John Calvin Commentary Matthew 13:47

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:" — Matthew 13:47 (ASV)

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net. No new instruction is given here by Christ, but what he previously taught is confirmed by another parable: that the Church of God, as long as it exists in the world, is a mixture of the good with the bad, and is never free from stains and pollutions.

Yet the purpose of this parable is perhaps different. It may be that Christ intends not only to remove the offense that perplexes many weak minds—because they do not find in the world all the purity that might be desired—but also to employ the influence of fear and modesty in restraining his disciples from taking delight in the empty title, or mere profession, of faith. For my own part, I cheerfully adopt both views.

Christ informs us that a mixture of the good and the bad must be patiently endured until the end of the world; because until that time, a true and perfect restoration of the Church will not take place. Again, he warns us that it is not enough—and, what is more, that it is of little consequence to us—to be gathered into the fold, unless we are his true and chosen sheep. To this effect is the saying of Paul:

The Lord knoweth who are his; and let every one that calleth on the name of the Lord depart from iniquity (2 Timothy 2:19).

The preaching of the Gospel is justly compared to a net sunk beneath the water, to inform us that the present state of the Church is confused.

Our God is the God of order, and not of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33), and therefore recommends discipline to us; but he permits hypocrites to remain for a time among believers, until the last day, when he will bring his kingdom to a state of perfection.

As far as lies in our power, let us endeavor to correct vices, and let us exercise severity in removing pollutions. However, the Church will not be free from every spot and blemish until Christ shall have separated the sheep from the goats, (Matthew 25:32).