The Parable of The Weeds

1. The parable

Matthew 13:24–30 CSB

He presented another parable to them: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while people were sleeping, his enemy came, sowed weeds among the wheat, and left. When the plants sprouted and produced grain, then the weeds also appeared. The landowner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Master, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Then where did the weeds come from?’ “ ‘An enemy did this,’ he told them. “ ‘So, do you want us to go and pull them up?’ the servants asked him. “ ‘No,’ he said. ‘When you pull up the weeds, you might also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At harvest time I’ll tell the reapers: Gather the weeds first and tie them in bundles to burn them, but collect the wheat in my barn.’ ”

Important things presented

Someone sowed good seed

A field

While they were sleeping an enemy sowed weeds among the wheat

When the plants sprouted and produced grain, the weeds appear

The Land owner is asked where the weeds came from

It is pointed out that an enemy has done this

Jesus says something very important: Let both grow together until the harvest. At harvest time I’ll tell the reapers: Gather the weeds first and tie them in bundles to burn them, but collect the wheat in my barn.’ ”

2. Why did Jesus teach in parables

To connect the truth of God’s kingdom with the every day ordinary person

Many of those listening were common people who came from a rural setting

Jesus is teaching profound truth in a simply direct way

3. Jesus explains the parable

Matthew 13:36–43 CSB

Then he left the crowds and went into the house. His disciples approached 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—these are the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. Therefore, just as the weeds are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather from his kingdom all who cause sin and those guilty of lawlessness. They will throw them into the blazing furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s kingdom. Let anyone who has ears listen.

Jesus explained the parable when the crowds were gone and he was alone with His disciples

The one who sowed the seed is Jesus

The field is the world, important to see Jesus didn’t say the church

The good seed is the children of the Kingdom

Important to see there is a distinction between the children of God and the children of this world

The enemy is the devil

The weeds are the children of the evil one or those who give allegiance to the world and reject God and His ways

The harvest is the end of the age and the harvesters are the angels

Jesus tells us at the end of the age God will rightly deal with the wickedness and sin of humanity

Matthew 13:41–43 CSB

The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather from his kingdom all who cause sin and those guilty of lawlessness. They will throw them into the blazing furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s kingdom. Let anyone who has ears listen.