The Wheat and the Tares

By Dale J. Babinsky
    Have you ever planted a garden and struggled to tell the difference between young plants and weeds? Many gardeners, especially those starting from seed, find it difficult to distinguish between the two. This challenge is at the heart of the biblical Parable of the Tares, which follows the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13. Both parables use agricultural imagery to teach about the growth and spread of God’s kingdom, but the Parable of the Tares introduces a new element: the presence of weeds among the wheat.    In Matthew 13:24-27, Jesus describes a man who sows good seed in his field. Unlike cheap seed mixed with weeds, this seed is pure. Jesus later explains that He Himself is the sower, spreading the good seed—the Word of God—throughout the world. Just as Jesus scattered the seed everywhere, believers are called to do the same, sharing the message in all places and circumstances (Matthew 24:14; 28:19; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47; Colossians 1:5-6).    The field represents the world, and the good seed produces the “sons of the kingdom”—those who are obedient and fruitful (Matthew 12:46-50). However, alongside the wheat, tares (weeds) also grow. In the Mediterranean, a weed called darnel closely resembles wheat until it matures. Roman law even punished those who sowed darnel among wheat as an act of revenge, highlighting the real-life relevance of Jesus’ parable. When harvest time comes, the wheat is gathered and preserved, while the tares are burned—a clear reference to Judgment Day (Matthew 13:40-43).   The parable continues in Matthew 13:27-28, where an enemy deliberately sows bad seed among the good. This isn’t just a case of mixed seed; it’s a second, malicious sowing. Jesus identifies the enemy as Satan, who sows chaos, lies, and confusion in the world (Matthew 13:38-39). While Jesus sows truth and righteousness, Satan’s influence leads people astray, often in subtle ways that are not immediately obvious. The result is a world filled with individuals who do not follow God, each doing what seems right in their own eyes.    God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33), yet the world is full of religious confusion. There are thousands of denominational groups, all claiming to wasfollow the same God but teaching different paths to salvation. This diversity of doctrine, often contradictory, is a result of Satan’s deceptive work. Revelation 12:7-9, 15-17 describes Satan’s ongoing war against God and believers, spreading false teachings and encouraging people to “just follow your heart” or choose whatever belief system suits them.     In this environment, it is crucial to be rooted in the good seed—the Gospel message sown by Jesus, which alone has the power to save (Galatians 1:6-9; James 1:21; Romans 1:16). A time of harvest is coming, when those who practice lawlessness will be separated from those who follow God’s will (Matthew 13:40-42; 7:21; 15:13-14; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). The confusion sown by Satan makes the task of evangelism more challenging, as the world sees division and doubts the truth (John 17:20-21).    The world is full of tares—those who do not follow God. But why not uproot them now? The parable teaches that the field is the world and that both good and evil will coexist until the final harvest. While believers are called out of the world, they still live in it and can have a positive influence. Sometimes, what appears to be a tare today may become wheat tomorrow. Ultimately, the separation will come at harvest time, when the true nature of each will be revealed.    Satan has sown much confusion, but it is vital to ensure we are following the right seed—the truth of Jesus. By doing so, we can be confident of our place in the “barn” rather than the fire. As the parable concludes: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

- Dale J. Babinsky preaches for the Great Smoky Mountains Church of Christ in Pigeon Forge, TN. He may be contacted through the congregation's website - https://gsmchurchofchrist.com/