The Gospel Of Matthew Chapter 13 Part 6 The Parable of The Wheat and Tares

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The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares contrasts the born again with those who are not.

Matthew 13:24-25  Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25)  But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 

In the Parable of the Seed and the Sower, we find Jesus teaching us about four different heart responses to gospel preaching.

Jesus establishes that only one of four soil types are good ground which pictures a repentant sinner's true conversion to Christ.

The next parable is known as "The Parable of the Wheat and Tares."

This parable teaches us about people in God's kingdom and in Christ's church.

It is somewhat like the former parable but with a different view. 

This parable is designed to show differences between professing Christians in churches. 

Some people are compared to good seed, and others are likened to tares.

Jesus used His parable in

 a way of illustrating the reality of the kingdom of heaven as it appears on earth.

It begins with a man who sows good seed in his field and later we read that the good seed sown is wheat.

After he finished the task of planting and sowing seed, the farmer went home to rest from his labors.

While he slept, an enemy came under cover of night and sowed tares in with the good seed.

What is a tare? A simple explanation is that a tare is like counterfeit wheat.

A tare looks mostly like normal wheat when it germinates and is similar in color and shape until the time of harvest. 

It takes a trained eye to distinguish between the good wheat and the bad tares in a field.

However, at maturity the grains of a tare turn black in contrast to golden grains of wheat.

The taste of a tare is very bitter, and when eaten it causes dizziness, and vomiting. 

Tares are a counterfeit of wheat, strong, sleep inducing poison and must be carefully separated from the good wheat grain or else the flour will be contaminated.

It is God's great enemy who sows the tares in the field of good wheat.

Matthew 13:27-30  So 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? 28)  He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29)  But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 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.

After the good seed and the tares germinated and began growing, the farmer's servants saw that tares were intermingled with wheat.

Notice, the text does not tell us how many tares were planted by the enemy, but we shall see that it does tell us how to distinguish between good wheat and worthless tares.

This servants immediately brought this problem to the farmer's attention and asked how tares could be mixed in with good wheat seed.

The farmer knew right away that this was the work of an enemy who wished to ruin his crop.

His servants were eager and ready to go root up the tares but the farmer did not allow them to do this because in the process, much wheat would have been lost.

Instead, he instructed his servants to let both the wheat and tares grow together until the time of harvest.

At that time he would tell the reapers to gather first the tares from the field as they could be easily identified at maturity.

The tares would be bundled together and burned with fire, and then the good wheat could be gathered into his barn.

Now let us turn to Jesus' explanation of His parable.

This is a picture of what Christ's church looks like and it is a picture of two distinct future judgments. 

This is a parable about people in God's kingdom, some who are born again and some who are not.

Matthew 13:36  Then 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. 

Jesus' disciples were simple men, mostly fishermen who were acquainted with farming practices.

They wanted to know about the tares in the field and what it might mean with regard to the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus explained His parable to show how wheat and tares represent believers and unbelievers.

Matthew 13:37-39  He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 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; 39)  The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 

Jesus was ready to answer their question so that they might be prepared for gospel ministry.

The man sowing the good wheat seed is the "son of man," which is the title Jesus used the most in speaking of Himself.

Jesus Christ is the long promised "seed of the woman" and the son of David who was given the Spirit of God without measure or restriction (See Genesis 3:15; Acts 2:22-36; John 3:34).

Jesus sowed good seed by preaching the gospel throughout Judea and Galilee, seeking the lost sheep of Israel and seeking the conversion of sinners to God.

In this parable, the good wheat seed represents all who hear the gospel and respond with repentant faith in Christ. 

The good seed are the "children of the kingdom" those who are are born again into the family of God.

The field where the good seed is sown is the world and this looks forward to the Great Commission at the end of Matthew's gospel.

Each Christian is given the privilege of making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching all nations to obey His commands and be baptized in His name (See Matthew 28:18-20).

Tares are the "children of the wicked one" and Satan is their father (See John 8:39-44). 

Tares are counterfeit Christians who profess faith in Christ but do not bear fruit for His kingdom.

