In biblical literature, the term "wicked" refers to individuals who live in opposition to God's commandments and righteousness. The wicked are often characterized by their sinful actions, moral corruption, and rebellion against divine authority. Throughout Scripture, the fate and nature of the wicked are contrasted with those who are righteous and obedient to God.

The comparison of wicked people to "tares" is notably illustrated in the Parable of the Weeds (or Tares) found in Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43. In this parable, Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven as a field where a man sows good seed. However, while everyone is asleep, an enemy comes and sows tares among the wheat. As the plants grow, the tares become evident among the wheat. The servants of the field owner inquire whether they should pull up the tares, but the owner advises against it, lest they uproot the wheat as well. Instead, both are to grow together until the harvest, at which time the tares will be gathered and burned, while the wheat will be collected into the barn.

Comparison and Interpretation:

1. Nature and Growth:
· Wicked People: Like tares, wicked individuals may initially appear similar to the righteous, as both exist within the same world and community. However, their true nature becomes evident over time through their actions and choices.
· Tares: Tares, or weeds, are plants that resemble wheat but are ultimately worthless and detrimental to the crop. They grow alongside the wheat, indistinguishable until maturity.

2. Coexistence:
· Wicked People: The parable suggests that wicked individuals coexist with the righteous in the world. This coexistence is part of the current age, where both good and evil are present.
· Tares: The tares are allowed to grow alongside the wheat until the harvest, symbolizing the patience and forbearance of God in allowing both the righteous and the wicked to exist until the appointed time of judgment.

3. Judgment and Separation:
· Wicked People: The ultimate fate of the wicked is separation from the righteous and divine judgment. As the parable concludes, the wicked will be gathered and cast into the fiery furnace, representing eternal punishment (Matthew 13:42: "And they will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth").
· Tares: At the harvest, the tares are separated from the wheat and burned, symbolizing the final judgment where the wicked are distinguished from the righteous and face their due consequences.

4. Divine Sovereignty and Patience:
· The parable underscores God's sovereignty and patience. The delay in judgment allows for the possibility of repentance and transformation. It also highlights the divine wisdom in distinguishing between the righteous and the wicked, ensuring that none of the righteous are lost in the process of judgment.

In conclusion, the comparison of wicked people to tares serves as a powerful metaphor for understanding the presence of evil in the world and the eventual divine judgment that awaits. It calls believers to remain steadfast in their faith, trusting in God's ultimate justice and the hope of eternal life for the righteous.Matthew 13:38
The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
Nave's Topical Index

The Parable of the Tares, by Bishop Latimer, Preached on the 7Th ...
... one end; as in this place, Christ compared the word ... God, have not authority to compel
the people with violence to goodness, although they are wicked. ...
/.../knox/the pulpit of the reformation nos 1 2 and 3 /the parable of the tares.htm

The Life of Jesus Christ in Its Historical Connexion
... Divisions among the People.--Christ's return into Galilee. ... 18-21.)--Points of Agreement
and Difference.--Compared with the ... Parable of the Wicked Husbandman. ...
/.../neander/the life of jesus christ in its historical connexion/

Articles vii and viii: of the Church.
... heaped together, Matt.3, 12, and Christ has compared it to ... the tares are the children
of the Wicked One ... that the true Church will be separated from that people. ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 11 articles vii and.htm

"Peace, be Still"
... familiar illustrations again explaining to the people the nature ... separation of the
righteous and the wicked He had ... was a desolate region when compared with the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 35 peace be still.htm

Letter vi. Temptation.
... by way of eminence, "The Wicked." He is altogether wicked. ... spirits, which are very
busy with people's hearts ... The heart is very properly compared to a castle or ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter vi temptation.htm

The Best Things Work for Good to the Godly
... its sanctifying nature, is in Scripture compared sometimes to ... the angels will shortly
give God's people a writ of ... tares are the children of the wicked one, the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the best things work for.htm

The Figurative Language of Scripture.
... where comparison is excluded, thus: "A wicked man taketh ... of household stuff
(Ezek.12:3-7 compared with ver ... known situation of the Israelitish people, shows that ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxv the figurative language.htm

Doctor Martin Luther on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences
... Ignorant and wicked are the doings of those priests who ... are to be preached with caution,
lest the people may falsely ... the buying of pardons to be compared in any ...
/.../luther/martin luthers 95 theses/disputation of doctor martin luther.htm

The Lord Reigneth
... belong only to the visible church, for it is compared to a ... of His Kingdom, that He
reigns in the hearts of His people. ... The thought is no less vain than wicked. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxvi the lord reigneth.htm

Introduction
... Serpent" (Job 26:13): with this should be compared Isa.27 ... in his ferocious and fiendish
persecution of the people of God ... Has then, the Wicked One been revealed? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/introduction.htm

What is ultimate reconciliation? | GotQuestions.org

What is wisdom literature? | GotQuestions.org

Is annihilationism biblical? | GotQuestions.org

Wicked: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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