Yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
21. when tribulation or persecution ariseth ] Jesus forecasts the persecution of Christians, and the time when “the love of many shall wax cold,” ch. Mat 24:12.
is offended ] See note, ch. Mat 5:29. All things are not so smooth as he expected. The prospect of the cross took all enthusiasm away from Judas. Perhaps even Mark was “offended” for the moment at Perga.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 21. Yet hath he not root in himself] His soul is not deeply convinced of its guilt and depravity; the fallow ground is not properly ploughed up, nor the rock broken. When persecution, c., ariseth, which he did not expect, he is soon stumbled – seeks some pretext to abandon both the doctrine and followers of Christ. Having not felt his own sore, and the plague of his heart, he has not properly discovered that this salvation is the only remedy for his soul: thus he has no motive in his heart strong enough to counteract the outward scandal of the cross so he endureth only for the time in which there is no difficulty to encounter, no cross to bear.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Yet hath he not root in himself,…. Nor in Christ; the word is not rooted in him, nor has he the root of the matter, or the truth of grace in him:
but dureth for a while; a hearer of the word, a professor of religion, showing some outward respect to the word, and to the preachers of it:
for when tribulation or persecution ariseth, because of the word; which is often the case, and must be expected by those who embrace the Gospel, profess the name of Christ, and are willing to live godly in him. Tribulation may intend some lesser and lighter troubles for the sake of Christ, and his Gospel; such as the revilings and reproaches of men, loss of character, and trade, c. and persecution may design something more public and vehement such as confiscation of goods, imprisonment, and danger of life, the most exquisite tortures, and death in the most cruel form and shape; things very disagreeable to flesh and blood, and which cannot be endured, and submitted to, by persons without a principle of grace, by one that has no root in himself. Luke calls this a time “of temptation”, or trial, as it is either way, both by private troubles, and more public persecutions: these try men’s principles and professions, and whether the truth of grace is in them or not; and where it is not in any person,
by and by he is offended; at the cross; he shrinks back from it, does not care to take it up, and follow Christ; but drops his religion, and the profession of it; apostatises, falls away, and comes to nothing.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Yet hath he not root in himself ( ). Cf. Col 2:7 and Eph 3:18 . Stability like a tree. Here the man has a mushroom growth and “endureth for a while” (), temporary, quick to sprout, quick to stumble (). What a picture of some converts in our modern revivals. They drop away overnight because they did not have the root of the matter in them. This man does not last or hold out.
Tribulation (). From , to press, to oppress, to squeeze (cf. 7:14). The English word is from the Latin tribulum, the roller used by the Romans for pressing wheat. Cf. our “steam roller” Trench (Synonyms of the N.T., pp. 202-4): “When, according to the ancient law of England, those who wilfully refused to plead, had heavy weights placed on their breasts, and were pressed and crushed to death, this was literally .” The iron cage was .
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Dureth for a while [ ] . Rev., endureth. Lit., is temporary : thus bringing out the quality of the hearer. He is a creature of circumstances, changing as they change. Wyc., is temporal, with explanation, lasteth but a little time.
For [] . Rev. better, and, for the following clause does not give a reason for the temporariness, but adds something to the description of the hearer.
Tribulation [] . qlibw, to press or squeeze. Tribulation is perhaps as accurate a rendering as is possible, being derived from tribulum, the threshing – roller of the Romans. In both the idea of pressure is dominant, though qliyiv does not convey the idea of separation (as of corn from husk) which is implied in tribulatio. Trench cites, in illustration of qliyiv, pressure, the provision of the old English law, by which those who wilfully refused to plead had heavy weights placed on their breasts, and so were pressed and crushed to death (” Synonyms of the New Testament “).
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Yet hath he not root in himself,” (ouk echei de hrizan en te auto) “Yet he has no root in himself,” Mr 4:17, he received with fleshly excitement the word, but not with heart affection and comprehension of redemption and salvation’s call to separated living and service to the Lord, Eph 2:8-10; Luk 9:23; Joh 14:15; Joh 15:14; Jas 1:22.
2) “But dureth for a while:” (alla proskairos estin) “But he (this one) is short-lived,” has a short period of profession and commitment to the call of the word, because the natural man neither receives nor follows righteousness, except after regeneration, controlled by the new, inner or spiritual man, 2Co 2:14; Rom 8:14-16.
3) “For when tribulation or persecution ariseth,” (gervomenes de thlipseos he diogmou) “Then when tribulation or persecution occurs,” when the professed way becomes rough, for all who will live Godly in Christ Jesus, Mat 5:10-12; 2Ti 3:12.
