The Parable Of The Wheat And The Tares Series

Introduction

As we examined the first of the parables in this chapter last week we examined the parable of the Sower and the 4 types of soil that the seed (the word of God) falls upon. The emphasis of that parable was upon the hearts of the hearer of the Word of God.

Today we shall examine the second parable found in Matthew 13. It is known as the parable of the Wheat & the Tares. First we shall read the parable from verses 24-30, then we shall read from verse 36-43 where Jesus will give the explanation of the parable. As you may recall from our introduction 2 weeks ago Jesus only interprets two of the parables, the first being last weeks on The Sower; and the second one this week’s “The Wheat & the Tares. Let us read together then…

Scripture:

24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. 26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. 27 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?’ 28 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?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 30 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.”

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Now let us continue from verse 36…

36 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.”

• Jesus sent the multitude away…

o Remember what Jesus had said in vs 13 that, “…I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.”

o They heard the words, but that was all

o Most likely many of the went away no wiser the they came

o It is sad to think how many go away from Sermons, Sunday School lessons and Bible Studies without receiving the word of Grace in their hearts

• And went into the house…

o Not to take a rest but to be better able to instruct his disciples (they are the true focus of most of his teaching)

• His disciples came to him saying explain to us the parable of the tares of the field

o They desired to learn of Jesus

 First characteristic of a true disciple

• Admits he or she doesn’t know everything (humility)

• Has a teachable spirit

Jesus Explains the Parable

37 He answered and said to them: “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.

• As we pointed out last week, Jesus is the sower. He is the Son of Man.

38 The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one.

• We do not need to guess about the interpretation

o The Field is the World

 Remember this is a Kingdom Parable

 The field is “not” the church as some are tempted to interpret it

 Jesus is the true and rightful king and this world and everyone and everything in it pertains to his kingdom

 Many there may be who do not choose to submit to him now, but one day the bible declares in both Rom 14:11 and Phil 2:10 that every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess him “Lord”

o In the parable of the Sower the seed represented the Gospel, but Jesus tells us in this parable the “Good Seeds” are the Sons of the Kingdom

 These are the true saints

 They represent the fruit that is produced in previous parable, it is understood that the Gospel fell upon good ground

 They are not just “saints by profession” but “saints by possession”

 They have incorporated both “Faith (believing) & Works (obedience) to Christ as their King and Lord

o and the “Tares” are the Sons of the wicked one.

 Here we have a description of all those who are unrepentant sinners, liars and hypocrits – they are “Sons of the wicked one”

• As such they bear his image