“Weeds Among the Wheat”

Background Scripture: Matthew 13:24-43

Lesson Background: Jesus’ disciples often heard Him speak about the kingdom of Heaven/kingdom of God, and they were astonished and confused by His description of its nature . Much of their reaction can be traced  to the fact that Jesus’ kingdom parables  were metaphorical (figurative) in nature regarding aspects of the kingdom.

Weeds with the Wheat (Matthew 13:24-30):

Two Sowers (vv. 24-25). 
v. 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.”

The parable involves sowing of seed. Wheat and barley were the staple grains planted in this way.

v. 25 “But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.” An enemy of the farmer now appears. The tares that the enemy sowed translates a Greek word that refers to a weed known as darnel. It looks very much like wheat until it matures. These are not weeds that merely threaten the growth of the crop, rather, these are weeds easily confused with the crop itself. Wheat was a vitally important field crop in the ancient world, being the primary ingredient of bread.

There is nothing negligent implied about the men being asleep. Jesus’ point is that the second sower comes at night so that he can work in darkness and secret as criminals tend to do. The introduction of this enemy’s “bad seed” would have been undetectable at this point in the planting and harvest cycle.

Two Crops (vv. 26-27).
26-27. “But when the blade was sprung and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 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?”

At first, the two kinds of plants seem identical. But their differences become more apparent with time. Eventually the servants of the householder discern that their field is infested with weeds (tares).

Two Harvests (vv. 28-30):
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?” The householder knows what has happened. The servants’ response is in line with conventional wisdom: there’s no room for nonchalance where weeds are concerned. Every hour they live means that they are drawing water and nutrients away  from the good plants, in addition to blocking sunlight.

29-30. “But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 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.” The wise householder rejects the servants’ suggestion. He knows that the roots of the plants are now entangled. Therefore pulling out the tares risks pulling out a substantial number of wheat stalks at the same time.

The householder does have a plan, though. The reapers, who will conduct the harvest, are to follow the distinctive instructions-the final dispositions of the tares and the wheat.

Cast of Characters (37-39): Allegorically, the sower is the Son of man; the field is the world; the enemy that sowed the seed is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

Final Sorting:
40. “As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of the world.” The weeds represent . The weeds represent the children of the wicked one. The angels will deliver them to judgment, eternal punishment (burned).

References: Enduring Word Bible Commentary, Standard Lesson Commentary KJV 2022-2023

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