John Calvin Commentary Matthew 13:37

"And he answered and said, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;" — Matthew 13:37 (ASV)

He, that soweth the good seed, had formerly said that the kingdom of heaven resembles a man sowing. The mode of expression is unusual, but plainly means that the same thing happens with the preaching of the Gospel as usually takes place in the sowing of fields; the tares grow up along with the wheat.

One peculiarity, however, is pointed out by Him when He says that the sowing of tares in the field was effected by the trick of an enemy. This is intended to inform us that when many wicked men are mingled with believers, this is not an accidental or natural occurrence, as if they were the same seed. Rather, we must learn to attribute the blame for this evil to the devil.

This does not mean that by condemning him, men are acquitted of guilt. Rather, it means, first, that no blame whatever may be laid on God for this fault, which arose from the agency of another. Second, we are not to be surprised to find tares frequently growing in the Lord’s field, since Satan is always on the watch to do mischief.

Again, when Christ says that not the ministers of the word sow, but that He Himself alone sows, this is not without meaning. For though this cannot be supposed to be restricted to His person, yet since He uses our efforts and employs us as His instruments for cultivating His field, so that He alone works through us and in us, He justly claims for Himself what is, in some respects, shared with His ministers.

Let us, therefore, remember that the Gospel is preached not only by Christ’s command but also by His authority and direction. In short, we are only His hand, and He alone is the Author of the work.