Like a poisonous tare plant, the children of the wicked one infiltrate the kingdom of heaven, and this is most noticeable in Christ's church.

Tares in the church may look like a Christian and speak with appropriate religious phrases but their hearts are blackened by sin.

We could spend a lot of time illustrating how tares have crept into the church and made the church much more like the corrupt culture around it.

For example, Christians divorce at about the same rate as non Christians. 

Pornography is a vile sin that ruins marriages and breaks up happy homes.

About 75% of professing Christian men and about 40% of professing Christian women view pornography and yet the Psalmist says "I will set no wicked thing before my eyes" (See Psalm 101:3).

Matthew 5:27-28  Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28)  But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 

Jesus said if a man looks on a woman with lust which  describes pornography, then he has already committed adultery in his heart.

These are enough examples to show that there are tares in Christ's church today and that the Devil has subverted the faith of many people.

There is a judgment day coming when all tares or counterfeit Christians will be rooted out and judged and consigned to the fires of Hell.

Reapers who will gather them are Christ's angels at the time of harvest, which is the end of the world (See Revelation, and Daniel).

The final judgment is the great and last prophetic day, when the heavens and the earth, and all that is therein, shall be burned up. 

This is when the righteous will enter into eternal life, and the wicked will go into everlasting punishment.

All tares (religious hypocrites) shall be gathered together and burned. 

Matthew 13:40-43  As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41)  The 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; 42)  And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43)  Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. 

The tares shall be gathered up by God's angels so that they can be burned in the fire.

There will be eternal wailing and gnashing of teeth but no sinner who goes to Hell can accuse God of being unjust in sending him there.

Jesus concluded this parable with another warning to hear His words.

The words "As therefore the tares are gathered" points to the time of harvest, when the tares shall be gathered out from the wheat first. 

All tares shall be bound in bundles and be consumed in the fire, prepared for that purpose.

All religious hypocrites like Pharisees or false teachers promoting heresy, shall be gathered out from among the churches where they have done the Devil's work.

They will be cast into everlasting burnings, prepared for the devil and his angels, with whom they belong.

The words "and they shall gather out of his kingdom" refer to the Gospel church, over which Christ is King.

Jesus rules and governs in the hearts of His people  and they cheerfully and willingly obey His laws.

The good wheat are the born again and they are under the good influence of God's Spirit.

Therefore, we observe that not all who attend church are good wheat.

Some are wicked and rebellious tares and they will be removed at last by angels who will separate them from the saints.

The words "even all things that offend" speak of those tares who tarnish Christ, His church and thevGospel by their wicked practices.

Tares are an offence to God, and His holy law.

Tares spread malicious gossip and lies with their tongues.

Proverbs 6:16-19  These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17)  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18)  An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19)  A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. 

God gave us a list of seven thing that He hates.

These are things that tares in Christ's church will engage in.

Tares are often filled with pride and have lying tongues that spread rumors and gossip that injures other people.

Their hearts focus on evil things that are contradicted by the scriptures.

They are false witnesses who consistently are exposed as liars.

Tares sow seeds of discord, disunity and disruption in each church. 

They divert believers in Christ from the important mission Jesus gave us to complete. 

Tares profess to follow Christ but they love the world and the things of the world.

1 John 2:15  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Tares profess faith in Christ but their lifestyle mirrors our corrupt culture. 

God's Word tells us not to love the world and not to love the things of the world, such as seeking wealth, pursuing trendy experiences, accumulating more and more possessions.

The apostle John made it very clear that if someone professes faith in Christ but they love the world, then the Father's love is not in them.

Such a person is exposed as a tare.  

Tares often claim they have liberty to live like the corrupt culture that surrounds us. 

Romans 6:11-12  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12)  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 

Paul took an entire chapter to answer someone who asked if they should keep sinning in order for grace to abound.

The apostle's answer was a resounding "God forbid."

Tares are those who claim they have liberty in Christ to sin.

Their lies lead children of God astray by claiming Christian liberty allows them to sin. 

For example, one professing Christian I know committed adultery with another woman and divorced his wife in order to remarry the other woman.

