Matt 13:24-30

Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’" ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’" ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’ ” ¹

This parable is found only in the gospel of Matthew. We are told in Matt 13:2 who Jesus was talking to when he told the parable. It was to a large crowd of people. So large that Jesus got into a boat and taught them from there. Here we also find that Jesus taught several parables here. This would be the 2nd after Jesus got into the boat.

Jesus first 7 points

1. Matt 13:37 The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man.
2. Matt 13:38a The field is the world
3. Matt 13:38b the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom
4. Matt 13:38c The weeds are the sons of the evil one
5. Matt 13:39a the enemy who sows them is the devil
6. Matt 13:39b The harvest is the end of the age
7. Matt 13:39c the harvesters are angels ²

Jesus describes the harvest of the weeds

Matt 13:40-42 As the weeds are pulled up 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 weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ³

Jesus describes the good seed

Matt 13:43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. ⁴.

What is sown

1. Wheat
2. Weeds

At harvest

1. Weeds removed and discarded.
2. Wheat harvested into the kingdom.

Who is the Sower?
    The Son of Man (Jesus Himself)

Who is the enemy?
   The devil

Who are the servants?
   The faithful servants of Jesus

Who are the harvesters?
   The angels

Who are the weeds?
   Two possibilities:

1. The unfaithful mixed in with the Church.
2. Or the unsaved in the world is more likely since Jesus tells us that the field is the world.

Who is the Wheat?

The true and faithful who belong to Jesus. Jesus shows us that it is He who sows the seed in the world (the field is the world). He uses us who belong to Him in this process (see Matt 28:19-20). Jesus also points out that He will send His angels to weed the field first (parable: I will tell the harvesters). Thus showing us Jesus has full dominion, in that He sows and He commands the harvesters to reap. Also obviously He owns the field. He also has dominion over us the servants and the harvesters the angels. For Jesus dominion: All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ⁵

The time frame was from Jesus present time (He was setting up His kingdom) on earth until the end of the age (see Matt 13:49-50). One of the commentaries⁶ notes that Jesus phrase in His explanation (in the kingdom of their Father) denotes this might refer to the fulfillment of 1 Cor 15:24 (handing the kingdom over to the Father).

In the parable the servants ask the Master if they should go out and pull the weeds. Matthew Henry points out that the servants in their zeal wanted to handle the situation, and did not take the time to inquire what the Lord's plan was. He also points out that fallible man is not reliable to judge and in doing so might do harm to those who might be saved. And the Master's response was to let them grow together until the harvest for this is God's plan.

Jesus tells us the harvest is the end of the age. Since He said the the weeds would be thrown into the fire, this might line up with Rev 20:11-15 (final judgment). Jesus also noted in the parable and the explanation that He would send His angels out to harvest the weeds and the crop. This is also mentioned a little further down in Matt 13:49. We are also told in Revelation that the enemy would also be dealt with in the end.

Jesus tells us that the wheat will be gathered into His barn and in His explanation that the righteous would shine like the sun in their Father's kingdom. It is not by our righteousness that we would shine but by Jesus righteousness (Rom 5:19; 10:4).

It is amazing how Jesus tells so much with such a short parable. Jesus knew the whole plan of the Father and this was some time before His sacrifice on the Cross. He was instructing His disciples for what they would need to do later. And Jesus had them write it down for us through His Holy Spirit.

For those who do not know Jesus as Lord and Savior, please seek Jesus now and ask Him to come into your life and be your Lord and Savior. Please do not be the weeds which will be thrown into the fire. Jesus came to give you life, real life John 3:16-21.

For those who know Jesus as Lord and Savior, we should be diligent in serving the Lord so that His good seed gets planted. We must be careful not to try and uproot the weeds but leave that to the Lord.