Matt. 13:24-3024Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27So 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? 28He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30Let 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. (Matthew 13:24‑30)
There is another parable told by the Lord Jesus:
“A man... sowed good seed in his field: but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares (weeds) among the wheat, and went his way. When the blade was sprung up... then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder (owner) came and said unto him,
“Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in the field? from whence then hath it tares?” He said unto them,
‘An enemy hath done this.’ The servants said unto him,
“Wilt thou that we go and gather them up?” 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 unto my reapers,
“Gather ye together first the tares in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn” (storehouse).
Tares are a sort of wild grain which grows in most lands, but not good for food for either people or animals. When the young plants first come up, they cannot be told from grain; later they have a small head, with small seeds, but they are bitter, even poisonous. The tares cannot be pulled out of the field without uproong the wheat, and are left until harvest time. So surely it was a wicked person who would sow tares in a grain field!
The men with Jesus asked Him what hiis story meant, and He told them that He was the Sower of “the good seed”, that the “field” where it was sown, was the world, and the enemy who sowed “the tares” was the devil, Satan (Matt. 13:36-4336Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. 37He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 38The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 39The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 13:36‑43)).
Jesus said those who would believe His words about the Kingdom to be set up, were “the children of the kingdom”, or “wheat”; among them Satan would have his followers who would pretend to believe God, they would be like “tares”. Jesus said His servants were not to pull up “the tares”, they might injure “the wheat”; they were not to destroy or condemn, all were to be left until the “harvest”.
Jesus had told the people about His kingdom on earth, when all must be true and right, so before that time could begin, there will be “a harvest” when what is of Satan will be destroyed, but “the wheat” will be safe in the “storehouse”, with Him.
Yet during all the time, the Lord Himself always knows who are His people. He said, “I know them” (John 10:2727My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (John 10:27)). He said many words like these,
Note for older ones: The words, “the end of the world” in Matt. 13:3939The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. (Matthew 13:39), mean the end of a certain time, or age the time since Christ began speaking of His Kingdom is the “growing’’, or waiting time; then will be the “harvest” or judgment time: (not the end of earth); afterward the time of the righteous Kingdom set up on earth.
ML 05/02/1943