He claimed that it must be okay because he did not feel convicted by God for his sin.

The reality is that he followed fleshly lusts and blasphemed God by saying he did not feel convicted about his sin.

They cause divisions, disputes and disrupt the unity of the Spirit within the church.

Tares in the church often promote immorality that is contradicted by the scriptures.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20  Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19)  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20)  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 

For example, the Manichean heresy disavowed the marriage covenant established by God.

Instead, they espoused sexual acts such as adultery or fornication outside the bonds of marriage.

The Word of God gives us a clear answer to heretical views.

Fornication and adultery and sexual perversion are always condemned by God.

Marriage is a life long covenant between one man and one woman that is designed to honor God and stabilize society.

As Paul puts it, Jesus bought us with his own blood and we now belong to Him.

Our body and our decisions are to be governed by doing what glorifies God.

We need help to live this way and that is why God sends His Spirit to live in us, to help us grow in our faith and obedience to Him.

The ungodly, wicked people will not stand with the righteous children of God. 

Psalm 37:16-20  A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. 17)  For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous. 18)  The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. 19)  They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. 20)  But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away. 

There is a principle in scripture that the wicked will not stand with the righteous (those who are born again) in judgment.

The Psalmist reminds us that even if we have only a little to get by with in this life, it is far better than the ill gotten gains of the wicked.

Jehovah will uphold all those who put their trust in Him.

They shall receive an eternal inheritance but the wicked are marked by God for eternal condemnation. 

They will be consumed in Hell like dripping fat that burns rapidly on a grill.

Believers will go to the resurrection of life but tares shall go to the resurrection of damnation. 

John 5:22-29  For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 23 ) That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. 24)  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed rom death unto life. 25) Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26)  For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27)  And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28)  Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29)  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. 

Jesus reminds us that the Father has committed all judgment to Him.

Those who hear the gospel of Christ and believe, are the children of God and they honor Him with their lives.

They shall receive eternal life from Christ. This connects with the good wheat in Jesus' parable.

However, those who are evil doers like the tares, will come forth from the grave to what Jesus called the resurrection of damnation.

If they die without repentant faith in Christ, their judgment in Hell is assured.

Jesus will return as Judge and King and take vengeance in flaming fire upon all the tares.

2 Thessalonians 1:5-10  Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: 6)  Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 7) _And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8)  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9)  Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10)  When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. 

Paul speaks of that day when Jesus will come with His mighty angels to judge the wicked.

Jesus will be seen by all the wicked in that terrible judgment day and they shall cry out with fear for the rocks to fall on them to hide them from the wrath of God.

Jesus will come in flaming fire to take vengeance on all who rejected His gospel and who persecuted His church.

The wicked shall receive everlasting destruction as their punishment. 

2 Peter 2:1  But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 

Peter tells us that false prophets, another form of tares, will bring in damnable heresy and in doing so, they bring down swift destruction at that Day of the LORD judgment.

There are numerous other scriptures we could look at, but you see how this connects with Jesus parable about the Wheat and the Tares.

What does this mean for you and me?

I think that one detriment to living in a modern society is that we do not see lost people as souls on their way to a horrible punishment in Hell.

We must remember why God has left us here on earth.

We are to live out the Great Commission, making disciples of Christ and teaching them to obey His commands. 

We must have God's heart on these matters. 

Each of us were born as sinners, separated from Him and living for the world and the Devil before the power of the gospel brought us to Christ.

Romans 5:6-8  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7)  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8)  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

Even though we were sinners, God loved us while we were still sinners and He sent His Son to redeem us from our sins (See John 3:15-18).

Peter tells us that God is not willing that any sinner should die and go to Hell. He wants them to repent and trust Christ and become one of His children (See 2 Peter 3:9).

Paul tells us that God's will is that all would be saved (See 1 Timothy 2:1-5).

How can they repent and be born again if they do not hear the gospel? (See Romans 10:5-17).

Therefore, you and I as believers in Christ, must be willing to share the gospel with family, friends, neighbors and co-workers who do not know Christ. 

This is the great work God has given us to complete.

Bob