The Parable of The Tares | Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43

Introduction: Until Jesus comes again the preaching of the gospel meets with 4 kinds of hearers. Only one of those represents salvation (vs.18-23). The word of God will be disregarded. The word of God will be responded to superficially. The word of God will be choked out by worldly concerns and ambitions. BUT FOR ALL OF THAT, THE SAVING WORK OF THE KING WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED. The word of God will meet with good soil and supernatural fruit will be the result. The citizens of the kingdom are being gathered in. The members of God’s family in Jesus Christ are brought into being and delivered. THE NEXT PARABLE INTRODUCES ANOTHER FACT ABOUT THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD. The sons of the kingdom are destined to live alongside the sons of the evil one until the end of the age. There will be no separation during this age. Judgment is delayed. Separation is delayed until Christ returns. AND YET, THIS IS NO HINDRANCE TO GOD’S SAVING PURPOSES. THE WORK OF THE KINGDOM MARCHES ON. This is what we learn from the next parable that Jesus gave — the parable of the tares We will examine this parable under four headings. THE PARABLE DECLARED First, listen to what Jesus declared to the crowds. THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN HAS BECOME LIKE THE SITUATION FACED BY A FIELD OWNER (vs.24) It is not the man himself, but the situation faced by this man that can be compared to what our Lord wants us to learn about the kingdom during this age in which we are living. THE OWNER SOWED GOOD SEED IN HIS FIELD BUT AN ENEMY SOWED WEEDS (vs.25) ἐπισπείρω 1 aor. ἐπέσπειρα (s. σπείρω; since Pind., N. 8, 39; Hdt.; Ath. 33, 1) to sow on top of a crop, sow afterward, agricultural t.t. (Theophr., HP 7, 1, 3 of celery seed on top of any other crop that has been put in; 5, 4 sow bitter vetch to protect a crop of radishes against spiders, al.) τὶ someth. ζιζάνια ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ σίτου weeds among the wheat Mt 13:25.—M-M. Most commentators believe that the “weeds” spoken of here was darnel. The lexicon makes reference to this. ζιζάνιον, ου, τό (ApcMos, ch. 16; Geopon.; Etym. Mag. p. 411, 47) prob. (Suda: ζιζάνιον· ἡ ἐν τῷ σίτῳ αἶρα) troublesome weed in grainfields, darnel, cheat That particular weed looked like wheat early on, but once the grain would come into fruition, the two could be distinguished. John Nolland — “Bearded darnel is perhaps the most likely suggestion. This weed looks rather like wheat when young, but matures to have a black seed and plays host to a fungus that can be quite toxic to humans” What Jesus talks about here really happened. In fact, there were Roman laws against this kind of vengeance between competing farmers because this was done so often. It was done for the purpose of making the work more difficult and potentially devaluing the crop. THE SLAVES OF THE FIELD OWNER RECOGNIZED THE LARGE NUMBER OF WEEDS ONCE THE GRAIN APPEARED (vs.26-27) The slaves recognize the problem but are puzzled by it. They knew their master would have been careful to sow good seed. THE MASTER IDENTIFIES THE WORK OF AN ENEMY BUT WANTS IT LEFT ALONE UNTIL HARVEST TIME (vs.28-30a) The master explains that due to the root systems being intertwined, to try and uproot the weeds before the harvest would put the good crop at risk. THE MASTER EXPLAINS THAT HE WILL HAVE THE REAPERS MAKE THE SEPARATION AT HARVEST At that time, the weeds will be gathered, bound, and destroyed, and the wheat will be gathered into his barn. THE EXPLANATION OF THE PARABLE DELAYED Now, you will note that the explanation for this parable is not given right away. Instead, it is explained later when the disciples of Jesus ask Him for the explanation. Why the delay? Why the separation in the chapter? Matthew’s organization in this chapter is communicating the distinction between the crowds, and the disciples of Jesus. Between judgment and grace upon those willing to hear.