The Meaning of Matthew 13:39 Explained

Matthew 13:39

KJV: The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

YLT: and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is a full end of the age, and the reapers are messengers.

Darby: and the enemy who has sowed it is the devil; and the harvest is the completion of the age, and the harvestmen are angels.

ASV: and the enemy that sowed them is the devil: and the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are angels.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

<1161> The enemy  that sowed  them  is  the devil;  the harvest  is  the end  of the world;  and  the reapers  are  the angels. 

What does Matthew 13:39 Mean?

Study Notes

devil
Satan. Br. diabolos, accuser. See note, Matthew 16:23 ; Genesis 3:1 ; Revelation 20:10 .
angels .
Satan, Summary: This fearful being, apparently created one of the cherubim (See Scofield " Ezekiel 1:5 ") See Scofield " Ezekiel 28:12 " and anointed for a position of great authority, perhaps over the primitive creation, (note 3); See Scofield " Genesis 1:2 " Ezekiel 28:11-15 fell through pride Isaiah 14:12-14 His "I will" Isaiah 14:13 marks the introduction of sin into the universe. Cast out of heaven Luke 10:18 he makes earth and air the scene of his tireless activity; Ephesians 2:2 ; 1 Peter 5:8 . After the creation of man he entered into the serpent. See Scofield " Genesis 3:1 ", and, beguiling Eve by his subtilty, secured the downfall of Adam and through him of the race, and the entrance of sin into the world of men Romans 5:12-14 .
The Adamic Covenant (See Scofield " Genesis 3:14 ") promised the ultimate destruction of Satan through the "Seed of the woman." Then began his long warfare against the work of God in behalf of humanity, which still continues. The present world-system Revelation 13:8 organized upon the principle of force, greed, selfishness, ambition, and sinful pleasure, is his work and was the bribe which he offered to Christ Matthew 4:8 ; Matthew 4:9 . Of that world-system he is prince; John 14:30 ; John 16:11 and god 2 Corinthians 4:4 . As "prince of the power of the air" Ephesians 2:2 he is at the head of vast host of demons. See Scofield " Matthew 7:22 ". To him, under God, was committed upon earth the power of death Hebrews 2:14 . Cast out of heaven as his proper sphere and "first estate," he still has access to God as the "accuser of the brethren" Revelation 12:10 and is permitted a certain power of sifting or testing the self-confident and carnal among believers; Job 1:6-11 ; Luke 22:31 ; Luke 22:32 ; 1 Corinthians 5:5 ; 1 Timothy 1:20 but this is strictly permissive and limited power, and believers so sifted are kept in faith through the advocacy of Christ Luke 22:31 ; Luke 22:32 . See Scofield " 1 John 2:1 ". At the beginning of the great tribulation Satan's privilege of access to God as accuser will be withdrawn Revelation 12:7-12 . At the return of Christ in glory Satan will be bound for one thousand years Revelation 20:2 after which he will be "loosed for a little season" Revelation 20:3 ; Revelation 20:7 ; Revelation 20:8 and will become the head of final effort to overthrow the kingdom. Defeated in this, he will be finally cast into the lake of fire, his final doom. The notion that he reigns in hell is Miltonic, not biblical. He is prince of this present world-system, but will be tormented in the lake of fire.
angels
Angel, Summary: Angel, "messenger," is used of God, of men, and of an order of created spiritual beings whose chief attributes are strength and wisdom. 2 Samuel 14:20 ; Psalms 103:20 ; Psalms 104:4 . In the O.T. the expression "the angel of the Lord" (sometimes "of God") usually implies the presence of Deity in angelic form.; Genesis 16:1-13 ; Genesis 21:17-19 ; Genesis 22:11-16 ; Genesis 31:11-13 ; Exodus 3:2-4 ; Judges 2:1 ; Judges 6:12-16 ; Judges 13:3-22 (See Scofield " Malachi 3:1 ") . The word "angel" is used of men in; Luke 7:24 ; James 2:25 ; Revelation 1:20 ; Revelation 2:1 ; Revelation 2:8 ; Revelation 2:12 ; Revelation 2:18 ; Revelation 3:1 ; Revelation 3:7 ; Revelation 3:14 In Revelation 8:3-5 . Christ is evidently meant. Sometimes angel is used of the spirit of man.; Matthew 18:10 ; Acts 12:15 . Though angels are spirits; Psalms 104:4 ; Hebrews 1:14 power is given them to become visible in the semblance of human form. Genesis 19:1 cf; Genesis 19:5 ; Exodus 3:2 ; Numbers 22:22-31 ; Judges 2:1 ; Judges 6:11 ; Judges 6:22 ; Judges 13:3 ; Judges 13:6 ; 1 Chronicles 21:16 ; Acts 12:7-10 ; Matthew 1:20 ; Luke 1:26 ; John 20:12 ; Acts 7:30 ; Acts 12:7 ; Acts 12:8 etc.). The word is always used in the masculine gender, though sex, in the human sense, is never ascribed to angels.; Matthew 22:30 ; Mark 12:25 . They are exceedingly numerous.; Matthew 26:53 ; Hebrews 12:22 ; Revelation 5:11 ; Psalms 68:17 . The power is inconceivable. 2 Kings 19:35 . Their place is about the throne of God.; Revelation 5:11 ; Revelation 7:11 . Their relation to the believer is that of "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation," and this ministry has reference largely to the physical safety and well-being of believers.; 1 Kings 19:5 ; Psalms 34:7 ; Psalms 91:11 ; Daniel 6:22 ; Matthew 2:13 ; Matthew 2:19 ; Matthew 4:11 ; Luke 22:43 ; Acts 5:19 ; 1 Chronicles 21:20 . From; Hebrews 1:14 ; Matthew 18:10 ; Psalms 91:11 it would seem that this care for the heirs of salvation begins in infancy and continues through life. The angels observe us; 1 Corinthians 4:9 ; Ephesians 3:10 ; Ecclesiastes 5:6 a fact which should influence conduct. They receive departing saints. Luke 16:22 . Man is made "a little lower than the angels," and in incarnation Christ took "for a little "time" this lower place.; Psalms 8:4 ; Psalms 8:5 ; Hebrews 2:6 ; Hebrews 2:9 that He might lift the believer into His own sphere above angels. Hebrews 2:9 ; Hebrews 2:10 . The angels are to accompany Christ in His second advent. Matthew 25:31 . To them will be committed the preparation of the judgment of the nations. Matthew 13:30 ; Matthew 13:39 ; Matthew 13:41 ; Matthew 13:42 . See Scofield " Matthew 25:32 ". The kingdom-age is not to be subject to angels, but to Christ and those for whom He was made a little lower than the angels. Hebrews 2:5 An archangel, Michael, is mentioned as having a particular relation to Israel and to the resurrections.; Daniel 10:13 ; Daniel 10:21 ; Daniel 12:1 ; Daniel 12:2 ; Judges 1:9 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:16 . The only other angel whose name is revealed Gabriel, was employed in the most distinguished services.; Daniel 8:16 ; Daniel 9:21 ; Luke 1:19 ; Luke 1:26 .
Fallen angels. Two classes of these are mentioned:
(1) "The angels which kept not their first estate place, but left their own habitation," are "chained under darkness," awaiting judgment. 2 Peter 2:4 ; Judges 1:6 ; 1 Corinthians 6:3 ; John 5:22 .
(See Scofield " Genesis 6:4 ")
(2) The angels who have Satan Genesis 3:1 as leader.
(See Scofield " Revelation 20:10 ") .
The origin of these is nowhere explicitly revealed. They may be identical with the demons.
(See Scofield " Matthew 7:22 ") . For Satan and his angels everlasting fire is prepared. Matthew 25:41 ; Revelation 20:10 .

