…

The Parable Of The Tares Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Setting  On Western shore of Sea of Galilee; late in 2nd year of preaching  During the Great Galilean Ministry  Jesus is beginning a “2nd tour” of Galilee Lk 8:1 The Tares Matt 13:24-30, 36-43

Setting  Not recorded in Mk 4 or in Lk 8  Some see this parable as a “natural follow-up” to the Parable Of The Sower Similarities  Imagery of sowing seed  Good soil/seed exists alongside evil The Tares Matt 13:24-30, 36-43

Setting  Some see this parable as a “natural follow-up” to the Parable Of The Sower Differences  Sower parable deals with inside obstacles (hearts receiving the seed)  Tares parable has with outward difficulties The Tares Matt 13:24-30, 36-43

The Parable  A man sowed seed in his field  Later, his enemy sows tares in the same  This becomes evident when both grow and bear their respective grains  His servants want to uproot all the tares  He says no…wait until harvest The Tares Matt 13:24-30, 36-43

The Parable  “Parable Particulars” vv  The sower = Jesus  The field = the world  The wheat (good seed) = kingdom sons  The tares (bad seed) = sons of the devil (the 2 types of “sons” 1 Jn 3:7-10 ) The Tares Matt 13:24-30, 36-43

The Parable  “Parable Particulars” vv  The enemy = Satan  The harvest = the end of the age  The reapers = the angels The Tares Matt 13:24-30, 36-43

The Parable  “Parable Particulars” vv  Some believe the “kingdom” refers to the church, based on v. 41  Inconsistent with v. 38  One cannot “sow” in one field (world) and gather out of another (church) The Tares Matt 13:24-30, 36-43

The Parable  “Parable Particulars” vv  “Kingdom” must be seen in its context  Refers to the total sphere of Christ’s sovereign rule 2 Cor 5:10 Eph 1:20-23  Even re: those who in rebellion against Him Lk 19:14-15, 27 Jn 12:46-48 The Tares Matt 13:24-30, 36-43

The Parable  What are “tares?”  Darnel (a weedy grass) that resembles wheat in early stages of growth  Not distinguishable until both come into the head  Its grain is black when mature The Tares Matt 13:24-30, 36-43

The Parable  What are “tares?”  A noxious plant…harmful if consumed  If left to mingle with the wheat into the bread, tares cause dizziness and often acts as an emetic (vomit inducement) The Tares Matt 13:24-30, 36-43

The Parable  The enemy was “crafty” v. 25 cp. Gen 3:1 2 Cor 2:11 11:14  Satan doesn’t just want God’s crop destroyed…he also sows his own  Landowner not lazy, negligent  Satan persists Eph 6:11-12, 16 Lk 4:13b The Tares Matt 13:24-30, 36-43

The Parable  Strong implication from v. 26  Unable to tell the wheat from the tares  Laborers instructed to leave alone until the harvest  Human judgment is not the same as Divine wisdom The Tares Matt 13:24-30, 36-43

The Application  God has chosen to allow evil to exist in the world alongside His “seed”  Remember again Daniel’s prophecy  A powerful kingdom Dan 2:34-35, 44  Some think all evil must be “blasted away” before it comes [premillennial] The Tares Matt 13:24-30, 36-43

The Application  Others misapply re: church discipline  Churches must “tolerate” offenders until the judgment  Such an interpretation fails on 2 points: Ê “Field” = the world, not the church v. 38 The Tares Matt 13:24-30, 36-43

The Application  Others misapply re: church discipline  Churches must “tolerate” offenders until the judgment  Such an interpretation fails on 2 points: Ë This view ignores the teaching found in 1 Cor 5:4-7 The Tares Matt 13:24-30, 36-43

The Application  We can’t judge the “indistinguishable”  But all things eventually become evident vv. 26, 30  We can (and must) judge fruit Mt 7:15-16, 20 The Tares Matt 13:24-30, 36-43

The Application  Points of emphasis –  Satan holds sway in the world 1 Jn 5:19  Our role is not landowner, nor reaper  God alone possesses the wisdom to know when to act…He cannot be “mocked” Gal 6:7-9 2 Tim 3:5a The Tares Matt 13:24-30, 36-43

The Application  Points of emphasis –  God didn’t remove all evil to ensure success for His kingdom in the world  His seed has power Rom 1:16  God has a harvest planned…all things will eventually sort themselves out The Tares Matt 13:24-30, 36-43

…