The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares (Weeds)

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The Parable of the Weeds, also known as the Parable of the Tares, can be found in Matthew 13:24-30 and Matthew 13:36-43. Jesus used parables to teach important lessons using everyday activities and real-life examples. In this parable, Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to a farmer sowing his wheat seed in his field. However, an enemy committed an act of sabotage by planting tares or weeds in the same field. The crucial point of this story is how the plants need to be separated. Jesus provides a proper way to maintain the health of the wheat and yet remove the weeds.

Matthew 13:24: “Another parable He put forth to them, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;” This parable takes place after the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23), when Jesus finds himself speaking to an immense crowd on the beautiful beach of the Sea of Galilee. The crowd was so vast that Jesus had to stand on a boat offshore, creating a picturesque scene with the sun setting in the background. Jesus begins to use the example of a farmer to explain what the kingdom of heaven is like. Such an illustration was fitting since farming was a common occupation, and the people could quickly relate to the practices of farming and fishing.  The farmer in this parable sows only good seeds in his field.  There are three questions that arise from this parable.  Jesus answers three critical questions that arise from this parable in Matthew 13:37-38, which can help us better understand its meaning and how it relates to the kingdom of heaven.  For now, what is your best answer to these questions:

Who is the man? It will later be revealed as “Jesus.”

What does the good seed represent?  It will later be revealed as the “sons of the kingdom.”

What does the field represent?  It will later be revealed as “the world.”

Matthew 13:25: “but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.” While the men were asleep at night, the enemy took advantage of the darkness and performed his mischievous and deceitful acts. The enemy prefers to remain unseen, as he does not want any witnesses to his wickedness. Jesus has yet to reveal the identity of this enemy, but it is clear that he works against the man who sowed the good seed in the field. The enemy intentionally sowed tares or weeds among the wheat to cause deliberate sabotage and disrupt the field's prosperity. 

What was the weed called back in Jesus’ time?  The type of weed that was common in those days was called “darnel.”  Botanists call it (Lolium Temulentum) which looks very similar to the wheat when it is a young plant.  Darnel, is a noxious weed that closely resembles wheat during its early growth phase. However, as it matures, its distinguishable characteristics become more apparent. The plant can grow to a height of up to 3 feet and has long, slender leaves with a bluish-green tint. The seed heads are compact and spike-like, and the seeds themselves are shiny and black. While the plant may seem harmless at first glance, it is important to note that the seeds of the darnel are highly poisonous and can cause severe illness if ingested.

Matthew 13:26: “But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared.” The farmer had a pure and productive intention when he planted his field with only good wheat seeds, hoping to harvest a bountiful crop. The grain sprouted and grew well, but weeds, known as Darnel or tares, also appeared among the wheat. At the early stages of growth, it is difficult to distinguish between Darnel and wheat, as they look similar. The roots of the weeds and wheat would have become entangled by the time they were recognized as different plants. According to Matthew 13:38, the field is a metaphor for the world, where the sons of the kingdom, or the good seed, live alongside the sons of the wicked ones, or the weeds. This signifies that the people of the kingdom coexist with those of the evil ones in this world.

Matthew 13:27: “So 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?’”  The process of cultivating crops involves various tasks such as protecting them from animals, watering them if necessary, and harvesting. Once the seedlings sprouted, the servants observed that the weeds grew alongside the healthy wheat. Initially, they went unnoticed as wheat and darnel seedlings look almost identical. However, the difference becomes more noticeable once the wheat plants begin to bear grain. By this time, the roots of both plants would be intermixed in the soil. Hence, the servants went to their master and asked two questions.

Firstly, they asked, “Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field?” This was a typical investigation tactic, as the servants tried to identify the point where the process broke down. As with previous plantings, the servants knew their master had planted good seeds. Therefore, they asked the second question, “How then does it have tares?” The servants knew that nothing bad could come from the farmer, not bad seed, or tares. Thus, if the farmer did not plant the bad seed, someone else must have sowed the bad seed when the servants were asleep.

Some scholars believe that the responsibility of tending the field rests solely on the servants. However, nowhere is it written in scripture that this conclusion has merit.

Matthew 13:28: “He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’” The farmer had put in a lot of effort to ensure that his farm produced a good yield by planting high-quality seeds.  He reassured the servants that the seeds he had planted were of good quality and that the weeds were the result of an enemy's sabotage.  The farmer eventually revealed the culprit's identity by saying, "An enemy has done this." Interestingly, Jesus did not reveal the identity of the enemy at that time, but instead waited until later in Matthew 13:39 to name the enemy. 

