Matthew 13:48

Matthew 13:48. When it was filled. A caution against too hasty attempts at separating before the Church has finished her work. If fishermen stop to sort while drawing in their net, they catch little, good or bad.

They drew up on the shore, i.e., the limit of the sea, the end of nations and of time. The next verse shows that the work of discriminating is not committed to men, however successful or zealous in the work of gathering of every kind.

The good the bad, i.e., fishes, though other animals usually get into the net. There are but two classes, one the children of God, and the other those whose destiny is described in Matthew 13:49-50.