Passage 1: Genesis 20-21
(Gen 20:1) Afterward Abraham departed thence toward the South countrey and dwelled betweene Cadesh and Shur, and soiourned in Gerar.
(Notes Reference) And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and (a) Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.
(a) Which was toward Egypt.
(Gen 20:2) And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister. Then Abimelech King of Gerar sent and tooke Sarah.
(Notes Reference) And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, (b) She [is] my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.
(b) Abraham had now twice fallen into this sin: such is man's frailty.
(Gen 20:3) But God came to Abimelech in a dreame by night, and said to him, Beholde, thou art but dead, because of the woman, which thou hast taken: for she is a mans wife.
(Notes Reference) But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, (c) thou [art but] a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she [is] a man's wife.
(c) So greatly God detests the breach of marriage.
(Gen 20:4) (Notwithstanding Abimelech had not yet come neere her) And he said, Lord, wilt thou slay euen the righteous nation?
(Notes Reference) But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also (d) a righteous nation?
(d) The infidels confessed that God would not punish but for just occasion: therefore, when he punishes, the occasion is just.
(Gen 20:5) Said not he vnto me, She is my sister? yea, and she her selfe said, He is my brother: with an vpright minde, and innocent handes haue I done this.
(Notes Reference) Said he not unto me, She [is] my sister? and she, even she herself said, He [is] my brother: in the integrity of my (e) heart and (f) innocency of my hands have I done this.
(e) As one falling by ignorance, and not doing evil on purpose.
(f) Not thinking to do any man harm.
(Gen 20:6) And God saide vnto him by a dreame, I knowe that thou diddest this euen with an vpright minde, and I kept thee also that thou shouldest not sinne against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touche her.
(Notes Reference) And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also (g) withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.
(g) God by his holy Spirit restrains those who offend in ignorance, that they not fall into greater offence..
(Gen 20:7) Now then deliuer the man his wife againe: for he is a Prophet, and he shall pray for thee that thou mayest liue: but if thou deliuer her not againe, be sure that thou shalt die the death, thou, and all that thou hast.
(Notes Reference) Now therefore restore the man [his] wife; for he [is] a (h) prophet, and he (i) shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore [her] not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that [are] thine.
(h) That is, one to whom God reveals himself familiarly.
(i) For the prayer of the godly is of force towards God.
(Gen 20:8) Then Abimelech rising vp early in ye morning, called all his seruants, and tolde all these things vnto them, and the men were sore afraid.
(Gen 20:9) Afterward Abimelech called Abraham, and said vnto him, What hast thou done vnto vs? and what haue I offeded thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdome this great sinne? thou hast done things vnto me that ought not to be done.
(Notes Reference) Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my (k) kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done.
(k) The wickedness of the king brings God's wrath on the whole realm.
(Gen 20:10) So Abimelech said vnto Abraham, What sawest thou that thou hast done this thing?
(Gen 20:11) Then Abraham answered, Because I thought thus, Surely the feare of God is not in this place, and they will slay me for my wiues sake.
(Notes Reference) And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the (l) fear of God [is] not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.
(l) He shows that no honesty can be hoped for, where there is no fear of God.
(Gen 20:12) Yet in very deede she is my sister: for she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother, and she is my wife.
(Notes Reference) And yet indeed [she is] my (m) sister; she [is] the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.
(m) By sister, he means his full cousin, and by daughter Abraham's niece, (Gen 11:29) for so the Hebrews use these words.
(Gen 20:13) Nowe when God caused me to wander out of my fathers house, I said then to her, This is thy kindnes that thou shalt shewe vnto me in all places where we come, Say thou of me, He is my brother.
(Gen 20:14) Then tooke Abimelech sheepe and beeues, and men seruants, and women seruants, and gaue them vnto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.
(Gen 20:15) And Abimelech saide, Beholde, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee.
(Gen 20:16) Likewise to Sarah he said, Beholde, I haue giuen thy brother a thousand pieces of siluer: behold, he is the vaile of thine eyes to all that are with thee, and to all others: and she was thus reproued.
