come forth from within, and they defile the man.” (Young)

[12] Wicked treasure: As a person grows – like a tree – certain traits and characteristics are developing and evolving. Everyone has stored up something in attitudes and personality attributes. Some, however, have saved or stored up a treasure with a bent toward wickedness. Essentially wickedness is that character which is self-seeking, unloving, and without faith. It is the ego gone amuck.

[13] Every fruitless word: The Greek is AERGOS and rooted in ERGON (work) and means “non-working” or idle. It is a word spoken when one is relaxed, not on guard. A word revealing the true character. Or, KJV: every idle word; TCNT: every careless word; RHM: every useless expression; NEB: thoughtless word. The Greek may mean a word or a message. The word here in the context was “Beelzebul” directed against Jesus. This is not a mere slip of the lip for none are perfect in their speech (James 3:1-3; 1 John 1:8; 1 Kings 8:46; Proverbs 20:9). This is evilly motivated out of jealous hatred. Ancient Greek playwright said: “A man’s character can be known by his words.” Pythagoras offered: “Choose rather to fling a chance stone than to speak a chance word.”

“Beelzebub and them that are with him shoot arrows.” an illustration from the Henry Altemus edition of The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan, published in 1678. Illustrations by Fred Barnard (1846–1896) Blue pencil

[14] Held to account: Or, KJV: give account; NWT: accountable; NAS: render account. Jesus makes clear we will answer for every wicked word on Judgment Day. In the audience was someone who spoke an unforgivable word, “Beelzebul.” A name of accusation against the power behind the Nazarene. Now, surely, his error comes back upon his head to haunt him. Paul expresses something similar in 2 Corinthians 5:10; and, John does so in 1 John 2:28; 4:17. There are two outcomes for he Christian during the parousia-judgment: a clear conscience or shame and embarrassment (Daniel 12:2; 1 John 2:28).

[15] Judgment Day: See notes on Matthew 7:3; 11:22. Compare Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20:12-14.

[16] Declared ‘Not Guilty’: The Greek is DIKAIOTHESE and is generally rendered “justified.” RIEU: acquitted; NWT: declared righteous. Note the basis for judgment by Jesus: it is our mouth. Surely a heart full of love will never speak wickedness against another. In the context before us the words are a horror: accusing another of being demonized or apostate (Matthew 5:22).

[17] Accursed: Or, KJV: condemned. It is the same word for “justified” above with the addition of the preposition: KATA-DIKASTHESE. The idea is “Guilty!”

+

Preceding

The Nazarene master teacher learning people how they should behave

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 5:1-12 Nazarene Mountain teachings: Blessed and legal commentaries

Matthew 7:1-11 – The Nazarene’s Commentary on Neighbor Love Continued 7: Matthew 7:1-5 Judgment and neighbor love

Matthew 7:12 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Summary on the Torah’s Fulfillment

Matthew 7:13-27 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #4 Matthew 7:24-27 – Conclusion

Matthew 7:13-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #5 Matthew 7:28-29 – The Crowd’s Reaction

Matthew 7:15-20 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #2 False prophets and fruitage

Matthew 12:1-8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Something Greater than the Temple

Matthew 12:9-21 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Is It Lawful to Cure on the Sabbath?

Matthew 12:22-30 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: the Charge of Demonism

Matthew 12:31-32 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Blasphemy against the Pneuma

++

Additional reading

1. Ability
2. Looking for True Spirituality 5 Fruitage of the Spirit
3. The giving and protecting God
4. Good and bad things in this world
5. Belief of the things that God has promised
6. Spread love everywhere you go
7. Growth in character
8. Let us become nothing, and Christ everything
9. Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness
10. Kindness

+++

Related

1. Using “Theocratic Language” with Jehovah’s Witnesses
2. The Love We Have
3. A plan of sheer goodness
4. Today’s Fragrance: Reckless Love
5. Today’s Word.
6. God Does Not Promise Teddy Bears
7. Today’s Thought: What Everything Hangs On
8. The Knowledge of Good
9. Showing Goodness
10. Fruit of Goodness
11. Goodness — God is pleased with the good works of his people
12. Speaking The Truth in Love
13. Why Spread Beauty?
14. Sin, Righteousness, Judgment
15. What do righteousness, sanctification and baptism mean?

Matthew 7:15-20 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #2 False prophets and fruitage

MT7:15 You, be alert for false prophets[1] who come to you dressed as sheep[2] but inside are rapacious wolves.[3] MT7:16 By their fruitage you will know them![4] No one ever gathers grapes from thorns[5] or figs from thistles! MT7:17 Thus, every good tree bears good fruitage,[6] but rotten trees, wicked fruitage. MT7:18 No good tree bears wicked fruitage,[7] nor a rotten tree good fruitage. MT7:19 Every tree not bearing good fruitage is cut down and thrown into the Fire. MT7:20 And, so, from their fruitage you will know them.

False teachers – Bowyer Bible Gospels print 3572 By their works you shall know them Passeri

[1] False prophets: Not only is The Way narrow and cramped but there are deceitful individuals who make the journey even more difficult. The Nazarene describes these as “false prophets.” He uses this designation 4 times in the Gospels (Matthew 7:15; 24:11, 24; Luke 6:26). Peter uses it once (2 Peter 2:1) and John once (1 John 4:1). False prophets disguise themselves, which would indicate some motive (Luke 6:43, 44). Various renderings are: PHI: false religious teachers; GDSP: disguised as sheep; PHI: greedy wolves.

