Parable of the Weeds in the Wheat Exposition
The Parable of the Weeds in the Wheat, recorded in Matthew 13:24-30, describes the coexistence of the "children of the kingdom" and the "children of the evil one" within the world until the final judgment [5]. Jesus often taught in parables, a common method among Eastern nations and Jewish teachers, to convey spiritual truths [6, 9]. This particular parable is one of several delivered by Jesus at the same time, including the Parable of the Sower and the Parable of the Mustard Seed [3, 6, 8].
In the parable, a man sows good seed in his field, but an enemy later sows weeds (specifically, "darnel" or Lolium temulentum) among the wheat [1, 7]. The darnel is nearly indistinguishable from wheat until it matures, leading to the instruction to let both grow together until the harvest [1, 4, 7]. The disciples later asked Jesus to explain this parable, which he did in private [2, 5].
Jesus' explanation clarifies the symbolism:
- The Sower: The Son of Man.
- The Field: The world.
- The Good Seed: The children of the kingdom.
- The Weeds: The children of the evil one.
- The Enemy: The devil.
- The Harvest: The end of the age.
- The Reapers: Angels.
The parable teaches that the people of God (the wheat) will coexist with non-believers (the weeds) in the world until the end of history [5]. This coexistence means that the wicked will not be "weeded out" through judgment during the present age, requiring patience from Jesus' disciples [5]. At the harvest, which signifies the end of the age, the reapers (angels) will first gather the weeds and burn them, and then gather the wheat into the barn [4]. This separation illustrates Christ's role as judge, distinguishing between those destined for salvation and those for destruction [4]. The parable emphasizes that judgment and separation are reserved for the end, executed by divine agents, rather than by human effort during the present time [4, 5].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Tares — There can be little doubt that the zizania of the parable, (Matthew 13:25) denotes the weed called "darnel" (Lolium temulentum). The darnel before it comes into ear is very similar in appearance to wheat; hence the command that the zizania should be left to the harvest, lest while men plucked up the tares "they should root up also the wheat with them." Dr. Stanley, however, speaks of women and children picking up from the wheat in the cornfields of Samaria the tall green stalks, still called by the Arabs zuwan . "These stalks," he continues, "if sown designedl”
- Matthew “Then Jesus sent the multitudes away, and went into the house. His disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the darnel weeds of the field.” -- Matthew 13:36”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Parables — Remarkable Parables of the Old Testament -- Jdj 9:8-15; 2Sa 12:1-4; 14:5-7. Parables of christ Wise and foolish builders. -- Mt 7:24-27. Children of the bride chamber. -- Mt 9:15. New cloth and old garment. -- Mt 9:16. New wine and old bottles. -- Mt 9:17. Unclean spirit. -- Mt 12:43. Sower. -- Mt 13:3-23; Lu 8:5-15. Tares. -- Mt 13:24-30,36-43. Mustard-seed. -- Mt 13:31,32; Lu 13:19. Leaven. -- Mt 13:33. Treasure hid in a field. -- Mt 13:44. Pearl of great price. -- Mt 13:45,46. Net cast into the sea. -- Mt 13:47-50. Meats defiling not. -- Mt 15:10-15. Un”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 13:30: Let both grow together--that is, in the visible Church. until the harvest--till the one have ripened for full salvation, the other for destruction. (See on Mat 13:39). and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers--(See on Mat 13:39). Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them--"in the fire" (Mat 13:40). but gather the wheat into my barn--Christ, as the Judge, will separate the two classes (as in Mat 25:32). It will be observed that the tares are burned before the wheat is housed; in the exposition of the”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 13:36: 13:36-43 These verses are the interpretation of the parable told in 13:24-30. The people of the Kingdom (wheat) coexist with nonmembers (weeds) in the world (field) until the end of history. The mystery of the Kingdom is that it is present in the world without weeding out the wicked in judgment; Jesus’ disciples must learn patience. 13:36 They went into the house (see 13:1). Jesus taught in parables publicly, but the interpretations were reserved for his disciples in private. • Please explain: Though the disciples were privileged to know the mysteries of the Kin”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 13:3: And he spake many things unto them in parables,.... For the parables of the sower, and the different sorts of ground the seed fell in, of the wheat and tares, of the grain of mustard seed, of the leaven in three measures of meal, of the treasure hid in a field, of the pearl of great price, of the net cast into the sea, and of the householder, were all delivered at this time. This way of speaking by parables was much in use among the eastern nations, and particularly the Jews. R. Meir was very famous among them for this way of teaching: they say (a), "that when R. M”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 13:25: 13:25 Weeds (or tares, bearded darnel) are almost indistinguishable from wheat and so were left until growth revealed their true nature. Malevolent contamination of crops in this manner was punishable by law.”
- Mark (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Mark 4:21: And he said,.... He went on saying the following parable, which was delivered at the same time that the parable of the sower was, though omitted by Matthew; and is here placed between that, and the other concerning the grain of mustard seed; which shows the time when it was spoken. The design of it is to set forth the nature of the word, and the ministration of it; the conduct of the ministers of the Gospel, when they have dispensed it; the imperceptibleness of its springing and growth; the fruitfulness of it, when it has taken root, without the help of man; the gradual”
- Mark (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Mark 4:28: And with many such parables,.... As those of the tares, of the leaven in three measures of meal, of the treasure hid in the field, the pearl of great price, the net cast into the sea, and of the Scribe instructed unto the kingdom of God; which though not related at length here, are by the Evangelist Matthew, in Mat 13:24 together with others elsewhere: spake he the word unto them; preached the Gospel to the multitude, as they were able to hear it: meaning either that he condescended to their weakness, accommodated himself to their capacities, and made use of the pla”