Thematic Bible: Operations in


Thematic Bible















For it is written in the law of Moses [Deut. 25:4], "You should not put a muzzle on an ox while it tramples over the grain." Is it the oxen that God is concerned about? Verse ConceptsMoses, Significance OfThreshingMuzzlingAnimals, God's Care OfOxenSealing ThingsBinding As AnimalsWritten In The Lawthe Law of mosesPerspectivemuscles



But Jesus said to him, "Nobody who begins plowing [a field] and then looks back [i.e., in regret for beginning such an arduous task] is suited for [serving in] the kingdom of God." Verse ConceptsCommitmentBacksliding, ResultsFaithfulness, To GodHesitationPloughingQuittingWorthinessBeing DevoutLooking BackwardCares Of This WorldIndecisionMoving ForwardPloughmenJudgement On BackslidersBackslidingSingle MindednessWorth

"But which of you, whose slave is plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he comes in from the field, 'Come and sit right down to eat'? Verse ConceptsPloughingSittingReclining To EatPloughmenStock Keepingservanthood

Or, is He not really saying this for our sakes? Yes, it was written for us because the farmer ought to plow in hope [of planting a crop], and the harvester ought to thresh grain in hope of reaping a crop. Verse ConceptsAgriculture, Qualities NeededHope, Nature OfPloughingCultivationPloughmenOther Scriptures FulfilledSharing Material ThingsFor The Sake Of God's People














And He spoke many things to them in parables [i.e., brief stories to illustrate His teaching], saying, "Once a farmer went out [to his field] to plant grain. Verse ConceptsParables Of ChristJesus Using ParablesFarmingSowing Seeds







Let both of them grow together until it is time for the harvest; then at that time, I will tell the harvesters, "Gather up the weeds first, and bind them up into bundles to burn. But gather the wheat into my barn."'" Verse ConceptsBinding cornHarvestSicklesBindingEternal JudgmentMixed MultitudeJoining ThingsGathering FoodBurning PlantsGod's StorehousesPlants Growing UpGrowing


His winnowing shovel [Note: This was a process whereby grain was tossed into the air so that the wind could blow the husks away, leaving only good grain on the ground] is in His hand and He will completely clear off His threshing floor [by removing all of the husks]. And He will gather His wheat into the barn, but will burn up the husks with a fire that will never go out." Verse ConceptsHell, Description OfNames For HeavenHell, As An ExperienceForksSin, God's Judgment OnThreshing FloorToolsWinnowingWicked Described AsEternal JudgmentLight As ChaffReapingBurning PlantsGod's StorehousesWeed




And He spoke many things to them in parables [i.e., brief stories to illustrate His teaching], saying, "Once a farmer went out [to his field] to plant grain. Verse ConceptsParables Of ChristJesus Using ParablesFarmingSowing Seeds





I [Paul] planted [i.e., preached God's word], Apollos watered [it], but God made it grow. So then, it does not matter who plants or who waters, but [it is] God who matters, for He makes the seed grow. Now the person who plants and the person who waters have the same [purpose], and each one will receive his own wages, according to the work each one does.

He will cut off [See verse 6] every branch [i.e., follower of Christ] who is in [fellowship with] me that does not bear fruit. And He will prune every branch that does bear fruit, so it will bear more fruit. Verse ConceptsAbiding In ChristPruningChastisementSuffering, Of BelieversUnfruitfulnessAfflictions, Benefits OfBearingCommandments Of ChristCutting Off BranchesThe Source Of FruitClean ObjectsBranches Of Christflexibilityfruitfulnesscutting




And the orchard worker answered him, "Leave it alone for [just] this year, sir, until I cultivate it and fertilize it. Verse ConceptsArtificial Inseminationdung and manureLordship, Human And DivineLongsuffering Of GodDivine DelaysIncreasing FruitExcavationDefecationNot Being Aloneluckpoop

Then the property manager said to himself, What am I going to do since my master is taking away my job? I am not strong enough to dig [i.e., as a farm laborer], and I am too ashamed to beg. Verse ConceptsDestitutesBeggarsLordship, Human And DivinePoverty, Causes OfBeggingWorldly DilemmasExcavationSoliloquyShame Of Bad ConductWithout StrengthDeposingMoney Management



But some of the branches [of a cultivated olive tree] were broken off [i.e., God's rejection of the Jews] and you [Gentiles], representing a wild olive tree [branch], were grafted into it. So then, you [Gentiles] were able to benefit from the roots and sap of the olive tree, along with the Jews. Therefore, you should not brag [about your superiority] over the [natural] branches [i.e., the rejected Jews]. But, if you must brag, it should not be over you [Gentiles] nourishing the roots [i.e., the Jews], but over the roots nourishing you. But you [Gentiles] will then say, "The branches were broken off so that we could be grafted in."

For you [Gentiles] were cut off from a natural wild olive tree and [then], contrary to the natural process, were grafted into a cultivated olive tree. [Since that has happened], how much more likely is it for these [Jews], who are the natural branches, to be grafted [back] into their own olive tree [again]? Verse ConceptsOlivesParticipation, In ChristTreesCutting Off BranchesJoined To The ChurchOlive Treescutting


Let both of them grow together until it is time for the harvest; then at that time, I will tell the harvesters, "Gather up the weeds first, and bind them up into bundles to burn. But gather the wheat into my barn."'" Verse ConceptsBinding cornHarvestSicklesBindingEternal JudgmentMixed MultitudeJoining ThingsGathering FoodBurning PlantsGod's StorehousesPlants Growing UpGrowing


Therefore salt is good, but if it loses its flavoring [ability], how will it ever get it back again? It is not suitable for the soil [i.e., for growing crops] or for fertilizer, but [only] for people to throw out. [See note on Matt. 5:13]. The person who has ears to hear with ought to listen [to this] carefully."


Let both of them grow together until it is time for the harvest; then at that time, I will tell the harvesters, "Gather up the weeds first, and bind them up into bundles to burn. But gather the wheat into my barn."'" Verse ConceptsBinding cornHarvestSicklesBindingEternal JudgmentMixed MultitudeJoining ThingsGathering FoodBurning PlantsGod's StorehousesPlants Growing UpGrowing






His winnowing shovel [Note: This was a process whereby grain was tossed into the air so that the wind could blow the husks away, leaving only good grain on the ground] is in His hand and He will completely clear off His threshing floor [by removing all of the husks]. And He will gather His wheat into the barn, but will burn up the husks with a fire that will never go out." Verse ConceptsHell, Description OfNames For HeavenHell, As An ExperienceForksSin, God's Judgment OnThreshing FloorToolsWinnowingWicked Described AsEternal JudgmentLight As ChaffReapingBurning PlantsGod's StorehousesWeed





And he said to them, 'An enemy [of mine] has done this [to me].' The hired hands replied, 'Do you want us then to go and gather up the weeds?' Verse ConceptsEnemies Of God