The most often used context in the Nazarene’s teachings where he uses the designation “false prophets” are those who predict ‘the appointed time is near’ (Luke 21:8); or claim, ‘The Christ is here!’ (Mark 13:21) (Or, ‘I am the Anointed.’ Matthew 24:4)

These “false prophets” must also be among those who the Nazarene describes later as ones who say, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not speak before others, exorcise demons, do dynamic works, all in your name?’ (Matthew 7:21-23)

The subject of “false prophets” was one that Moses, a proto-type of Messiah, also took up at Deuteronomy 13:1-10 and 18:20-22, with two identifying characteristics: a) lead others to false gods; and, b) foretell events which do not occur.

[2] Dressed as sheep: Paul echoes this when he says that some false brothers from among the Corinthian elders appear as ‘angels of light’ or ‘messengers of righteousness.’ (2 Corinthians 11:3, 14,15) Jude calls them ‘rocks hidden below water.’ (Jude verse 12) The Nazarene foretold their success when he said, ‘For pseudo-anointed and false prophets will rise and give great signs and portents to mislead, if possible, the Elect.’ (Matthew 24:24)

[3] Rapacious wolves: Paul uses a similar description when he warns a gathering of elders, ‘After my departure, oppressive wolves, not sparing the flock, will rise among you, speaking twisted things.’ (Acts 20:29) Elsewhere he describes such “false brothers” as ‘pseudo-apostles, deceitful workers who appear as angels of light and servants of righteousness.’ (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

[4] By their fruitage you will know them: Signs are certainly not a way to recognize true prophets. False prophets are identifiable by: a) an oppressive nature which places burdens on the flock; b) false prophecies about appointed times which prove untrue; c) claim of Christ’s authority as an elitist priesthood or singular channel; d) claims of “signs” as proof of Christ’s backing.

The Nazarene later uses the word “lawless” which would mean breaking the commandments of Christ. This word “lawless” crops up at Matthew 13:41; 24:12. It ought to be clear that one of the major areas of concern when considering “false prophets” is whether what they have foretold comes true or not.

[5] No one ever gathers grapes from thorns: Various renderings: NEB: can grapes be picked from briars.

[6] Every good tree bears good fruitage: See Luke 6:43. Various renderings: a good tree always yields good fruit; WMS: sickly tree… poor fruit.

[7] No good tree bears wicked fruitage: This infers that a good tree always produces nothing but good fruit. If a tree would produce even one rotten fruit then it would at least call into question its “claims.” Various renderings: TCNT: by the fruit of their lives you will know such men.

+

Preceding articles

Nazarene Commentary Luke 3:7-9 – Vipers, Repent!

Nazarene Commentary Luke 3:10-14 – “What Shall We Do?”

Nazarene Commentary Luke 3:15-17 – The Baptisms of the One Coming

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 3:7-12 – Opposition and Two Baptisms

Matthew 7:1-11 – The Nazarene’s Commentary on Neighbor Love Continued 7: Matthew 7:1-5 Judgment and neighbor love

Matthew 7:12 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Summary on the Torah’s Fulfillment

Matthew 7:13-14 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #1 The Narrow Gate and the way to destruction

The sin of partiality

Back from gone #4 Your inner feelings and actions

Object of first woe

++

Additional reading

1. Your position about materialistic desires having conquered the world
2. Fruits of the spirit will prevent you from being either inactive or unfruitful
3. Looking for True Spirituality 5 Fruitage of the Spirit
4. Looking for True Spirituality 8 Measuring Up
5. Pain, sanctification and salvation
6. Good Morning January 25 We are theologians
7. Bearing fruit
8. Several Christians fail to recognise the Chosen ones of God and are not taking on a Christian attitude
9. James 2:14-23 — Justified Dynamic Faith & works

+++

Further additional reading

1. Phillip Medhurst presents Bowyer Bible Gospels print 3572 By their works you shall know them Passeri
2. Phillip Medhurst presents Bowyer Bible print 3586 A tree is known by its fruits Matthew 7:16-19 Passeri
3. Fruit of the Holy Spirit
4. Bearing Fruits
5. Practically Speaking
6. Narrow Or Wide Gate?
7. The Narrow Road Of Discipleship
8. Build Your House On The Rock
9. False Prophets 1
10. False Prophets 2
11. False Prophets 3
12. Discernment
13. What does it mean, you will recognize them by their fruits?
14. What fruit do you produce?
15. Strong Roots and a Good Foundation
16. Matthew 7 – Wisdom and Freedom
    Good and Bad Fruit
17. There is a wolf nipping at your soul
18. Signs and directions
19. Is it Fruit yet?
20. Log?..What log?
21. In The Shadow Of A Great Cathedral, I Learned That Ordinary, Daily Life Has Great Dignity (A Footsteps Friday Post)
22. Day 11 – Observing our fruit
23. A Plague on All Our Houses: Racism in American Theatre

It is difficult to accept that we each play a part—regardless of how small—in perpetuating racism in our society. We are products of our time, and although our legislation and current President would suggest that we are post-racism, we are actually far from it. Instead, we live in a nation still reeling from the Civil […]

+++

Related articles

• What you sow, you will reap
• Westminster Confession Of Faith – Lord’s Day 35
• The Call Of Abraham
• Despite honor code concerns, Air Force ROTC stay at BYU
• These Christians have banded together to fight for equal marriage
• Evangelical churches back Sereno amid impeachment complaints
• Breeches, knee socks and frock coats – meet the children starting school in Britain’s oldest uniform
• Churchgoers hold car wash to raise funds for Harvey victims
• A La Carte (August 14)