The Wheat and the Tares

Illustration of The Wheat and the Tares
Jesus tells of a man who sows wheat in his field but whose enemy comes by night and sows tares among the good seed. Though the servants want to remove the weeds at once the owner commands that both be left to grow until the harvest when the tares are burned and the wheat is safely stored.

Jesus tells of a man who sows wheat in his field but whose enemy comes by night and sows tares among the good seed. Though the servants want to remove the weeds at once the owner commands that both be left to grow until the harvest when the tares are burned and the wheat is safely stored. This parable of the kingdom shows how good and evil coexist until the final judgment when God separates the righteous from the wicked.

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Category: Kingdom of God

Meaning: Good and evil coexist until the final judgment when God will separate them.

Audience: Crowds

Key Chapters

Matthew 13 Parables of the Kingdom 8 min read This parable reassures us that God allows good and evil to coexist until His per...

Key Passages

The Parable

Matthew 13:24-30

This parable reassures us that God allows good and evil to coexist until His perfect judgment separates them with care.

A24nother parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Explanation

Matthew 13:36-43

This passage reassures us that God patiently allows good and evil to coexist now, but promises a final, perfect separation and reward at the end.

T36hen 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.

37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 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; 42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Explore Related

Characters 1

Jesus Jesus is portrayed in the Bible as the Son of God and the long-awaited Messiah whose coming fulfilled Oldโ€ฆ

Themes 3

Heaven No eye has seen, no ear has heard what God has prepared. From Ezekiel's visions to John's Revelation,โ€ฆ Faith Without faith it is impossible to please God. From Abraham leaving everything for an unknown land to aโ€ฆ Sovereignty of God The Lord reigns. From Joseph's slavery to Daniel's lions' den, Scripture reveals a God who works all thingsโ€ฆ

Life Situations 2

Needing Patience Waiting is one of the hardest disciplines of the spiritual life. Whether you are waiting for answeredโ€ฆ Facing Injustice When you witness or experience injustice - whether personal, systemic, or global - righteous anger risesโ€ฆ

Did You Know?

1

Tares (darnel) look identical to wheat until harvest. You cannot tell them apart while growing.

2

Pulling tares early would uproot wheat too. Their roots intertwine underground.

3

This parable teaches patience with evil in the world until God's final judgment.