Wheat, Weeds, and the Work of God (Matthew 13:24–43)
Jesus was a master storyteller. He often used short stories, called parables, to help people understand what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. In this part of Matthew’s Gospel, He shares three powerful parables—each with an important message about how God works in the world and in our lives.
Let’s take a closer look.
The Story of the Wheat and the Weeds
Jesus tells a story about a farmer who plants good seed in his field. But while everyone is sleeping, an enemy sneaks in and plants weeds among the wheat. When the plants start growing, the weeds show up too.
The farmer’s workers ask if they should pull out the weeds right away. But the farmer says no—if they do, they might accidentally pull out the wheat too. He tells them to wait until harvest time. Then the wheat and the weeds will be separated: the wheat gathered into barns, the weeds thrown away and burned.
What does this mean?
Jesus later explains that the wheat represents people who belong to God, and the weeds represent those who choose to follow evil. God is like the farmer—patient and wise. He doesn’t rush to judge or punish. He waits for the right time, when everything will be made clear and justice will come.
The Mustard Seed and the Yeast
Next, Jesus tells two short parables:
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The Mustard Seed: It’s tiny, but it grows into a large plant where birds can rest.
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The Yeast: A small bit of yeast spreads through a whole batch of dough and makes it rise.
These stories show that God’s kingdom often starts small. You might not notice it at first, but it grows quietly and powerfully. A small act of faith, a simple prayer, a kind word—these little things can make a big difference over time.
Why Parables?
Jesus used parables to help people think more deeply. Not everyone understood right away, but those who were really listening—those who were open—would discover the truth. It was His way of reaching people’s hearts, not just their minds.
Jesus Explains the Parable of the Weeds
Later, when Jesus is alone with His disciples, they ask Him to explain the parable of the weeds more clearly. He tells them:
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The field is the world.
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The good seed is the people who belong to God.
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The weeds are those who follow the enemy (the devil).
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The harvest is the end of time.
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The workers are angels who help carry out God’s plan.
At the end of time, God will sort everything out. Evil will be removed, and those who belong to Him will shine like the sun in His kingdom.
What Does This Mean for Us?
Here are a few things we can take away:
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God is patient. Even when we want things fixed right away, He knows the best timing.
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God’s kingdom grows quietly. We may not always see it, but it’s working in the background.
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We are called to grow and stay faithful. Even if we’re surrounded by challenges or negativity, we can still be “good wheat” and live for God.
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God will make things right. In the end, justice and peace will come. He hasn’t forgotten.
Final Thought
Jesus ends this teaching with an invitation: “Whoever has ears, let them hear.” In other words—pay attention. God is speaking through His Word, His Spirit, and even through the small things in life. Let’s listen, trust, and grow—just like the mustard seed, the yeast, and the wheat.
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.