He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

MATTHEW 13:28KJV
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Matthew 13:28 (KJV)

What does Matthew 13:28 mean?

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.

The Greek behind Matthew 13:28

  • "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.

Why Matthew 13:28 matters

  • 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.

Where else these words appear

“gather” Greek G4816 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
  • Matthew 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
  • 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;

“enemy” Greek G2190 · used in 32 verses

  • Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
  • Luke 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

“said” Greek G5346 · used in 57 verses

  • Matthew 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
  • Luke 22:70 Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.
  • Acts 23:17 Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.

“go” Greek G565 · used in 118 verses

  • Matthew 2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
  • Mark 5:20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.
  • Luke 24:12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.