Context Summary

Matthew 13:34-43 - Genuine And Counterfeit
Throughout the Synoptic Gospels-Matthew, Mark, and Luke-a consistent distinction is made between the outer ranks of the people, or disciples, and the inner circle of Apostles. May we not emphasize the same distinction still? We have among us many who are clearly disciples. They cannot as yet formulate or endorse the full creed of the Church, but if they are true to their convictions and follow the gleam, the Master will bring them to the decision of Peter, Matthew 16:16.
This world is God's field. All the good in it has reached it through Jesus Christ. Fundamentally there are but two classes, for the disciple belongs to Christ, though He has not yet come into the perfect light. Notice that the people who cause stumbling are placed with those who do iniquity, and each class is thrown on the rubbish heap. Ponder the despair with which we shall view wasted opportunities, as we look back on them from eternity-weeping for softer natures, and wailing for weaker ones. Let us not trifle away the golden chances of life! [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 13

1  The parable of the sower and the seed;
18  the explanation of it
24  The parable of the weeds;
31  of the mustard seed;
33  of the leaven;
36  explanation of the parable of the weeds
44  The parable of the hidden treasure;
45  of the pearl;
47  of the drag net cast into the sea
53  Jesus is a prophet without honor in his own country

What do the individual words in Matthew 13:39 mean?

- and the enemy having sown them is the devil the harvest [the] consummation of the age - the harvesters angels are
δὲ ἐχθρὸς σπείρας αὐτά ἐστιν διάβολος θερισμὸς συντέλεια αἰῶνός οἱ θερισταὶ ἄγγελοί εἰσιν

  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἐχθρὸς  the  enemy 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἐχθρός  
Sense: hated, odious, hateful.
σπείρας  having  sown 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἐπισπείρω 
Sense: to sow, scatter, seed.
διάβολος  devil 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: διάβολος  
Sense: prone to slander, slanderous, accusing falsely.
θερισμὸς  the  harvest 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: θερισμός  
Sense: harvest, the act of reaping.
συντέλεια  [the]  consummation 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: συντέλεια  
Sense: completion, consummation, end.
αἰῶνός  of  the  age 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: αἰών  
Sense: for ever, an unbroken age, perpetuity of time, eternity.
οἱ  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
θερισταὶ  the  harvesters 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: θεριστής  
Sense: a reaper.
ἄγγελοί  angels 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἄγγελος  
Sense: a messenger, envoy, one who is sent, an angel, a messenger from God.