"The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while he slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way." (vv. 24-25)
Chapter 13 is often called, The Kingdom Parables. Parables generally teach one main point or principle. The idea behind the word parable is “to throw alongside of.” It is a story thrown alongside the truth intended to teach. Parables have been called “earthly stories with a heavenly meaning.” A parable is not an allegory; an allegory is a story in which every possible detail has an inner meaning; but an allegory has to be read and studied; a parable is heard. We must be very careful not to make allegories of the parables.
One of the parables spoken by Jesus here in chapter 13 is the parable of “The Wheat and the Tares” (vv. 24-30), a story many in an Agrarian society could identify with. The good wheat coexisting along side with the bad tares sowed by an enemy. And the wisdom of the master in allowing them both to grow together until harvest time, at which point the difference would be manifested. The tares then would be gathered into bundles and burned, but the wheat would be gathered and placed into the barn.
In this parable the field is the world, the wheat the sons of the kingdom, and the tears are the sons of the wicked one. This world was created (planted) by God and for His good pleasure, and He (the master) has allowed the good to flourish along with the bad in it. However, like all creation, this world will have an end. Then, at the end of days, there will be a great harvest-day, a day of judgment. During that harvest, all is ripe and ready to be cut down. Some to be burned with fire, while others will be gathered and placed into His Kingdom.
At that time, better to be the wheat than the tares.
The Truth: And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” (Revelation 14:15)