(Notes Reference) And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand [pieces] of silver: behold, he [is] to thee a (n) covering of the eyes, unto all that [are] with thee, and with all [other]: (o) thus she was reproved.
(n) Such a head as with whom you may be preserved from all dangers.
(o) God caused this heathen king to reprove her because she concealed her identity, seeing that God had given her a husband as her veil and defence.
(Gen 20:17) Then Abraham prayed vnto God, and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his women seruants: and they bare children.
(Gen 20:18) For the Lord had shut vp euery wombe of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abrahams wife.
(Notes Reference) For the LORD (p) had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.
(p) Had taken away from them the gift of conceiving.
(Gen 21:1) Nowe the Lord visited Sarah, as he had saide, and did vnto her according as he had promised.
(Gen 21:2) For Sarah conceiued, and bare Abraham a sonne in his olde age, at the same season that God tolde him.
(Notes Reference) For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his (a) old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.
(a) Therefore the miracle was greater.
(Gen 21:3) And Abraham called his sonnes name that was borne vnto him, which Sarah bare him, Izhak.
(Gen 21:4) Then Abraham circumcised Izhak his sonne, when he was eight dayes olde, as God had commanded him.
(Gen 21:5) So Abraham was an hundreth yeere olde, when his sonne Izhak was borne vnto him.
(Gen 21:6) Then Sarah said, God hath made me to reioyce: all that heare will reioyce with me.
(Gen 21:7) Againe she said, Who would haue saide to Abraham, that Sarah shoulde haue giuen children sucke? for I haue borne him a sonne in his olde age.
(Notes Reference) And she said, (b) Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born [him] a son in his old age.
(b) She accuses herself of ingratitude, that she did not believe the angel.
(Gen 21:8) Then the childe grewe and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Izhak was weaned.
(Gen 21:9) And Sarah sawe the sonne of Hagar the Egyptian (which she had borne vnto Abraham) mocking.
(Notes Reference) And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, (c) mocking.
(c) He derided God's promise made to Isaac which the apostle calls persecution (Gal 4:29).
(Gen 21:10) Wherefore she saide vnto Abraham, Cast out this bond woman and her sonne: for ye sonne of this bonde woman shall not be heire with my sonne Izhak.
(Gen 21:11) And this thing was very grieuous in Abrahams sight, because of his sonne.
(Gen 21:12) But God said vnto Abraham, Let it not be grieuous in thy sight for the childe, and for thy bonde woman: in all that Sarah shall say vnto thee, heare her voyce: for in Izhak shall thy seede be called.
(Notes Reference) And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be (d) called.
(d) The promised seed will be from Isaac, and not from Ishmael, (Rom 9:7; Heb 11:18).
(Gen 21:13) As for the sonne of the bond woman, I will make him a nation also, because he is thy seede.
(Notes Reference) And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make (e) a nation, because he [is] thy seed.
(e) The Ishmaelites will come from him.
(Gen 21:14) So Abraham arose vp early in ye morning, and tooke bread, and a bottell of water, and gaue it vnto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the childe also, and sent her away: who departing wandred in the wildernesse of Beer-sheba.
(Notes Reference) And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave [it] unto Hagar, putting [it] on her shoulder, and the child, and (f) sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.
(f) True faith renounces all natural affections to obey God's commandment.
(Gen 21:15) And when the water of the bottell was spent, she cast the childe vnder a certaine tree.
(Gen 21:16) Then she went and sate her ouer against him a farre off about a bowe shoote: for she said, I will not see the death of the child. and she sate downe ouer against him, and lift vp her voyce and wept.
(Gen 21:17) Then God heard the voyce of ye childe, and the Angel of God called to Hagar from heauen, and said vnto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? feare not, for God hath heard the voyce of the childe where he is.
(Notes Reference) And God (g) heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he [is].
(g) For his promise sake made to Abraham; and not because the child had discretion and judgment to pray.
(Gen 21:18) Arise, take vp the childe, and holde him in thine hand: for I will make of him a great people.