4) “Because of the Word,” (dia ton logon) “On account of the Word,” as a result of the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, 1Pe 4:14; Rev 19:10.
5) “By and by he is offended.” (euthus skandalizetai), “He is immediately (impulsively) offended,” Luk 8:13; Gal 5:7. He falls away from the shallow profession he emotionally and impulsively made, Heb 6:4-6; Heb 10:34; Act 14:22.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
21. When affliction or persecution ariseth on account of the word. By way of example, Christ says that such persons are made uneasy by the offense of the cross. And certainly, as the heat of the sun discovers the barrenness of the soil, so persecution and the cross lay open the vanity of those, who are slightly influenced by I know not what desire, but are not actually moved by earnest feelings of piety. Such persons, according to Matthew and Mark, are temporary, (204) not only because, having professed, for a time, that they are the disciples of Christ, they afterwards fall away through temptation, but because they imagine that they have true faith. According to Luke, Christ says that they believe for a time; because that honor which they render to the Gospel resembles faith. (205) At the same time we ought to learn, that they are not truly regenerated by the incorruptible seed, which never fadeth, as Peter tells us, (1Pe 1:4😉 for he says that these words of Isaiah, The word of God endureth for ever, (Isa 40:8; 1Pe 1:25,) are fulfilled in the hearts of believers, in whom the truth of God, once fixed, never passes away, but retains its vigor to the end. Still, those persons who take delight in the word of God, and cherish some reverence for it, do in some manner believe; for they are widely different from unbelievers, who give no credit to God when he speaks, or who reject his word. In a word, let us learn that none are partakers of true faith, except those who are scaled with the Spirit of adoption, and who sincerely call on God as their Father; and as that Spirit is never extinguished, so it is impossible that the faith, which he has once engraven on the hearts of the godly, shall pass away or be destroyed.
(204) “ Temporels, c’est a dire, de petite duree;” — “temporary, that is to say, of short duration.”
(205) “ Ressemble aucunement a la foy;” — “somewhat resembles faith.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(21) Yet hath he not root in himself.The root is obviously the conviction which ripens into a purpose and strikes its fibres deep down into reason, conscience, and will.
Tribulation or persecution.It is hardly necessary, or indeed possible, to draw any sharp line of demarcation between the two. Persecution implies, perhaps, a more organised attack, and therefore greater suffering; tribulation, the thousand petty annoyances to which every convert to the faith of Christ was exposed in the first age of the Church, and to which, it may be added, even now most men and women who seek to be Christians in deed as well as in name are at some time or other in their lives exposed. The words explain the time of temptation in St. Lukes report (Luk. 8:13).
By and by he is offended.The adverb is the same as the anon of Mat. 13:20, and means immediately. The rapidity of the renegade matches that of the convert. Such a man finds a stumbling-block in the sufferings he is called to endure, and turns into a smoother path.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
21. Not root dureth for a while His religion is without root, and so is only the surface-stirring of natural emotions. When the momentary cause or occasion disappears, he loses both the feeling and the appearance. So the convert who, in a revival, acts upon mere outside excitement, is among the first to be missing when the special movement is past. Tribulation or persecution If a superficial professor does not drop off from mere cessation of excitement, a little trouble, a little opposition or contempt of the world, brushes him off. There may be much lukewarmness and much inconsistency in the Church, but perhaps less permanent hypocrisy than many suppose. Offended Ensnared and led into evil.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Mat 13:21 . Description of one whose mind is so stirred as instantly to welcome the word with joy, but who, when subjected to the testing influence of affliction, abandons his faith and relapses into his former condition. Such an one is without root in his own inner being, i.e . he is destitute of that faith (Eph 3:16 f.) which, as a power in the heart, is fitted to maintain and foster the life that has been momentarily awakened by means of the word.
] temporary , not lasting, not enduring. See Wetstein.
] by means of the “ or ” the special is added on to the general .
] he encounters a stumbling-block, i.e . a temptation to unbelief; see notes on Mat 5:29 , Mat 1:6 . Affliction in his case proves a to which he succumbs. Substantially the same as Luk 8:13 : .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
Ver. 21. Yet hath he not root in himself ] These flashy affections have not principles to maintain them, and therefore come to nothing. They are enlightened only as by a flash of lightning, and not by the sunbeam; they do no more than taste of the good word of God, as cooks do of their sauces, they let nothing down, they digest it not, Heb 6:4-5 “A good man is satisfied from himself,” saith Solomon, Pro 13:14 ; hath a spring within his own breast. Hic sat lucis, This is of light, said Oecolampadius, clapping his hand upon his heart. This the temporary cannot say; he is moved by some external principle, as are clocks, windmills, and the like: “the root of the matter is not in him,” Job 19:28 . He lacks depth of earth. , saith another evangelist, the plough hath not gone deep enough; and therefore, though the earth be good, and the seed good, yet being uncovered, unburied, it miscarries. Exoriuntur, sed exuruntur, ” His roots are dried up beneath, and above is his bud cut off,” Job 18:16 .
