Out of His Kingdom

Matthew 13:34-43

Key Verse 41: “The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers,”.

1. Read verses 34-35. Why did Jesus speak to the crowds in parables?
2. V36.Why is it significant that Jesus and his disciples went into the house? What happened inside the house?
3. V37-39. Who are the good seeds (wheat)? Who sows the good seed? What does this teach us about Jesus' ministry?
4. Who are the weeds? Who sowed the weeds? Why is it important to be aware of this?
5. Where is God's kingdom located? (V38 & 41) What does the kingdom of heaven look like before the end of the age and after the end of the age?
6. What do the weeds do according to verse 41? What is a ‘cause of sin’? (Matthew 18:6-7) What is a ‘Law-breaker’? (Matthew 23:27-28 )
7. V41-43. Why does the act of the angels removing the weeds, the causes of sin and law-breakers make the righteous to shine like the sun in the kingdom?
8. What can we learn from the explanation of the weeds parable?

Out of His Kingdom

Matthew 13:34-43

Key Verse 41: “The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers.”

Summary

• In Matthew 13:24-30 Jesus told a parable to the crowds about a sower who sowed a field of wheat. After some time, the servants discovered that weeds had also been planted in the field by an enemy. The servants were instructed to not uproot the weeds lest they inadvertently damage the wheat. The servants were instructed to wait until the end when the reapers would reap and sort the field.
• In today’s passage, Jesus gives the explanation of this weeds and wheat parable. We learn that the Son of Man, Jesus is the one who sows the good wheat seeds and that the wheat are the sons of the kingdom of heaven.
• We also learn that the enemy, the evil one sowed bad weed seeds and that these are the sons of the devil. What is tricky about today’s example is that the weed can be mistaken for wheat. This work of the evil one is something we should be aware of.
• The weeds are described in verse 41 as the causes of sin and law-breakers. This shows that while we are instructed to leave the weeds alone, we can’t completely ignore the weeds as they may influence others or cause others to sin.
• In the end all evil will be removed from the kingdom of heaven and the righteous will shine like the sun.
• What can we learn from today’s passage?

1. Read verses 34-35. Why did Jesus speak to the crowds in parables?
   1. By speaking in parables, Jesus was able to deliver the secrets of the kingdom of heaven to those who were worthy, to those interested in learning more about Jesus and his kingdom, and to those who had ears to hear, while simultaneously speaking openly to the crowd and keeping the secrets hidden.
   2. Note that the prophet Asaph from Psalm 78:2 is what is being quoted.
2. V36.Why is it significant that Jesus and his disciples went into the house? What happened inside the house?
   1. Jesus “opened” his mouth and brought forth hidden wisdom for all people. However, it was the disciples, who committed themselves to doing God’s will, who were given a chance to go “into the house” and ask for the meaning of the parable and its wisdom.
   2. Jesus invites us to come to him and to come into his house. He invites those who want to learn from him to come to him and get wisdom and understanding. The disciples went to Jesus and came into the house and into a more personal setting where Jesus could explain the parable without the crowds present. We should always try to come to Jesus, listen to him, do what he commands, and dwell with him in his house so we can get insight and learn the secret truths of the kingdom.
3. V37-39. Who are the good seeds (wheat)? Who sows the good seed? What does this teach us about Jesus' ministry?
   1. In Matthew 13:1-23, we learn that the seed is the word of the kingdom of heaven. However, in today’s passage the good seeds (wheat) are defined as the sons of the kingdom. The connection is that sons of the kingdom naturally receive and obey the words and truths of the kingdom and grow as wheat to maturity and bear grain/fruit.
   2. “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.” Jesus’ ministry is to spread the word of his kingdom and create sons of his kingdom who hear and understand and do his words. As Jesus’ children, we grow and mature under his care and bear grain which then produces more seeds, more words of his kingdom. These 2nd generation seeds/words can help nurture and create more good seeds/children of God. In this way we can participate in Jesus’ ministry and do what he is doing and ourselves become sowers.
4. Who are the weeds? Who sowed the weeds? Why is it important to be aware of this?
   1. The weeds are the children of the devil, yet they look like wheat at first. What does this teach us? People in the world that are atheists or pagans that do not believe in God most likely will not resemble wheat. However, Pharisees and hypocrites do tend to look like children of God but aren't. (See Matthew 23:27-28 )
   2. How do people like Pharisees and hypocrites grow? (See James 3:13-18). These are those who may have religious qualities, and look religious and godly, but are fundamentally driven and led by earthly demonic wisdom such as selfish ambition, disorder, and other vile practices. Instead of receiving and understanding the words of the kingdom sown by Jesus, they are receiving the words of satan’s kingdom. Though they make efforts to look good on the outside, on the inside they are full of lawlessness which can be deceiving.
   3. Why is it important to be aware of the existence and origin of the weeds? To protect the wheat and beware of “wolf in sheep’s clothing”.
5. Where is God's kingdom located? (V38 & 41) What does the kingdom of heaven look like before the end of the age and after the end of the age?
   1. In verse 38 Jesus says: “The field is the world”. In verse 41 Jesus says: “The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers,”. This shows the kingdom of heaven is on earth now, but is not yet perfect while on earth, in this age, and mixed with weeds.
   2. Verse 41 and 43 show that this problem will be resolved at the end of the age when the reapers/angels gather all causes of sin and law-breakers out of the kingdom.
   3. After the end of the age, all that will be remaining will be the sons of the kingdom whose righteous will shine like the sun.
6. What do the weeds do according to verse 41? What is a ‘cause of sin’? (Matthew 18:6-7 ) What is a ‘Law-breaker’? (Matthew 23:27-28 )
   1. The weeds are not harmless. According to verse 41 they have the potential to influence others and even cause others to sin.
   2. A law-breaker is an important term and it is a good idea to clarify that we are not talking about someone who is trying to obey the law but sins by mistake or out of weakness. I.e. Someone who gets a speeding ticket because they weren't paying attention and went too fast without realizing it. A law-breaker is someone that is purposefully disregarding the law. They are speeding past the speed limit all the time because they don't care what the speed limit sign says and show no regard for the law.
7. V41-43. Why does the act of the angels removing the weeds, the causes of sin and law-breakers make the righteous to shine like the sun in the kingdom?
   1. Often believers and sons of the kingdom may not always feel righteous due to our weaknesses and temptations. However, after the end of the age and the judgment, those who are truly the sons of the kingdom will be tested and proven to be true, and their righteousness will shine like the sun.
8. What can we learn from the explanation of the weeds parable?
   1. We learn that what the Son of Man, Jesus, sows is good and righteous. But there is also an evil one who is sowing. We need to be aware and watchful of the evil one’s sowing practice. Not only of the sowing of his children (law-breakers), but also of the different causes of sin that he sows when people are sleeping, so that we may not stumble or become ensnared.
   2. The weeds are described in verse 41as the causes of sin and law-breakers. This shows that while we are instructed to leave the weeds alone, we can’t completely ignore the weeds as they may cause others to sin.
   3. How can we best avoid being affected by the evil one’s weed sowing? To receive the sowing of the Son of Man (Hear and understand the words of his kingdom) that are good and righteous, so that we may bear fruit and be clearly set apart during this age.
   4. In verses 37-43 Jesus reveals that his kingdom before the “end of the age” has corruption in it which will be removed in the end. This may be a surprise for those who are removed for they will weep and gnash their teeth. As we’ve seen in other places in Matthew, this removal is not anticipated by many people (those who build on sand, those who say “Lord, Lord” but do not know Jesus).