THE PARABLE OF THE TARES
-Matthew 13:24-30, 37-43
-Jesus begins this parable as He does the remaining parables in this chapter with the
phrase, “The kingdom of heaven is” (vs 31,33,45,47). Therefore, we find that Jesus
is giving information that pertains to the church. However, because of this opening
statement, I’m afraid that there are those who misunderstand the application of this
information. We’ll address this a little later in our study of this parable.
-General synopsis: A man sowed good seed in his field but an enemy sowed tares.
When they first started to grow, the difference could not be discerned. However, when
they brought forth fruit the difference was revealed. The servants inquired of the
householder to see if he wanted them to pull up the tares. He declined for fear of
uprooting the wheat as well. Therefore, the wheat and tares were allowed to grow
together until the harvest . At that time, they were separated.
-Main Point: There is a day of judgment coming when good and evil will be separated.
-A possibility: Perhaps Jesus was giving this parable to the multitude because He knew
of their expectations for the promised kingdom. Many people were expecting the
Messiah to establish an earthly kingdom from which He would rule, be exalted and
put down His enemies. In other words, they were expecting something to be done with
those tares at the time the kingdom was established. However, in this parable, Jesus
reveals that the tares would remain and divine justice (separation) would be reserved
for the harvest which is the “end of the world” (vs 39).
-The Parable of the Tares and Church Discipline
-Some have drawn some inappropriate conclusions from this parable due to a
misunderstanding about where the wheat and tares are located. Since Jesus is giving
this parable pertaining to the church, some conclude that the wheat and tares are both
located within the church. Therefore, this parable is sometimes appealed to in
opposition to church discipline. However, one needs to consider some additional
passages that deal directly with proper church discipline: Rom 16:17, 1 Cor 5:9-11,
2 Thess 3:6,14-15, Matt 18:15-17. Clearly, these passages teach that there is a time for
disciplinary action to be taken. It should be done with meekness and gentleness with
love as the motivating factor. We are to be concerned for one another’s spiritual well-
being. (See Gal 6:1-2). It is not an easy or pleasant situation but it is still profitable
(see Heb 12:11) and should be done in accordance with the instructions of the
scriptures. This is an area in which we are falling short today. If we stand back and do
nothing at all, as some suggest this parable teaches, then we are not helping others to
prepare for the judgment. Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 24:44, “Therefore be
ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” At the time
of the judgment it will be too late for the tares.
-But what about the parable? Where are the wheat and the tares? Jesus answers this for
us in His own explanation. Notice verse 38, “The field is the world…” In other
words, those in the church would still have to abide in this world along with the
tares. This will remain the situation until the “end of the world” (vs 39). Therefore, we
are instructed to sanctify ourselves from the sinful ways of the world. “Wherefore
come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the
unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my
sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2 Cor 6:17-18). In 1 Corinthians 5:9-11,
Paul explained that we cannot avoid those living in sin altogether “for then ye must
needs go out of the world” (vs 10). Remember, the wheat and tares grow together in
the world. However, in verse 11 he explains that disciplinary action should be taken
“if any man that is called a brother” is abiding in sin. We need to do our best to be
“…stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…” (1 Cor 15:58)
knowing that there is coming a day (the day of judgment) when the wheat and the tares
will be eternally separated. Therein, we find the main point of this parable.
-What is the kingdom referring to in verse 41?
-Perhaps some have had difficulty with the use of “his kingdom” in verse 41. Is this
referring to the church or something else? Here, we find that our basic principle of
considering the context is very important. Remember in verses 24 and 25 that the
good seed and tares were sown into the same field which Jesus said is the world.
Therefore, the harvesting would take place in that same field. A person does not sow in
one field and reap in another. Therefore, “his kingdom” in verse 41 is describing the
world. And, notice that those who do iniquity are gathered out of “his kingdom” and
cast into the furnace of fire. In verse 30, we are told that it is the tares that are burned.
The tares are in the world and are gathered out of the world. Therefore, “his kingdom”
is descriptive of the world. Remember, Jesus is in authority over all. (See Eph 1:19-23
and Col 1:16-17). Therefore, the world in general can be described as His kingdom.
We then have another use of the word “kingdom” in verse 43 which obviously
represents the eternal home of heaven. Therefore, the word “kingdom” is used in
different ways in this parable. To understand the various uses, one must consider the
context in order to draw the the proper conclusions.