Topical Encyclopedia The Parable of the Tares, also known as the Parable of the Weeds, is a teaching of Jesus found in the Gospel of Matthew. It is one of the many parables Jesus used to convey spiritual truths about the Kingdom of Heaven. This parable is recorded in Matthew 13:24-30, with its explanation provided by Jesus in Matthew 13:36-43.Text of the Parable: In the Berean Standard Bible, the parable is presented as follows: "Jesus put before them another parable: 'The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and slipped away. When the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the weeds also appeared. The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. So the servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ ‘No,’ he said, ‘if you pull the weeds now, you might uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters, “First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat into my barn.”’” (Matthew 13:24-30) Explanation of the Parable: Later, Jesus provides an explanation of the parable to His disciples: "Then He dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples came to Him and said, 'Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.' He replied, 'The One who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed represents the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. As the weeds are collected and burned in the fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will weed out of His kingdom every cause of sin and all who practice lawlessness. And they will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.'" (Matthew 13:36-43) Interpretation and Themes: The Parable of the Tares addresses the coexistence of good and evil in the world and the ultimate judgment that will occur at the end of the age. The "good seed" represents the "sons of the kingdom," those who follow Christ and live according to His teachings. The "weeds," or "tares," symbolize the "sons of the evil one," those who reject God's ways and live in sin. The parable emphasizes the patience and forbearance of God, who allows both the righteous and the wicked to coexist until the appointed time of judgment. This reflects the current state of the world, where believers and unbelievers live side by side. The parable warns against premature judgment and the potential harm of uprooting the righteous along with the wicked. The harvest, representing the end of the age, is a time of separation and judgment. The righteous will be gathered into God's kingdom, while the wicked will face eternal punishment. This underscores the reality of divine justice and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom. Theological Significance: The Parable of the Tares highlights several key theological themes, including the sovereignty of God, the reality of spiritual warfare, and the certainty of final judgment. It reassures believers of God's ultimate control over history and His ability to bring about justice in His perfect timing. The parable also serves as a call to perseverance and faithfulness, encouraging believers to remain steadfast in their faith amidst the presence of evil in the world. Nave's Topical Index Matthew 13:24-30,38-42Another parable put he forth to them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened to a man which sowed good seed in his field: Nave's Topical Index Library The Parable of the Tares: the House of Jesus. The Parable of the Tares, by Bishop Latimer, Preached on the 7Th ... Parable of the Various Kinds of Fish in the Net. --Of the Wheat ... Truth First, Falsehood Afterwards, as Its Perversion Christ's ... And He Set Forth to them Another Parable, and Said... The Tares. Exposition of the Parable. The Tares. The First Great Group of Parables. The First Great Group of Parables. Resources What is the meaning of the Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price? | GotQuestions.orgHow many parables are in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible mean when it refers to the end of the age? | GotQuestions.org Tares: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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