Both in the Field

Matthew 13:24

24Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

Matthew 13:24 answers the question why this parable follows the Parable of the Sower.  Yeshua had just sowed the word of God in the field.

Matthew 13:25

25But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

It was while men slept that the tares were planted.  It is when one is not as vigilant as one should be that tares are planted with wheat. Tares are something God never intended to be planted.

Tares resemble wheat, however, tares are not wheat.  The grains of the tares are black.  Darnel is the most common of the 4 types of tares found in Israel.  It is bearded and grows in the grain fields as tall as wheat and barley.  It is often called degenerate wheat.  Some have named it bastard.  It is easily distinguishable from wheat when it grows up.  However, in the early stages of growth, tares is indistinguishable from wheat.

The Tares’ seeds are poisonous to man and animals.  Tares can cause sleepiness, nausea, convulsions and even death.  Tares and wheat can be separated out; however, it is the custom to wait until the harvest.  This is so that the wheat is not inadvertently plucked up.

Matthew 13:26-27

26But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?

It was not until the plants grew up that it was noticed that there was both wheat and tares in the field.  Note where the tares came from, Matthew 13:28A.

28AHe said unto them, An enemy hath done this.

Later, Yeshua will leave no doubt as to who is the enemy.  The servants asks an interesting question, Matthew 13:28B.

28BThe servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

Master’s response in Matthew 13:29-30.

29But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

The master is waiting for the harvest to avoid accidentally removing the wheat along with the tares.  This means that there is both in the fields.  In the early stages, one is indistinguishable from the other.  Until, they are mature.

Next We Must Mature

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