For when tribulation or persecution ariseth ] As it will, for ecclesia haeres crucis, saith one. And opposition is evangelii genius, saith Calvin. It is but a delicacy to go about to divide Christ and his cross.
By and by he is offended ] Vadat Christus cum suo evangelio, saith he. Let Christ keep his heaven to himself, if it can be had upon no other terms: he is resolved to suffer nothing. When it comes to that once, he kicks up profession, and may possibly prove a spiteful adversary of the same ministry which he once admired, as Herod; and a proud condemner of the same remorse with which himself was some time smitten, as Saul. Crystal seems a precious stone, till it come to the hammering.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Mat 13:21 . : instead of the participle under the influence of Mk.’s text (Weiss). . temporary, cf. 2Co 4:18 .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
but dureth for a while = but is temporary, or endureth but for a season.
by and by = immediately. Same word as “anon”. Mat 13:20. The offence is as immediate as the joy.
is offended = stumbles.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Mat 13:21. , root) which is plainly necessary, and springs from the word itself.- , is temporary)[613] He believes whilst the time inclines him; see Luk 8:13. The adjective , taken alone, expresses somewhat good, but without perseverance; it is therefore followed here by the adversative particle , but, and in Mar 4:17, by , afterwards.-, affliction) generally.-, persecution) specifically.[614]- , because of the word) when it is propagated by the mouth and expressed by the life.-, immediately) That which is quickly produced, perishes quickly.[615]
[613] E. V. dureth for a while.-(I. B.)
[614] Persecution can be brought to bear against one either by an unkind side look, or by a jesting speech added in the way of mockery.-V. g.
[615] ) He is offended, and therefore relapses into unbelief.-V. g.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
root: Mat 13:6, Mat 7:22, Mat 7:23, Mat 7:26, Mat 7:27, Job 19:28, Pro 12:3, Pro 12:12, Luk 8:13, Joh 6:26, Joh 6:61-65, Joh 6:70, Joh 6:71, Joh 15:5-7, Act 8:21-23, Gal 5:6, Gal 6:15, Eph 3:17, 2Pe 1:8, 2Pe 1:9, 1Jo 2:19, 1Jo 2:20
dureth: Mat 10:22, Mat 24:13, Job 27:8-10, Psa 36:3, Hos 6:4, Rom 2:7, Phi 1:6, 1Pe 1:5
for: Mat 5:10-12, Mat 10:37-39, Mat 16:24-26, Mar 4:17, Mar 8:34-36, Mar 13:12, Mar 13:13, Luk 9:23-25, Luk 14:26-33, Luk 21:12-18, Joh 12:25, Joh 12:26, Gal 6:12, 2Ti 4:10, Heb 10:35-39, Rev 2:13
is: Mat 13:57, Mat 11:6, Mat 24:9, Mat 24:10, Mat 26:31, Mat 26:33, 2Ti 1:15
Reciprocal: Jdg 7:3 – Whosoever Rth 1:15 – gone back 2Ch 11:17 – three years Job 8:19 – this is the joy Job 20:5 – the joy Job 27:10 – will he always Job 36:21 – this Psa 119:165 – nothing shall offend them Eze 3:20 – When Eze 18:24 – when Eze 36:26 – the stony Mat 1:22 – that Mat 5:30 – offend Mat 25:8 – for Mar 4:16 – which Luk 8:6 – General Luk 14:27 – cannot Joh 2:23 – many Joh 5:35 – and ye Joh 6:66 – of his Joh 16:1 – General Gal 5:7 – run Heb 6:5 – tasted Heb 10:38 – but Heb 11:25 – Choosing 1Jo 2:10 – occasion of stumbling Rev 7:16 – the sun
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Mat 13:21. Yet hath he not root in himself. His apparent Christian life is rooted only in the temporary excitement about him.
Endureth for a while. The expression implies also: is the creature of circumstances.
Tribulation, afflictions; persecution, a special form of affliction; all arising because of the word, and intended to strengthen, as the sunshine the plant; but the plant without root is withered.
Forthwith (as in the reception of the word) he is offended, or taketh offence and falleth. Sentimental, superficial, changeful, one-sided professors of Christianity. The parable does not decide whether such have really been subjects of grace.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 21
Are offended; take offence at the gospel, and apostatize.