The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights that the angels aren't just removing bad actors; they are purging all "causes of sin" – things or people that act as stumbling blocks. This means the final judgment isn't just about individual misdeeds, but also about purifying the community of anything that hinders genuine faith and righteousness.
The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is the climax of Jesus' explanation of the parable of the wheat and the weeds, which describes how good and evil exist together in his kingdom on earth. Following the parable, Jesus explains that the "weeds" are those who belong to the evil one and will be separated from the "wheat" (God's people) at the final judgment. This verse acts as a bridge to the subsequent parable of the dragnet, further illustrating this final separation and judgment.
Imagine a royal decree being carried out. Who has the authority to command the king's forces and enforce his laws? In this verse, Jesus makes a powerful claim about His identity and authority.
Jesus, identifying Himself as the 'Son of Man,' asserts His ultimate authority over both the angels and the kingdom.
Divine Command
'The Son of Man will send his angels...' This isn't a request or a suggestion; it's a divine command. The angels, who are described as 'holy ones' and 'messengers,' are entirely subject to His will. They are not independent agents but instruments of His purpose.
Ultimate Ownership
'...and they will gather out of his kingdom...' The kingdom being referred to is the 'kingdom of heaven' mentioned earlier in the chapter. Jesus clarifies that this kingdom, despite its presence on earth and its mixed population, ultimately belongs to Him. It's His domain, and He has the right to manage its affairs, including its ultimate purification.
The verse speaks of angels gathering 'all causes of sin and all law-breakers.' What exactly falls into these categories, and how does this clarify the nature of the kingdom?
This verse identifies two main groups that will be separated from the kingdom: 'causes of sin' (often translated as stumbling blocks or offenses) and 'law-breakers.' This distinction helps us understand the outward and inward aspects of sin within the community.
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Stumbling Blocks
The term for 'causes of sin' refers to anything or anyone that leads others astray. This can include:
Law-breakers
'Law-breakers' are those who actively disregard God's commands. This speaks to outward rebellion and persistent disobedience. While the parable of the weeds focuses on those who are sown by the evil one, this verse highlights those whose actions are characterized by iniquity.
Together, these categories paint a picture of a thorough and complete separation, removing both the active sources of sin and those who persistently disobey.
Understand the original words
huios tou anthrōpou · Greek Noun phrase
A title for Jesus Christ emphasizing his humanity and his role as the eschatological judge and ruler who receives authority from the Ancient of Days.
angelos · Greek Noun
Heavenly beings created by God who act as his messengers, agents of his will, and executors of his judgment.
basileia · Greek Noun
The sphere of God's sovereign rule, authority, and presence; it encompasses both the present spiritual reality and the future perfected age.
skandalon · Greek Noun
Anything that causes others to stumble, fall into sin, or turn away from God; often associated with false teaching or immoral behavior.
anomia · Greek Noun
Those who live in defiance of God's revealed law or moral standards; refers to those who are unrighteous in heart and deed.
This Old Testament passage prophesies a future striking of the shepherd and scattering of the sheep, which Jesus alludes to and ultimately fulfills in His own passion and the subsequent scattering and regathering of believers, mirroring the separation of the righteous from the wicked.
Psalm 1:5This psalm speaks of the ungodly not being able to stand in the final judgment, directly paralleling Matthew 13:41's depiction of the removal of law-breakers from God's kingdom.
Daniel 12:2-3This prophetic vision describes a future resurrection where many who sleep in the dust will awake, some to everlasting life and others to shame and everlasting contempt, reflecting the ultimate separation of the righteous and the wicked mentioned in Jesus' parable.
Matthew 25:31-32Here, Jesus describes the final judgment where the Son of Man, in His glory, separates all nations, placing the sheep on His right and the goats on His left, directly illustrating the angelic gathering and separation described in Matthew 13:41.
1 Corinthians 6:2-3The Apostle Paul asserts that believers will judge the world and even angels, highlighting the authority given to the saints and implying a future separation where the righteous will have a role in judging those who practice lawlessness.
bengelMatthew 13:41: "The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;"
Matthew 13:41 . Αὐτοῦ , His— Αὐτοῦ , His ) Such is the majesty of the Son of Man. His are the angels (see the end of Matthew 13:39 ); His is the kingdom of heaven ; His is the world ; cf. Matthew 13:24 , with Matthew 13:38 .— βασιλείας , the kingdom ) which is the kingdom of grace.— σκάνδαλα , stumbling-blocks) obstacles , which had hindered t…
pooleMatthew 13:41: "The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;"
See Poole on "Matthew 13:43" .
This verse highlights that the angels aren't just removing bad actors; they are purging all "causes of sin" – things or people that act as stumbling blocks. This means the final judgment isn't just about individual misdeeds, but also about purifying the community of anything that hinders genuine faith and righteousness.
This verse is the climax of Jesus' explanation of the parable of the wheat and the weeds, which describes how good and evil exist together in his kingdom on earth. Following the parable, Jesus explains that the "weeds" are those who belong to the evil one and will be separated from the "wheat" (God's people) at the final judgment. This verse acts as a bridge to the subsequent parable of the dragnet, further illustrating this final separation and judgment.
This verse is the climax of Jesus' explanation of the parable of the wheat and the weeds, which describes how good and evil exist together in his kingdom on earth. Following the parable, Jesus explains that the "weeds" are those who belong to the evil one and will be separated from the "wheat" (God's people) at the final judgment. This verse acts as a bridge to the subsequent parable of the dragnet, further illustrating this final separation and judgment.
"The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers," — This verse highlights that the angels aren't just removing bad actors; they are purging all "causes of sin" – things or people that act as stumbling blocks. This means the final judgment isn't just a…
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Last reviewed October 2026