Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
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John Chrysostom
AD 407
Wherefore also He left them and went away.
And not one of the Scribes follows Him; whence it is clear that for no other purpose did they follow, than to take hold of Him. But when they marked not His sayings, thenceforth He let them be.
And His disciples come unto Him, asking Him concerning the parable of the tares; although at times wishing to learn, and afraid Mark 9:32 to ask. Whence then arose their confidence in this instance? They had been told, To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven; and they were emboldened. Wherefore also they ask in private; not as grudging the multitude, but observing their Master's law. For, To these, says He, it is not given.
And why may it be that they let pass the parable of the leaven, and of the mustard seed, and inquire concerning this? They let those pass, as being plainer; but about this, as having an affinity to that before spoken, and as setting forth something more than it, they are desirous to learn (since He...
When his disciples came to him “asking him concerning the parable of the tares,” it seemed as though they wished to learn but were afraid to ask. What was the source of their confidence to pursue the matter? They had been told, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.” So they were emboldened. They asked quietly in private, not so as to circumvent the crowd but to observe the Lord’s wishes. For he had said “to these it is not given.” And why may it be that they let pass the parable of the leaven and of the mustard seed and inquire concerning the weeds? They let those pass because they were easier to understand, but they seemed to be attracted to the theme of the weeds. It seemed to be addressing something more that they still desired to learn. This was the second time Jesus had discussed this theme. They recognized how ominous was the danger it implied. He did not resist them but further elaborated his teaching. And, as I am always saying, the parables must n...
He left the crowds and went away. Jesus “went into the house.” And not one of the scribes followed him. From this it is clear that they followed him for no other purpose than to seize him. But when they neglected to listen to his teachings, he let them be. The Gospel of Matthew, Homily
He left the multitude at that time because they were not benefiting from His teaching. For He was speaking in parables so that they would question Him. But they were not concerned with this, neither did they ask to learn anything, so it was reasonable that He should leave them.
They only asked about this parable as the others seemed clearer to them. Tares are anything that grow among wheat and are harmful to it, such as weeds and the like.
