Matthew 13:28
He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔφη
He said
G5346
ἔφη
He said
Strong's:
G5346
Word #:
3 of 18
to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e., speak or say
αὐτά
them
G846
αὐτά
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 18
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Ἐχθρὸς
An enemy
G2190
Ἐχθρὸς
An enemy
Strong's:
G2190
Word #:
5 of 18
hateful (passively, odious, or actively, hostile); usually as a noun, an adversary (especially satan)
ἐποίησεν
hath done
G4160
ἐποίησεν
hath done
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
8 of 18
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δοῦλοι
The servants
G1401
δοῦλοι
The servants
Strong's:
G1401
Word #:
11 of 18
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
αὐτά
them
G846
αὐτά
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 18
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Θέλεις
Wilt thou
G2309
Θέλεις
Wilt thou
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
14 of 18
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
Historical Context
The enemy's covert sowing reflects real agricultural sabotage in the ancient world, documented in Roman law (Twelve Tables). Spiritually, this addresses first-century questions about why Messiah's kingdom includes false disciples—shouldn't Messiah purge all evil immediately? The servants' eagerness to 'gather them up' mirrors Jewish expectations of Messiah's immediate judgment, which Jesus's parable corrects by introducing delay until harvest.
Questions for Reflection
- How does identifying Satan as the enemy of God's work change your understanding of evil's presence in the church?
- Where do you see the servants' zealous desire to 'gather up tares'—impatient judgment that won't wait for God's timing?
- What balance must church leaders strike between purity and patience—addressing clear evil while allowing time for unclear cases?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
He said unto them, An enemy hath done this (ἐχθρὸς ἄνθρωπος τοῦτο ἐποίησεν)—the master immediately identifies the source: not negligence, not defective seed, but hostile action. Jesus's interpretation (v. 39) clarifies: the enemy is the devil. This absolves God of evil's origin while asserting His sovereign control—evil operates only by permission within parameters God sets.
The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? (θέλεις οὖν ἀπελθόντες συλλέξωμεν αὐτά;)—the servants' zealous desire to purge tares reflects human impulse toward immediate judgment. They want instant justice, pure community, visible separation. The question 'Wilt thou?' acknowledges the master's authority while advocating aggressive action. This represents immature zeal that would 'root up' questionable members rather than exercise patience until final judgment.