Matthew 13:41
The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
Original Language Analysis
ἀποστελεῖ
shall send forth
G649
ἀποστελεῖ
shall send forth
Strong's:
G649
Word #:
1 of 22
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱὸς
The Son
G5207
υἱὸς
The Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
3 of 22
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀγγέλους
angels
G32
ἀγγέλους
angels
Strong's:
G32
Word #:
7 of 22
compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 22
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐκ
out of
G1537
ἐκ
out of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
11 of 22
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βασιλείας
his kingdom
G932
βασιλείας
his kingdom
Strong's:
G932
Word #:
13 of 22
properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 of 22
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
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σκάνδαλα
that offend
G4625
σκάνδαλα
that offend
Strong's:
G4625
Word #:
17 of 22
a trap-stick (bent sapling), i.e., snare (figuratively, cause of displeasure or sin)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ποιοῦντας
them which do
G4160
ποιοῦντας
them which do
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
20 of 22
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
Cross References
Matthew 24:31And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.Revelation 21:27And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.Matthew 18:7Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!Hebrews 1:14Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?Romans 2:16In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.Matthew 13:49So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
Historical Context
This teaching anticipates the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15) and the separation of sheep from goats (Matthew 25:31-46). The early church faced antinomian false teachers who claimed grace permitted lawlessness (Jude 4, Romans 6:1-2)—this verse refutes cheap grace.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's role as Judge using angels challenge modern sentimentality about 'gentle Jesus'?
- What is the difference between occasional sin (which all believers commit) and the 'lawlessness' that characterizes tares?
- Does your life pattern demonstrate kingdom citizenship, or does persistent 'anomia' suggest you might be a tare among wheat?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The Son of man shall send forth his angels (ἀποστελεῖ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου τοὺς ἀγγέλους αὐτοῦ, apostelei ho huios tou anthrōpou tous angelous autou)—Christ commands angelic hosts at the Second Coming (Matthew 24:31, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8). They shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend (πάντα τὰ σκάνδαλα, panta ta skandala—literally 'all stumbling blocks') and them which do iniquity (τοὺς ποιοῦντας τὴν ἀνομίαν, tous poiountas tēn anomian—'those practicing lawlessness').
Two categories are removed: provocations to sin (skandala) and those characterized by habitual lawlessness. 'His kingdom' refers to the visible, professing church from which impostors are purged. The present participle poiountas ('practicing') suggests lifestyle, not occasional failure—these are persistent evildoers who never truly knew Christ (Matthew 7:23).