What Is the Parable of the Wheat and Tares — Meaning Explained
The Parable of the Wheat and Tares teaches that true believers and false ones will coexist until the final judgment, when God will separate them.
The Parable of the Wheat and Tares teaches that true believers and false ones will coexist until the final judgment, when God will separate them.
"Let 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 13:30 (KJV)
What "What Is the Parable of the Wheat and Tares?" Actually Means
In Matthew 13:24-30 and 36-43, Jesus tells of a farmer whose enemy sows weeds (tares) among his wheat. The servants want to pull up the weeds immediately, but the master says to let both grow together until harvest, when reapers will separate them—wheat into the barn and tares into the fire. Jesus explained that the field is the world, the good seed represents believers, the tares are children of the wicked one, the enemy is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age. This parable teaches patience with imperfection in the world and the church, trusting God's timing for judgment rather than taking premature action that might harm genuine believers.
Anchor Verses (KJV)
Matthew 13:30
"Let 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 13:39
"The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels."
Matthew 13:43
"Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father."
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