*Matthew 13:24-43
Jesus likens the kingdom of heaven to a field where good seeds are sown, but an enemy sows weeds as well, and the final separation will happen at the harvest.
- The Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds:
- Jesus tells a parable about a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while everyone slept, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat.
- When the plants grew, the weeds appeared alongside the wheat, and the servants asked if they should pull out the weeds.
- The man instructs them to let both grow together until the harvest, at which time the weeds will be gathered and burned, while the wheat will be collected into his barn.
- Explanation of the Parable:
- Jesus explains that the one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man (himself), the field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, and the weeds are the sons of the evil one.
- The harvest represents the end of the age, and the angels will separate the evil from the righteous, casting the evildoers into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
- The Parable of the Mustard Seed:
- Jesus tells another parable about the kingdom of heaven being like a mustard seed, which is small but grows into a tree, providing shelter for the birds of the air.
- The Parable of the Yeast:
- He also compares the kingdom of heaven to yeast that a woman mixed into a large amount of flour, causing it to permeate the whole batch.
- Understanding Parables:
- Jesus concludes by explaining that he speaks in parables to reveal truths about the kingdom of heaven to those who are receptive, while concealing them from those who are not.
Matthew 13:24-43 reminds us that good and evil exist together in the world, but God is in control and will bring justice at the right time. Just as a farmer allows wheat and weeds to grow together until the harvest, we may face challenges and unfairness in life, but we can trust that God sees everything and will set things right. This passage encourages us to stay faithful and focus on growing in our faith, knowing that God’s kingdom will flourish. It also reminds us that even small acts of faith, like a tiny mustard seed, can grow into something great when we trust in God’s power.
Matthew 13:24-43 (WEB)
13:24 He set another parable before them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while people slept, his enemy came and sowed darnel weeds also among the wheat, and went away. 26 But when the blade sprang up and produced grain, then the darnel weeds appeared also. 27 The servants of the householder came and said to him, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where did these darnel weeds come from?’28 “He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and gather them up?’29 “But he said, ‘No, lest perhaps while you gather up the darnel weeds, you root up the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the harvest time I will tell the reapers, “First, gather up the darnel weeds, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ”31 He set another parable before them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took, and sowed in his field, 32 which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches.”33 He spoke another parable to them. “The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, until it was all leavened.”34 Jesus spoke all these things in parables to the multitudes; and without a parable, he didn’t speak to them, 35 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying,“I will open my mouth in parables;I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.”36 Then Jesus sent the multitudes away, and went into the house. His disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the darnel weeds of the field.”37 He answered them, “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, 38 the field is the world, the good seeds are the children of the Kingdom, and the darnel weeds are the children of the evil one. 39 The enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 As therefore the darnel weeds are gathered up and burned with fire; so will it be at the end of this age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his Kingdom all things that cause stumbling and those who do iniquity, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.