Lesson 11:

The Parable of the TaresThe Parable of the Tares

The Parable of the Tares:The Parable of the Tares:The NarrativeThe Narrative

• ““A man sowed good seed in his field”A man sowed good seed in his field”– The man was Christ (v. 37; cf. 25:31)The man was Christ (v. 37; cf. 25:31)– The good seeds are the sons of the kingdom (v. The good seeds are the sons of the kingdom (v.

38)38)• These are the product (good soil) of the seed, the These are the product (good soil) of the seed, the

Word of God (cf. Lk. 8:11), who are “in” the world but Word of God (cf. Lk. 8:11), who are “in” the world but submit freely to the “owner” of the fieldsubmit freely to the “owner” of the field

– The field is the world (v. 38)The field is the world (v. 38)• It is the Son of Man’s field (v. 24); He has authority in It is the Son of Man’s field (v. 24); He has authority in

and over heaven & earth (cf. Matt. 28:18)and over heaven & earth (cf. Matt. 28:18)• The enemy is thus trespassingThe enemy is thus trespassing• Satan, prince of the world, has invaded Lord’s fieldSatan, prince of the world, has invaded Lord’s field

Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43

The Parable of the Tares:The Parable of the Tares:The NarrativeThe Narrative

• ““While men slept, his enemy came While men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat”and sowed tares among the wheat”– Satan works during a lack of watchfulnessSatan works during a lack of watchfulness– The enemy of Christ sows tares out of The enemy of Christ sows tares out of

malicemalice• Wants nothing more than to destroy the efforts Wants nothing more than to destroy the efforts

of Christ to save souls and enlarge the influence of Christ to save souls and enlarge the influence of His Kingly reignof His Kingly reign

– These tares, the sons of the wicked one (v. These tares, the sons of the wicked one (v. 38), are not submitting to Lord’s authority38), are not submitting to Lord’s authority• They are those who “offend” and “practice They are those who “offend” and “practice

lawlessness” (v. 41)lawlessness” (v. 41)

Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43

The Parable of the Tares:The Parable of the Tares:The NarrativeThe Narrative

• ““At the time of the harvest”At the time of the harvest”– The harvest is at the end of the world/age (v. The harvest is at the end of the world/age (v.

39), when the Lord returns39), when the Lord returns– Angels will be used as reapers, Angels will be used as reapers,

accompanying Christ when He returns (Mt. accompanying Christ when He returns (Mt. 25:31; 2 Th. 1:7-9)25:31; 2 Th. 1:7-9)

– A separation will occur at the end of timeA separation will occur at the end of time• Tares will be removed from the wheatTares will be removed from the wheat• Furnace, weeping, gnashing of teeth (v. 42)Furnace, weeping, gnashing of teeth (v. 42)

– ““The righteous will shine forth”The righteous will shine forth”• There is a coming reward for the righteousThere is a coming reward for the righteous• Their abode will be the eternal kingdom (v. 43)Their abode will be the eternal kingdom (v. 43)

Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43

The Parable of the Tares:The Parable of the Tares:The NarrativeThe Narrative

• Jesus stresses His main pointsJesus stresses His main points– Problem of tares fully addressed in harvest (40)Problem of tares fully addressed in harvest (40)

• Done out of consideration for good seed (v. 29)Done out of consideration for good seed (v. 29)

– Problem finally resolved at end of age (v. 41)Problem finally resolved at end of age (v. 41)• Angels gather out sons of wicked oneAngels gather out sons of wicked one

– Those gathered out properly dealt with (v. 42)Those gathered out properly dealt with (v. 42)• Cast into furnace, weeping, gnashing of teethCast into furnace, weeping, gnashing of teeth

– Blessedness of righteous is described (v. 43)Blessedness of righteous is described (v. 43)• Shining now, but will truly shine forth in the eternal Shining now, but will truly shine forth in the eternal

kingdomkingdom

Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43

The Parable of the Tares:The Parable of the Tares:Lessons/TruthsLessons/Truths

• Christ is long-suffering, so you can grow.Christ is long-suffering, so you can grow.– Why let wicked stay around us? Why not judge Why let wicked stay around us? Why not judge

now?now?– Give you time to grow – concern for you (v. 29)Give you time to grow – concern for you (v. 29)

• Church discipline is not precluded.Church discipline is not precluded.– Would be contrary to other teachings of Jesus & PaulWould be contrary to other teachings of Jesus & Paul– The realm under discussion is “the world”The realm under discussion is “the world”– Point is Jesus Himself will not do anything visible Point is Jesus Himself will not do anything visible

until the end of the age; those in the church, until the end of the age; those in the church, however, have a personal responsibility to withdraw however, have a personal responsibility to withdraw from impenitence from impenitence

• The kingdom is both present & futureThe kingdom is both present & future– You can be in it now (v. 41-42) & in eternity (v. 43)You can be in it now (v. 41-42) & in eternity (v. 43)

Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43

The Parable of the Tares:The Parable of the Tares:Lessons/TruthsLessons/Truths

• Evil and the evil one exist, are Evil and the evil one exist, are “everywhere” and create “situations” for “everywhere” and create “situations” for the righteous.the righteous.

• All evil in the world is from Satan.All evil in the world is from Satan.– He even tries to make his tares look like He even tries to make his tares look like

wheat.wheat.

• The faithful must press on in spite of The faithful must press on in spite of wicked.wicked.

• There will be a final separation. Count There will be a final separation. Count on it.on it.

• Eternal punishment and eternal Eternal punishment and eternal blessedness are real.blessedness are real.

Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43

The Parable of the Tares:The Parable of the Tares:The NarrativeThe Narrative

• ““Let both grow together until Let both grow together until harvest”harvest”– Forbidden to prematurely gather out the Forbidden to prematurely gather out the

tarestares– Warning against over-zealous efforts to Warning against over-zealous efforts to

purify by violent means (cf. Luke 9:54)purify by violent means (cf. Luke 9:54)– God temporarily tolerates the wicked for God temporarily tolerates the wicked for

the sake of the righteous (cf. 10 righteous the sake of the righteous (cf. 10 righteous in Sodom)in Sodom)

Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43