Parable of the Wheat and Tares
Matthew 13:24-30
Context
- Matt 13 is a turning point in ministry of Jesus.
- Jesus begins talking about the mystery form of the kingdom by telling parables.
- We know that because in 13:10 the disciples asked Jesus why he was speaking in parables.
- He answers that he is revealing the mysteries of the kingdom.
- Here, Jesus returns to addressing the crowd (as opposed to His disciples in the boat) and offers them a second parable. Jesus later offers His disciples an explanation (vv. 36–43).
Context
The Parable
Information in the parable (13:24–30)
1. The diligence of a sower (13:24) : A farmer sows good seed throughout his field.
2. The discovery by the sower (13:25–28): He learns his enemy later secretly visited the field and sowed tares among the wheat.
3. The dilemma of the sower (13:29) : He knows that if he attempts to pull out the tares, he will also harm the wheat.
4. The decision of the sower (13:30) : He will wait until harvesttime, when he will sort out the tares from the wheat and burn them.
H. L. Willmington, The Outline Bible (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999), Mt 13:24–30.
Pertinent Information
- In the early stages of growth it is difficult to discern wheat from tares.
- if eaten, tares can cause sickness or death.
- When they both "headed" out, it is easy to tell the difference.
- Discernment is key. It is the only way to tell the difference in the church.
- So ask God for discernment.
Pertinent Information
The Interpretation
Interpretation of the parable (13:36–43
- The sower is Christ (13:36–37)
- The enemy is the devil (13:39a)
- The field is the world (13:38a).
- The good seed is believers (13:38b)
- The tares are unbelievers (13:38c).
- The harvest is the end of the world (13:39b).
- The reapers are angels (13:39c–41).
- The barn is heaven (13:43) .
- The furnace is hell(13:42).
H. L. Willmington, The Outline Bible (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999), Mt 13:30–42.
The Key Components
- Responsibility
- Discernment
- Patience
The Key Components
Application
- This parable is a commentary of how evil gets mixed in with good, especially in the church.
- Matthew uses Jesus' on teaching on how to address this issue.
- Aside from allegory, weeds sproud up anyway.
- We live in a world where things like this happen.
- The parable does not persuade people not to cultivate their fields.
- It does however dictate that we exercise patience.
- Rooting out evil can sometimes destroy the good that has yet to take root and grow.