CHAP. XXIII.
Matt. viii. 12. Matt. xxi. 43. God’s kingdom on earth the visible church.
First, then, these tares are such sinners as are opposite and contrary to the children of the kingdom, visibly so declared and manifest, ver. 38.[112]Now the kingdom of God below is the visible church of Christ Jesus, according to Matt. viii. 12. The children of the kingdom, which are threatened to be cast out, seem to be the Jews, which were then the only visible church in covenant with the Lord, when all other nations followed other gods and worships. And more plain is that fearful threatening, Matt. xxi. 43,The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation that will bring forth the fruits thereof.
The distinction between the wheat and the tares, as also between these tares and all other.
Such, then, are the good seed, good wheat, children of the kingdom, as are the disciples, members, and subjects of the Lord Jesus Christ, his church and kingdom: and therefore, consequently, such are the tares, as are opposite to these, idolaters, will-worshippers, not truly but falsely submitting to Jesus: and in especial, the children of the wicked one, visibly so appearing. Which wicked one I take not to be the devil; for the Lord Jesus seems to make them distinct:He that sows the good seed, saith he,is the Son of man; the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked, or wickedness;the enemy that soweth them is the devil.
The original here τοῦ πονηροῦ, agrees with that, Lukexi. 4,Deliver usἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ,from evil, or wickedness; opposite to the children of the kingdom and the righteousness thereof.