(Gen 21:19) And God opened her eyes, and she sawe a well of water. so she went and filled the bottell with water, and gaue the boy drinke.
(Notes Reference) And God (h) opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.
(h) Unless God opens our eyes, we can neither see, nor use the means which are before us.
(Gen 21:20) So God was with the childe, and he grewe and dwelt in the wildernesse, and was an archer.
(Notes Reference) And God was (i) with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.
(i) Concerning outward things God caused him to prosper.
(Gen 21:21) And he dwelt in the wildernesse of Paran, and his mother tooke him a wife out of the land of Egypt.
(Gen 21:22) And at that same time Abimelech and Phichol his chief captaine spake vnto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest.
(Gen 21:23) Nowe therefore sweare vnto me here by God, that thou wilt not hurt me, nor my children, nor my childrens children: thou shalt deale with me, and with the countrey, where thou hast bene a stranger, according vnto the kindnesse that I haue shewed thee.
(Gen 21:24) Then Abraham said, I will sweare.
(Notes Reference) And Abraham said, I will (k) swear.
(k) So that it is a lawful thing to take an oath in matters of importance, to justify the truth, and to assure others of our sincerity.
(Gen 21:25) And Abraham rebuked Abimelech for a well of water, which Abimelechs seruants had violently taken away.
(Gen 21:26) And Abimelech saide, I knowe not who hath done this thing: also thou toldest me not, neither heard I of it but this day.
(Notes Reference) And Abimelech said, (l) I wot not who hath done this thing: neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I [of it], but to day.
(l) Wicked servants do many evils unknown to their masters.
(Gen 21:27) Then Abraham tooke sheepe and beeues, and gaue them vnto Abimelech: and they two made a couenant.
(Gen 21:28) And Abraham set seuen lambes of the flocke by themselues.
(Gen 21:29) Then Abimelech said vnto Abraham, What meane these seuen lambes, which thou hast set by themselues?
(Gen 21:30) And he answered, Because thou shalt receiue of mine hand these seuen lambes, that it may be a witnes vnto me, that I haue digged this well.
(Gen 21:31) Wherefore the place is called Beer-sheba, because there they both sware.
(Gen 21:32) Thus made they a couenant at Beer-sheba: afterward Abimelech and Phichol his chiefe captaine rose vp, and turned againe vnto the land of the Philistims.
(Notes Reference) Thus they made a (m) covenant at Beersheba: then Abimelech rose up, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines.
(m) Thus we see that the godly, concerning outward things may make peace with the wicked that do not know the true God.
(Gen 21:33) And Abraham planted a groue in Beer-sheba, and called there on the Name of ye Lord, the euerlasting God.
(Notes Reference) And [Abraham] planted a grove in Beersheba, and (n) called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.
(n) That is, he worshipped God in all points of true religion.
(Gen 21:34) And Abraham was a stranger in the Philistims land a long season.
Passage 2: Psalms 23-25
(Psa 23:1) A Psalme of David. The Lord is my shepheard, I shall not want.
(Notes Reference) "A Psalm of David." The LORD [is] my shepherd; (a) I shall not want.
(a) He has care over me and ministers all things to me.
(Psa 23:2) He maketh me to rest in greene pasture, and leadeth me by the still waters.
(Psa 23:3) He restoreth my soule, and leadeth me in the paths of righteousnesse for his Names sake.
(Notes Reference) He (b) restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the (c) paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
(b) He comforts or refreshes me.
(c) Plain or straight ways.
(Psa 23:4) Yea, though I should walke through the valley of the shadowe of death, I will feare no euill: for thou art with me: thy rod and thy staffe, they comfort me.
(Notes Reference) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the (d) shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
(d) Though he was in danger of death, as the sheep that wanders in the dark valley without his shepherd.
(Psa 23:5) Thou doest prepare a table before me in the sight of mine aduersaries: thou doest anoynt mine head with oyle, and my cuppe runneth ouer.
