The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares (Weeds)
Gospel’s Comparison
24Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;
25but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.
26But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared.
27So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’
28He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’
29But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them.
30Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ”
36Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.”
37He answered and said to them:
“He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.
38The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one.
39The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels.
40Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age.
41The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness,
42and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
43Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!