Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 13:47-48

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: which, when it was filled, they drew up on the beach; and they sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but the bad they cast away." — Matthew 13:47-48 (ASV)

Here, among people, the “kingdom of heaven” is like a seine or draw-net. It encompasses a large area of water and entangles within it all kinds of creatures that move in the sea.

The casting of the net is a success, because the net gathers and is full. Yet the success may not be as great as it seems, because the contents of the net are varied. It gathered of every kind.

As long as it is in the water, it necessarily contains both bad and good. It cannot be otherwise, and it would be pointless to begin sorting the things it encompasses while still in the sea.

The shore will be the place for separation. The worthless, useless, and corrupt will be cast away, even though they were once in the net, but the truly precious will be taken from the net and presented to their Lord.

We must now stand and fish, casting the net and waiting for a haul. Not until the end will we sit down and sort out our takings. Many are trying to do the last thing first.