Bible Strands
Matthew 13:28
‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. So the servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The field owner replies to his servants, who have just questioned the origin of the weeds in his field. He identifies a human agent as the source of the contamination before they propose immediate removal.
The words — ἐχθρὸς (echthros) means "enemy," and ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) means "a man," together forming the phrase "a man, an enemy." The verb ἐποίησεν (epoiēsen) literally denotes the completed action of doing or causing this.
The thread — Luke 9:49 records disciples trying to stop an unauthorized exorcist, and 1 Thessalonians 5:14 commands patience over rash correction. These passages parallel the field owner’s restraint against premature judgment.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that not all corruption warrants immediate human removal. It requires restraint until the harvest, leaving final separation to the owner’s timing.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 5:3 Although I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, and I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14 And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.
- Luke 9:49 “Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us.”
- 2 Corinthians 2:6 The punishment imposed on him by the majority is sufficient for him.
- Jude 1:22 And indeed, have mercy on those who doubt;