(Notes Reference) Thou preparest a (e) table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou (f) anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
(e) Even though his enemies sought to destroy him, yet God delivers him, and deals most liberally with him in spite of them.
(f) As was the manner of great feasts.
(Psa 23:6) Doubtlesse kindnesse and mercie shall follow me all the dayes of my life, and I shall remaine a long season in the house of the Lord.
(Notes Reference) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the (g) house of the LORD for ever.
(g) He does not set his happiness in the pleasures of this world, but in the fear and service of God.
(Psa 24:1) A Psalme of David. The earth is the Lordes, and all that therein is: the worlde and they that dwell therein.
(Psa 24:2) For he hath founded it vpon the seas: and established it vpon the floods.
(Notes Reference) For he hath founded it upon the (a) seas, and established it upon the floods.
(a) He notes two things: the one, that the earth to man's judgment seems above the waters: and next, that God miraculously preserves the earth, that it is not drowned with the waters, which naturally are above it.
(Psa 24:3) Who shall ascende into the mountaine of the Lord? and who shall stand in his holy place?
(Psa 24:4) Euen he that hath innocent handes, and a pure heart: which hath not lift vp his minde vnto vanitie, nor sworne deceitfully.
(Psa 24:5) He shall receiue a blessing from the Lord, and righteousnesse from the God of his saluation.
(Psa 24:6) This is the generation of them that seeke him, of them that seeke thy face, this is Iaakob. Selah.
(Notes Reference) This [is] the (b) generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.
(b) Though circumcision separates the carnal seed of Jacob, from the Gentiles, yet he who seeks God, is the true Jacob and an Israelite.
(Psa 24:7) Lift vp your heads ye gates, and be ye lift vp ye euerlasting doores, and the King of glory shall come in.
(Notes Reference) (c) Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
(c) David desires the building up of the temple, in which the glory of God should appear and under the figure of this temple, he also prays for the spiritual temple, which is eternal because of the promise which was made to the temple, as it is written, (Psa 132:14).
(Psa 24:8) Who is this King of glorie? the Lord, strong and mightie, euen the Lord mightie in battell.
(Psa 24:9) Lift vp your heads, ye gates, and lift vp your selues, ye euerlasting doores, and the King of glorie shall come in.
(Psa 24:10) Who is this King of glory? the Lord of hostes, he is the King of glorie. Selah.
(Psa 25:1) A Psalme of David. Unto thee, O Lord, lift I vp my soule.
(Notes Reference) "[A Psalm] of David." Unto thee, (a) O LORD, do I lift up my soul.
(a) I did not put my trust in any worldly thing.
(Psa 25:2) My God, I trust in thee: let me not be confounded: let not mine enemies reioyce ouer mee.
(Notes Reference) O my God, I (b) trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
(b) That you will take away my enemies, which are your rods.
(Psa 25:3) So all that hope in thee, shall not be ashamed: but let them be confounded, that transgresse without cause.
(Psa 25:4) Shew me thy waies, O Lord, and teache me thy paths.
(Notes Reference) (c) Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
(c) Retain me in the faith of your promise that I swore not on any side.
(Psa 25:5) Leade me foorth in thy trueth, and teache me: for thou art the God of my saluation: in thee doe I trust all the day.
(Notes Reference) Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou [art] the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait (d) all the day.
(d) Constantly and against all temptations.
(Psa 25:6) Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies, and thy louing kindnesse: for they haue beene for euer.
(Psa 25:7) Remember not the sinnes of my youth, nor my rebellions, but according to thy kindenesse remember thou me, euen for thy goodnesse sake, O Lord.
(Notes Reference) Remember not the (e) sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.
(e) He confesses that his many sins were the reason that his enemies persecuted him, desiring that the cause of the evil may be taken away, so that the effect may cease.
(Psa 25:8) Gracious and righteous is the Lord: therefore will he teache sinners in the way.
(Notes Reference) Good and upright [is] the LORD: therefore will he (f) teach sinners in the way.
(f) That is, call them to repentance.
(Psa 25:9) Them that be meeke, will hee guide in iudgement, and teach the humble his way.
