The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares Matthew 13:24-43
by Owen Borville
July 14, 2019
Bible
The parable of the wheat and the tares was explained by Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus explains how the Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his fields but his enemy planted tares (or weeds) in his field along with the good seed. The wheat and the tares grew together but when the time of harvest came, the good wheat crop was separated from the tares and the wheat was preserved while the tares were burnt and destroyed. The parable:
24 Another 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. Matthew 13:24-30.
In verses 37-43 of Matthew 13, Jesus explains the parable:
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. Matthew 13:37-43.
The parable is a reminder of God's relationship with man and our obligation to God. As God created all life and all people, He expects us to be sincere and faithful followers. Those who produce evil and rebel against the word of God will eventually be punished. However, that time has not occurred yet. That is why we see evil in the world today. The tares are among us along with the righteous. There are those who follow the Word of God and those who don't. The tares seem to get away with their evil deeds and go unpunished. Sometimes it seems the evil do well in the world and become successful, even more successful than faithful followers of the Word of God. However, we are assured that this is only a temporary success and that those who do evil or promote evil against God's Word will be punished and separated from God and the righteous. Those who pursue and promote evil while refusing to repent will be eternally separated from God and His Kingdom. This is the hope we have for the future. While we see evil in the world today, we are assured that those who pursue evil will one day be held accountable for their actions and be punished.
by Owen Borville
July 14, 2019
Bible
The parable of the wheat and the tares was explained by Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus explains how the Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his fields but his enemy planted tares (or weeds) in his field along with the good seed. The wheat and the tares grew together but when the time of harvest came, the good wheat crop was separated from the tares and the wheat was preserved while the tares were burnt and destroyed. The parable:
24 Another 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. Matthew 13:24-30.
In verses 37-43 of Matthew 13, Jesus explains the parable:
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. Matthew 13:37-43.
The parable is a reminder of God's relationship with man and our obligation to God. As God created all life and all people, He expects us to be sincere and faithful followers. Those who produce evil and rebel against the word of God will eventually be punished. However, that time has not occurred yet. That is why we see evil in the world today. The tares are among us along with the righteous. There are those who follow the Word of God and those who don't. The tares seem to get away with their evil deeds and go unpunished. Sometimes it seems the evil do well in the world and become successful, even more successful than faithful followers of the Word of God. However, we are assured that this is only a temporary success and that those who do evil or promote evil against God's Word will be punished and separated from God and the righteous. Those who pursue and promote evil while refusing to repent will be eternally separated from God and His Kingdom. This is the hope we have for the future. While we see evil in the world today, we are assured that those who pursue evil will one day be held accountable for their actions and be punished.