Mat 13:12, Mar 4:25, Luk 8:18, 19:26 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 12. Whosoever hath , etc. This is a proverbial mode of speaking. It means that a man who improves what light, grace, and opportunities he has, shall have them increased. From him that improves them not, it is proper that they should be taken away. The Jews had many opportunities of learning the truth, and some light still lingered among them. But they were gross and sensual, and misimproved them, and it was a just judgment that they should be deprived of them. Superior knowledge was given to the disciples of Christ; they improved it, however slowly, and the promise was that it should be greatly increased. (b) "For whosoever"

Matthew 13:12

Verse 12. Whosoever hath, etc. This is a proverbial mode of speaking. It means that a man who improves what light, grace, and opportunities he has, shall have them increased. From him that improves them not, it is proper that they should be taken away. The Jews had many opportunities of learning the truth, and some light still lingered among them. But they were gross and sensual, and misimproved them, and it was a just judgment that they should be deprived of them. Superior knowledge was given to the disciples of Christ; they improved it, however slowly, and the promise was that it should be greatly increased.

(b) "For whosoever" Mt 25:29, Lk 9:26

Mark 4:25

Verse 25. For he that hath, Mt 13:12. The meaning here seems to be--He that diligently attends to my words, shall increase more and more in the knowledge of the truth; but he that neglects them, and is inattentive, shall become more ignorant; the few things which he had learned he will forget, and his trifling knowledge will be diminished.

Hath not. Does not improve what he possessed; or does not make proper use of his means of learning.

That which he hath. That which he had already learned. By this we are taught the indispensable necessity of giving attention to the means of instruction. The attention must be continued. It is not sufficient that we have learned some things, or appear to have learned much. All will be in vain unless we go forward, and improve every opportunity of learning the will of God, and the way of salvation. So what children are taught will be of little use unless they follow it up, and endeavour to improve themselves.

(b) "from him" Lk 8:18

Luke 8:18

Verse 18.

Mk 4:21, and Mr 4:22-25

(w) "take heed" Jas 1:21-25 (x) "whosoever hath" Mt 13:12, 25:29, Lk 19:26 (1) "seemeth to have", or "thinketh that he hath"

Luke 19:26

Verses 26,27. For I say, &c. These are the words of the nobleman declaring the principles on which he would distribute the rewards of his kingdom.

But those mine enemies. By the punishment of those who would not that he should reign over them is denoted the ruin that was to come upon the Jewish nation for rejecting the Messiah, and also upon all sinners for not receiving him as their king. See Barnes on the parable of the talents in Mt 25:14 and following.

(r) "That unto everyone that hath" Mt 13:12, 25:29, Mk 4:25, Lk 8:18