(Notes Reference) The meek will he (g) guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
(g) He will govern and comfort them that are truly humbled for their sins.
(Psa 25:10) All the pathes of the Lord are mercie and trueth vnto such as keepe his couenant and his testimonies.
(Psa 25:11) For thy Names sake, O Lord, be merciful vnto mine iniquitie, for it is great.
(Notes Reference) For thy (h) name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it [is] great.
(h) For no other respect.
(Psa 25:12) What man is he that feareth the Lord? him wil he teache the way that hee shall chuse.
(Notes Reference) What (i) man [is] he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way [that] he shall (k) choose.
(i) Meaning, the number is very small.
(k) He will direct such with his spirit to follow the right way.
(Psa 25:13) His soule shall dwell at ease, and his seede shall inherite the land.
(Notes Reference) His soul shall dwell at (l) ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
(l) He will prosper both in spiritual and corporal things.
(Psa 25:14) The secrete of the Lord is reueiled to them, that feare him: and his couenant to giue them vnderstanding.
(Notes Reference) The (m) secret of the LORD [is] with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
(m) His counsel contained in his word, by which he declares that he is the protector of the faithful.
(Psa 25:15) Mine eyes are euer towarde the Lord: for he will bring my feete out of the net.
(Psa 25:16) Turne thy face vnto mee, and haue mercie vpon me: for I am desolate and poore.
(Psa 25:17) The sorowes of mine heart are enlarged: drawe me out of my troubles.
(Notes Reference) The troubles of my heart (n) are enlarged: [O] bring thou me out of my distresses.
(n) My grief is increased because of my enemies cruelty.
(Psa 25:18) Looke vpon mine affliction and my trauel, and forgiue all my sinnes.
(Psa 25:19) Beholde mine enemies, for they are manie, and they hate me with cruell hatred.
(Notes Reference) Consider mine (o) enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.
(o) The greater that his afflictions were and the more that his enemies increased, the more near he felt God's help.
(Psa 25:20) Keepe my soule, and deliuer me: let me not be confounded, for I trust in thee.
(Psa 25:21) Let mine vprightnes and equitie preserue me: for mine hope is in thee.
(Notes Reference) Let (p) integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.
(p) As I have behaved myself uprightly toward my enemies, let them know that you are the defender of my just cause.
(Psa 25:22) Deliuer Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
Passage 3: Matthew 13
(Mat 13:1) The same day went Iesus out of the house, and sate by the sea side.
(Mat 13:2) And great multitudes resorted vnto him, so that he went into a ship, and sate downe: and the whole multitude stoode on the shore.
(Notes Reference) (1) And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
(1) Christ shows in putting forth this parable of the sower, that the seed of life which is sown in the world does not do as well in one as in another, and the reason for this is that men for the most part, either do not receive it, or do not permit it to ripen.
(Mat 13:3) Then he spake many things to them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sowe.
(Mat 13:4) And as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the foules came and deuoured them vp.
(Mat 13:5) And some fell vpon stony grounde, where they had not much earth, and anon they sprong vp, because they had no depth of earth.
(Mat 13:6) And when the sunne was vp, they were parched, and for lacke of rooting, withered away.
(Mat 13:7) And some fell among thornes, and the thornes sprong vp, and choked them.
(Mat 13:8) Some againe fel in good ground, and brought forth fruite, one corne an hundreth folde, some sixtie folde, and another thirtie folde.
(Mat 13:9) He that hath eares to heare, let him heare.
(Mat 13:10) Then the disciples came, and said to him, Why speakest thou to them in parables?
(Mat 13:11) And he answered, and said vnto them, Because it is giuen vnto you, to know the secretes of the kingdome of heauen, but to the it is not giue.
(Notes Reference) (2) He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
(2) The gift of understanding and faith is given only to the elect, and all the rest are blinded through the just judgment of God.
(Mat 13:12) For whosoeuer hath, to him shalbe giuen, and he shall haue abundance: but whosoeuer hath not, from him shalbe taken away, euen that he hath.
