The Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 13:12

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Matthew only in this context, but found in the parallel passages shortly after the explanation of this parable—Mark 4:25; Luke 8:18. The same saying is found in Matthew 25:29 (the talents) and Luke 19:26 (the pounds).

For. The reason of God's action spoken of in the preceding verse. It is based on the following principle. Whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance. The last phrase (Matthew only) is probably dub to a reminiscence of the form in which the saying was uttered at a much later period in our Lord's ministry, where it arises naturally out of the parable (Matthew 25:29).

But whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. A paradox. What he already possesses, if it is so small as to be not worth speaking of, shall be lost to him. Luke's "thinketh he hath" calls attention to the superficial character of the man's mind.

The unfit ground loses the seed it receives (cf. the remarks at the beginning of this chapter).

More for Matthew 13:12

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Matthew Henry on Matthew 13:1-23Matthew 13:1-23 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryJesus entered into a boat that he might be the less pressed, and be the better heard by the people. By this he teaches us in the outward circumstances of worship not to covet that which is stately, but to make the best…The Parable of the Sower; Why Christ Taught in Parables; Of the Sower and the SeedMatthew 13:1-23 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleTHE PARABLE OF THE SOWER; WHY CHRIST TAUGHT IN PARABLES; OF THE SOWER AND THE SEED. We have here Christ preaching, and may observe, 1. When Christ preached this sermon; it was the same day that he preached the sermon in…The Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 13:1-23Matthew 13:1-23 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe parable of the sower. I. THE CIRCUMSTANCES. 1. The time. It was the day, St. Matthew says (the order in St. Luke is different), on which our Lord had cast the devil out of the blind and dumb man; the day on which th…The Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 13:1-58Matthew 13:1-58 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION A few remarks by way of introduction to the characteristic portion of this chapter (Matthew 13:1-52). (a), Matthew 13:1-23, also in Mark and Luke, except some characteristic enlargements in verses 10-17. The…The Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 13:1-23Matthew 13:1-23 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe beginning of parables. Utilize introduction to dwell on the plain assertions of Matthew 13:10-17. However deep their real theological meaning, however mysterious their significance in respect of the sovereign conduc…The Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 13:3-23Matthew 13:3-23 · The Pulpit CommentaryParable of the sower. The object of this parable is to explain the causes of the failure and success of the gospel. It might have been supposed enough to proclaim the kingdom. Why does this fail? It fails, says our Lord…

commentaryMatthew Henry on Matthew 13:1-23Jesus entered into a boat that he might be the less pressed, and be the better heard by the people. By this he teaches us in the outward circumstances of worship not to covet that which is stately, but to make the best…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Parable of the Sower; Why Christ Taught in Parables; Of the Sower and the SeedTHE PARABLE OF THE SOWER; WHY CHRIST TAUGHT IN PARABLES; OF THE SOWER AND THE SEED. We have here Christ preaching, and may observe, 1. When Christ preached this sermon; it was the same day that he preached the sermon in…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 13:1-23The parable of the sower. I. THE CIRCUMSTANCES. 1. The time. It was the day, St. Matthew says (the order in St. Luke is different), on which our Lord had cast the devil out of the blind and dumb man; the day on which th…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 13:1-23The beginning of parables. Utilize introduction to dwell on the plain assertions of Matthew 13:10-17. However deep their real theological meaning, however mysterious their significance in respect of the sovereign conduc…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 13:1-58EXPOSITION A few remarks by way of introduction to the characteristic portion of this chapter (Matthew 13:1-52). (a), Matthew 13:1-23, also in Mark and Luke, except some characteristic enlargements in verses 10-17. The…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 13:3-23Parable of the sower. The object of this parable is to explain the causes of the failure and success of the gospel. It might have been supposed enough to proclaim the kingdom. Why does this fail? It fails, says our Lord…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 13:10-17The reason why Christ spoke to the multitudes in parables. The question of the disciples (Matthew 13:10). Christ's antithesis—You are the recipients of God's gift; they are not (Matthew 13:11). This is not arbitrary, bu…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 13:10-17The reason of the parable. After our Lord had discoursed in parables to the multitude assembled on the seashore, his disciples inquired of him why he used that mode of teaching, for hitherto he had spoken in simple and…Joseph S. Exell and contributors