King James Version

What Does Matthew 13:41 Mean?

Matthew 13:41 in the King James Version says “The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them wh... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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; things: or, scandals

Matthew 13:41 · KJV


Context

39

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

40

As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

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; things: or, scandals

42

And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

43

Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Son of man shall send forth his angels (ἀποστελεῖ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου τοὺς ἀγγέλους αὐτοῦ, apostelei ho huios tou anthrōpou tous angelous autou)—Christ commands angelic hosts at the Second Coming (Matthew 24:31, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8). They shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend (πάντα τὰ σκάνδαλα, panta ta skandala—literally 'all stumbling blocks') and them which do iniquity (τοὺς ποιοῦντας τὴν ἀνομίαν, tous poiountas tēn anomian—'those practicing lawlessness').

Two categories are removed: provocations to sin (skandala) and those characterized by habitual lawlessness. 'His kingdom' refers to the visible, professing church from which impostors are purged. The present participle poiountas ('practicing') suggests lifestyle, not occasional failure—these are persistent evildoers who never truly knew Christ (Matthew 7:23).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This teaching anticipates the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15) and the separation of sheep from goats (Matthew 25:31-46). The early church faced antinomian false teachers who claimed grace permitted lawlessness (Jude 4, Romans 6:1-2)—this verse refutes cheap grace.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's role as Judge using angels challenge modern sentimentality about 'gentle Jesus'?
  2. What is the difference between occasional sin (which all believers commit) and the 'lawlessness' that characterizes tares?
  3. Does your life pattern demonstrate kingdom citizenship, or does persistent 'anomia' suggest you might be a tare among wheat?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
ἀποστελεῖ1 of 22

shall send forth

G649

set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively

2 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

υἱὸς3 of 22

The Son

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

τοῦ4 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀνθρώπου5 of 22

of man

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

τοὺς6 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀγγέλους7 of 22

angels

G32

compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor

αὐτοῦ8 of 22
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ9 of 22

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

συλλέξουσιν10 of 22

they shall gather

G4816

to collect

ἐκ11 of 22

out of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τῆς12 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

βασιλείας13 of 22

his kingdom

G932

properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)

αὐτοῦ14 of 22
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

πάντα15 of 22

all things

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τὰ16 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σκάνδαλα17 of 22

that offend

G4625

a trap-stick (bent sapling), i.e., snare (figuratively, cause of displeasure or sin)

καὶ18 of 22

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τοὺς19 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ποιοῦντας20 of 22

them which do

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

τὴν21 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀνομίαν22 of 22

iniquity

G458

illegality, i.e., violation of law or (genitive case) wickedness


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 13:41 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 13:41 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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