When Tribulation and Persecution Arises - Matthew 13:21

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “Hear you therefore the parable of the sower. When any one hears the word of the kingdom, and understands it not, then comes the wicked one, and catches away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.” Jesus continued, “But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that hears the word, and anon with joy receives it”, and in chapter thirteen and verse twenty-one of his book, Matthew wrote how Jesus tells His disciples what happens, “when tribulation and persecution arises” where we read:

Yet has he not root in himself, but endures for a while:

for when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, by and by he is offended.

The verse reads, “Yet has he not root in himself, but endures for a while:” Matthew began with the word, “yet” which means “moreover and” “has he not root” or “the person who receives the word of God immediately and with gladness does not have deep roots” “in himself” which means “within his or her own self”, “but endures” or “nevertheless, nay, rather and moreover lasts and stands” “for a while” which means “temporarily or for a season”. Matthew wrote how Jesus said the person who gladly receives the word of God immediately does not have any depth, base or form and lasts only temporarily.

The verse continues, “for when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, by and by he is offended.” Matthew added the word, “for” which means “because, since and on account that” “when” or “at the time and moment” “tribulation” which refers to “pressure, oppression, affliction, distress and straits” “or persecution” or “maltreatment or abuse” “arises” which means “comes into existence, happens or appears” “because” or “for and on account” “of the word” which means “the speech, utterance, decree, mandate or order”, “by and by” or “straightway, immediately and forthwith” “he is offended” which means “the person is enticed to sin, caused to fall away, stumbles, is displeased or indignant”. Matthew shared how Jesus said when “affliction and abuse” enter the person's life, they immediately stumble, become displeased and behave indignantly.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how people with “shallow” depth of “faith” are easily “stumbled” whenever difficulties and troubles come along. Because they have not continued to grow in their relationship with God, they easily fall into “sin and despair” and many times become indignant toward God. Jesus said, “In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33), and those who are wise will not only receive Jesus Christ as their personal “Savior and Lord” but will also grow deep in their relationship with Him. When difficulties, persecutions and afflictions come, the person who has grown in their faith shall be able to stand firm knowing that Jesus has “overcome the world”.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus told His disciples about, “he also that received seed among the thorns”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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