(Mat 13:13) Therefore speake I to them in parables, because they seeing, doe not see: and hearing, they heare not, neither vnderstand.
(Mat 13:14) So in them is fulfilled the prophecie of Esaias, which prophecie saieth, By hearing, ye shall heare, and shall not vnderstand, and seeing, ye shall see, and shall not perceiue.
(Mat 13:15) For this peoples heart is waxed fat, and their eares are dull of hearing, and with their eyes they haue winked, lest they should see with their eyes, and heare with their eares, and should vnderstand with their hearts, and should returne, that I might heale them.
(Mat 13:16) But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your eares, for they heare.
(Notes Reference) (3) But blessed [are] your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
(3) The condition of the Church under and since Christ, is better than it was in the time of the fathers under the law.
(Mat 13:17) For verely I say vnto you, that many Prophets, and righteous men haue desired to see those things which ye see, and haue not seene them, and to heare those things which ye heare, and haue not heard them.
(Mat 13:18) Heare ye therefore ye parable of ye sower.
(Mat 13:19) Whensoeuer any man heareth the woorde of that kingdome, and vnderstandeth it not, that euil one commeth, and catcheth away that which was sowen in his heart: and this is he which hath receiued the seede by the way side.
(Notes Reference) When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth [it] not, then cometh the wicked [one], and catcheth away that which was sown in his (a) heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
(a) Though there is mention made of the heart, yet this sowing is referred to as hearing without understanding. For whether the seed is received in the heart or not, yet he that sows, sows to the heart.
(Mat 13:20) And hee that receiued seede in the stonie grounde, is he which heareth the woorde, and incontinently with ioy receiueth it,
(Mat 13:21) Yet hath he no roote in himselfe, and dureth but a season: for assoone as tribulation or persecution commeth because of the woorde, by and by he is offended.
(Mat 13:22) And hee that receiued the seede among thornes, is hee that heareth the woorde: but the care of this worlde, and the deceitfulnesse of riches choke the word, and he is made vnfruitfull.
(Mat 13:23) But he that receiued the seede in the good ground, is he that heareth the worde, and vnderstandeth it, which also beareth fruite, and bringeth foorth, some an hundreth folde, some sixtie folde, and some thirtie folde.
(Mat 13:24) Another parable put hee foorth vnto them, saying, The kingdome of heauen is like vnto a man which sowed good seede in his fielde.
(Notes Reference) (4) Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
(4) Christ shows in another parable of the evil seed mixed with the good, that the Church will never be free and rid of offences, both in doctrine and manners, until the day appointed for the restoring of all things comes, and therefore the faithful have to arm themselves with patience and steadfastness.
(Mat 13:25) But while men slept, there came his enemie, and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his waie.
(Mat 13:26) And when the blade was sprong vp, and brought forth fruite, then appeared the tares also.
(Mat 13:27) Then came the seruaunts of the housholder, and sayd vnto him, Master, sowedst not thou good seede in thy fielde? from whence then hath it tares?
(Mat 13:28) And hee said to them, Some enuious man hath done this. Then the seruants saide vnto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them vp?
(Mat 13:29) But he saide, Nay, lest while yee goe about to gather the tares, yee plucke vp also with them the wheat.
(Mat 13:30) Let both growe together vntill the haruest, and in time of haruest I will say to the reapers, Gather yee first the tares, and binde them in sheaues to burne them: but gather the wheate into my barne.
(Mat 13:31) Another parable he put foorth vnto them, saying, The kingdome of heauen is like vnto a graine of mustard seede, which a man taketh and soweth in his fielde:
(Notes Reference) (5) Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
(5) God begins his kingdom with very small beginnings so that by its growing (even though men neither hope nor expect it to) his mighty power and working may be displayed all the more.
(Mat 13:32) Which in deede is the least of all seedes: but when it is growen, it is the greatest among herbes, and it is a tree, so that the birdes of heauen come and builde in the branches thereof.
(Mat 13:33) Another parable spake hee to them, The kingdome of heauen is like vnto leauen, which a woman taketh and hideth in three pecks of meale, till all be leauened.
