Daily Devotions
Matthew
Explanation of the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares
Text: Matthew 13 : 24 - 43
The disciples, having heard Jesus explain the parable of The Sower, immediately sought an explanation from Him. They knew that they would never be able to come anywhere close to His level of understanding. Eagerly they awaited His exposition of the parable.
“He answered and said to them:
‘He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.
The field is the world,
the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom,
but the tares are the sons of the wicked one.
The enemy who sowed them is the devil,
the harvest is the end of the age,
and the reapers are the angels.'”
MATTHEW 13:37-39
A STRAIGHTFORWARD, RAPID FIRE APPROACH
We observe a startlingly new approach taken by Jesus in this text. The elements that made up the storyline in the parable of The Wheat and The Tares are clearly and crisply delineated!
1. Similarities
In comparative work, we note similarities. In this parable, the devil is mentioned once again. His work is not to be ignored.
2. Differences (Variation)
There are differences between the first two parables!
a) The sower is identified as The Son of Man Himself.
b) The “seed” is used differently.
It now refers to “the sons of the kingdom”. This variation needs to be noted. Varied applications are allowed.
3. New Elements
New ideas are brought in. They are introduced as follows:-
a) The harvest
This is a reference to “the end of the age”.
b) The reapers
This builds on the idea of the end of the age. Angels would be sent by God to function as reapers.
4. Building on the first parable
Jesus built on the first parable. What a brilliant idea to build a series of parables on the theme of “The kingdom of God”.
FOCUS ON THE END OF THE AGE
In the parable of The Wheat and The Tares, there is special focus on the end of the age. Let us ponder the words Jesus spoke as He applied the parable.
“Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire,
so it will be at the end of this age.
The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather
out of His kingdom all things that offend,
and those who practise lawlessness,
and will cast them into the furnace of fire.
There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun
in the kingdom of their Father.
He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
MATTHEW 13:40-43
1. Not a “scare tactic”
Though Jesus emphasized the “end of the age” in this parable, He did not use it as a “scare tactic’.
a) Fear versus faith
Fear is not faith! Fear is often a temporary feeling. In due course, the sense of fear diminishes.
b) Knowledge versus fear
What Jesus did was to emphasize knowledge. He wanted His disciples to know for a fact that there will come a day of judgment. There will be a final separation between the sons of the kingdom and the sons of the wicked one!
2. How God will judge between the wicked and the righteous
a) Characteristics of the sons of the devil
i) They are called “things that offend”.
ii) They are also distinguished as people who “practise lawlessness”.
b) Punishment of the wicked
i) This is described as a “furnace of fire”.
ii) There will be “wailing and gnashing of teeth” (frustration and regret).
c) The Joy of the righteous
i) They will shine forth as the sun.
ii) They will be in the kingdom of the Father