Lesson 11: The Parable of the Tares

The Parable of the Tares: The Narrative Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43 “A man sowed good seed in his field” The man was Christ (v. 37; cf. 25:31) The good seeds are the sons of the kingdom (v. 38) These are the product (good soil) of the seed, the Word of God (cf. Lk. 8:11), who are “in” the world but submit freely to the “owner” of the field The field is the world (v. 38) It is the Son of Man’s field (v. 24); He has authority in and over heaven & earth (cf. Matt. 28:18) The enemy is thus trespassing Satan, prince of the world, has invaded Lord’s field 2

The Parable of the Tares: The Narrative Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43 “While men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat” Satan works during a lack of watchfulness The enemy of Christ sows tares out of malice Wants nothing more than to destroy the efforts of Christ to save souls and enlarge the influence of His Kingly reign These tares, the sons of the wicked one (v. 38), are not submitting to Lord’s authority They are those who “offend” and “practice lawlessness” (v. 41) 3

The Parable of the Tares: The Narrative Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43 “At the time of the harvest” The harvest is at the end of the world/age (v. 39), when the Lord returns Angels will be used as reapers, accompanying Christ when He returns (Mt. 25:31; 2 Th. 1:7-9) A separation will occur at the end of time Tares will be removed from the wheat Furnace, weeping, gnashing of teeth (v. 42) “The righteous will shine forth” There is a coming reward for the righteous Their abode will be the eternal kingdom (v. 43) 4

The Parable of the Tares: The Narrative Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43 Jesus stresses His main points Problem of tares fully addressed in harvest (40) Done out of consideration for good seed (v. 29) Problem finally resolved at end of age (v. 41) Angels gather out sons of wicked one Those gathered out properly dealt with (v. 42) Cast into furnace, weeping, gnashing of teeth Blessedness of righteous is described (v. 43) Shining now, but will truly shine forth in the eternal kingdom 5

The Parable of the Tares: Lessons/Truths Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43 Christ is long-suffering, so you can grow. Why let wicked stay around us? Why not judge now? Give you time to grow – concern for you (v. 29) Church discipline is not precluded. Would be contrary to other teachings of Jesus & Paul The realm under discussion is “the world” Point is Jesus Himself will not do anything visible until the end of the age; those in the church, however, have a personal responsibility to withdraw from impenitence The kingdom is both present & future You can be in it now (v. 41-42) & in eternity (v. 43) 6

The Parable of the Tares: Lessons/Truths Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43 Evil and the evil one exist, are “everywhere” and create “situations” for the righteous. All evil in the world is from Satan. He even tries to make his tares look like wheat. The faithful must press on in spite of wicked. There will be a final separation. Count on it. Eternal punishment and eternal blessedness are real. 7

The Parable of the Tares: The Narrative Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43 “Let both grow together until harvest” Forbidden to prematurely gather out the tares Warning against over-zealous efforts to purify by violent means (cf. Luke 9:54) God temporarily tolerates the wicked for the sake of the righteous (cf. 10 righteous in Sodom) 8