(Mat 13:34) All these thinges spake Iesus vnto the multitude in parables, and without parables spake he not to them,
(Mat 13:35) That it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the Prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables, and will vtter the thinges which haue beene kept secrete from the foundation of the worlde.
(Mat 13:36) Then sent Iesus the multitude away, and went into the house. And his disciples came vnto him, saying, Declare vnto vs the parable of the tares of that fielde.
(Mat 13:37) Then answered he, and saide to them, He that soweth the good seede, is the Sonne of man.
(Notes Reference) (6) He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
(6) He expounds the first parable of the good and evil seed.
(Mat 13:38) And the field is the worlde, and the good seede are the children of the kingdome, and the tares are the children of that wicked one.
(Mat 13:39) And the enemie that soweth them, is the deuill, and the haruest is the end of the worlde, and the reapers be the Angels.
(Mat 13:40) As then the tares are gathered and burned in ye fire, so shall it be in the end of this world.
(Mat 13:41) The Sonne of man shall send forth his Angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which doe iniquitie,
(Mat 13:42) And shall cast them into a fornace of fire. There shalbe wailing and gnashing of teeth.
(Mat 13:43) Then shall the iust men shine as ye sunne in the kingdome of their Father. Hee that hath eares to heare, let him heare.
(Mat 13:44) Againe, the kingdom of heauen is like vnto a treasure hid in ye field, which when a man hath found, he hideth it, and for ioy thereof departeth and selleth all that he hath, and buieth that field.
(Notes Reference) (7) Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
(7) Few men understand how great the riches of the kingdom of heaven are, and that no man can be a partaker of them but he that redeems them with the loss of all his goods.
(Mat 13:45) Againe, the kingdome of heauen is like to a marchant man, that seeketh good pearles,
(Mat 13:46) Who hauing found a pearle of great price, went and solde all that he had, and bought it.
(Mat 13:47) Againe, the kingdom of heauen is like vnto a drawe net cast into the sea, that gathereth of all kindes of things.
(Notes Reference) (8) Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
(8) There are many in the Church who nevertheless are not of the Church, and therefore at length will be cast out: but the full and perfect cleansing of them is deferred to the last day.
(Mat 13:48) Which, when it is full, men draw to lande, and sit and gather the good into vessels, and cast the bad away.
(Mat 13:49) So shall it be at the end of the world. The Angels shall goe foorth, and seuer the bad from among the iust,
(Mat 13:50) And shall cast them into a fornace of fire: there shalbe wailing, and gnashing of teeth.
(Mat 13:51) Iesus saide vnto them, Vnderstand yee all these things? They saide vnto him, Yea, Lord.
(Notes Reference) (9) Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.
(9) They ought to be diligent, who have to be wise not only for themselves, but who have to dispense the wisdom of God to others.
(Mat 13:52) Then sayd hee vnto them, Therefore euery Scribe which is taught vnto the kingdome of heauen, is like vnto an householder, which bringeth foorth out of his treasure things both newe and olde.
(Mat 13:53) And it came to passe, that when Iesus had ended these parables, he departed thence,
(Mat 13:54) And came into his owne countrey, and taught them in their Synagogue, so that they were astonied, and saide, Whence commeth this wisdome and great woorkes vnto this man?
(Notes Reference) (10) And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this [man] this wisdom, and [these] mighty works?
(10) Men not only sin because of ignorance, but also knowingly and willingly they lay stumbling blocks in their own ways, that when God calls them, they may not obey, and so most plainly destroy and cast away themselves.
(Mat 13:55) Is not this the carpenters sonne? Is not his mother called Marie, and his brethren Iames and Ioses, and Simon and Iudas?
(Mat 13:56) And are not his sisters all with vs? Whence then hath he all these things?
(Mat 13:57) And they were offended with him. Then Iesus said to them, A Prophet is not without honour, saue in his owne countrey, and in his owne house.
(Mat 13:58) And he did not many great woorkes there, for their vnbeliefes sake.