Parable of the Wheat and Tares

What jewel of wisdom can we glean from the parable about wheat and tares? This parable also appeals to the agrarian society of that day where Jesus compares this type of field to the kingdom of heaven.

Here is the parable in Jesus’s words in Matthew 13:24-30 (NKJV):

“Another parable He put forth to them, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, “Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?” He said to them, “An enemy has done this.” The servants said to him, “Do you want us then to go and gather them up?” But he said, “No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ‘ Jesus’s disciples asked Him to explain this parable after they were alone in the house. Here is what He said:

What are tares?

We understand wheat, but what are tares that the enemy sows secretly? These hidden tares aren’t visible until the whole crop has grown up. Since Satan has sown them, we know they are bad–something designed to ruin the wheat crop.

The Oxford Dictionary defines a tare as “an injurious weed resembling wheat when young.” This weed is masked at first, blending in with the wheat, hiding. But when the crop is fully grown, the weeds are fully evident.

The Meaning of the Metaphors.

• The Son of Man (Jesus) sows the good seed;
• The field represents the world;
• The good seeds are the sons of the kingdom;
• The tares are the sons of Satan;
• The enemy who sows the tares is Satan;
• The harvest is the end of the age;
• The reapers are the angels;
• The bundles of tares symbolize the sinners who will burn in the Lake of Fire;
• The wheat gathered in the barn symbolizes the righteous in the kingdom of heaven.

The Parable of the Tares Explained

“Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, ‘Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.’

He answered and said to them: ‘He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. 

Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!’ ” (Matthew 13:26-43 NKJV).

End-time Prophecy

This parable takes us into end-time prophecy. The angels will follow Jesus’s directions to gather His righteous followers into His kingdom, but they will cast the wicked into the Lake of Fire. Until then, we will all live together on the earth- the righteous with the wicked- until Christ’s second return.

Life can be so hard to endure in these evil days. The wicked are more loud and lawless than ever, and the righteous plead for His return. But, Jesus delays His coming so the wicked still have a chance to repent and not face eternal damnation in the Lake of Fire. The grace of God extends tenderly and patiently to every sinner to kneel at the cross in repentance.

This parable encourages the righteous to stay the course, bloom, shine for Jesus, and share the gospel in our sphere of influence. We need not worry about the wicked. God’s plan will work out for all men according to their deeds and hearts.

Dear Father, thank you for using a wheat field to illustrate the kingdom of God. Give us wisdom as the righteous dwell on earth with the wicked. Help us shine for You in the midst of this evil generation. Comfort us with the knowledge that we will be with You for eternity, never again to dwell with the wicked. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.

Parable of the Wheat and Tares by Karen Jurgens Copyright ©2024 All rights reserved.