Question 1

What does Matthew 13:28 mean?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 13:28 records Jesus explaining that an enemy is responsible for sowing weeds among the wheat, and the servants ask if they should go and pull the weeds up. The verse shows a moment of realization and a question about how to respond to the problem caused by the enemy. In this scene, Jesus is telling a parable to a crowd, using the story of a farmer whose field has been sabotaged. The "enemy" refers to someone acting with harmful intent, and the servants are eager to fix the situation by removing the weeds. The verse sets up the tension between immediate action and waiting for the right time, which Jesus addresses in the following verses.

Question 2

The Greek behind Matthew 13:28

Accepted Answer

"enemy" (ἐχθρός, echthros): This word means a personal adversary or someone with hostile intent. Its use here highlights that the problem in the field is not accidental but the result of someone’s deliberate opposition. "gather them up" (συλλέγω, syllegō): This verb means to collect or gather together, often used for harvest. The servants’ question is about taking decisive action to remove the problem, not just noticing it.

Question 3

Why Matthew 13:28 matters

Accepted Answer

Matthew 13:28 clarifies that the presence of evil or trouble is not from the owner (God, in the parable), but from an outside adversary, addressing questions about the source of problems in the world. The verse highlights the servants’ eagerness to act, which sets up Jesus’ teaching about patience and discernment in dealing with evil, a point he develops in the following verses. This moment connects to the larger message of the parable, which is about the coexistence of good and evil until the time of judgment, helping readers understand why immediate removal is not always the chosen response.

Matthew 13:28 (KJV)