Was sowing weeds in another person’s field a crime under Roman Law?  Yes.  The act of sowing weeds in a field for the sake of seeking revenge was a serious crime under Roman legislation. This is suggested by the existence of a specific law on the subject, which implies that such actions were not uncommon. Alastair Kerr, a legal scholar, explains that in 533 C.E., the Roman Emperor Justinian compiled a summary of Roman law, including a collection of extracts from classical jurists. One such jurist was Ulpian, who referred to a case that had been considered by the Roman statesman Celsus in the second century. The case involved the malicious sowing of weeds in someone else's field, which resulted in damage to the crop. The Digest, 9.2.27.14 a part of Justinian's work, explains the legal remedies that were available to the victim to seek compensation from the wrongdoer.

The fact that such malicious behavior occurred within the Roman Empire in ancient times indicates that the situation described by Jesus was not an exaggeration. Jesus used the illustration of an enemy sowing weeds among wheat in a field to describe the presence of evil among the righteous. This illustrates the reality of how destructive actions can impact others, even in the context of agriculture. The consequences of such actions can be devastating, not only to the crops but also to the relationships between individuals.

Text from Digest, 9.2.27.14 (https://droitromain.univ-grenoble-alpes.fr/Anglica/D9_Scott.htm)  (14) “Therefore, Celsus makes the inquiry, if you sowed darnel or weeds in the wheat-field of another, the owner of the same can not only institute proceedings under the interdict Quod vi aut clam, (or if the land is leased, the tenant can do so) but he can also bring an action in factum; and if the tenant brings it he must give security that no other proceedings shall be instituted; this, of course, being done in order to prevent the owner from causing further annoyance, for it is one kind of damage to destroy or change something, for the purpose of giving cause for a suit under the Lex Aquilia; and another, when, without changing the substance of the article itself, you mingle something with it, the separation of which would be troublesome.”

Upon seeing the wheat crop, the servants asked the farmer if he wanted them to go and pull up the weeds. They were impressed by the wheat's growth and wanted to ensure that it would continue to thrive. They understood that removing the bad weeds from the good wheat crop was the right thing to do, as it would create a better environment for the wheat to grow. This would enable the wheat to have better access to sunlight and absorb more nutrients from the soil, resulting in a better harvest.

However, the farmer knew that removing the weeds would not be an easy task. If the servants went out to pull the weeds, they would most likely pull the roots and some of the wheat's roots as well. This would not allow the wheat to ripen properly and could reduce the harvest. The farmer explained that although the weeds were competing for the same resources as the wheat, they were also providing some benefits to the crops. The weeds help to retain moisture in the soil and provide shade to the wheat during the hottest parts of the day.

Matthew 13:29: “But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them.” At this moment, the servants expect the farmer to agree with their suggestion to remove the weeds from the field.

What was the enemy’s plan?  The enemy intends to ruin the farmer's harvest by either getting the servants to pull up the wheat along with the weeds or by suffocating the field with too many weeds, which would hinder the growth of the wheat.

How does the farmer’s solution combat the enemy’s agenda?   The farmer instructed the servants not to gather the weeds, as he had discovered the enemy's plot in time to prevent it. The harvest has been saved, and the wheat will continue growing until it reaches maturity, or until the weeds interfere.

Why does the farmer tell the servants not gather up the weeds?  There are several reasons why the master forbids the servants from gathering the weeds. Firstly, the roots of the weeds are intertwined with the roots of the wheat. Removing the weeds would damage the wheat roots and could result in stunted growth or the death of the plant. Secondly, it is not the appropriate time to remove the weeds. As per the master's plan mentioned in Matthew 13:30, the servants should wait for the wheat to grow, harvest the weeds, and then the wheat. Lastly, the servants are not qualified to handle such a responsibility. The farmer has a different solution to who will harvest the wheat.

Matthew 13:30: “Let 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.’” “Let both grow together until the harvest.”  The farmer reveals his strategy for dealing with this attempt of sabotage by the enemy.  Several scholars believe this is a similar parable directed within the visible church.  Both good and evil individuals live side-by-side with one another in the church.  As each weed plant and wheat grow to harvest, so do the individuals in the church.  The faithful Christian will develop and ripen like the wheat plant while the weed will also ripen to its potential, but like the wheat plant, the Christian is filled with the Holy Spirit, being blessed by God and furthering His kingdom.  While the non-believer, or the darnel or weed plant, even though being in church is filled with deception and hypocrisy, never knows the Holy Spirit.   Once each plant has ripened to its fullness, it will be evident to the reapers which is wheat, and which is a weed.

“At the time of harvest.” During harvest time, the fields are at their peak and it's time to gather up the crops. When each plant has fully ripened, it becomes clear to the reapers which are wheat and which are weeds.

Who is responsible for the harvest?  The reapers.  The reapers are better equipped to determine who is a Christian and a hypocrite. They also have no biased opinion when making their decision.

“First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles.”  Why do the reapers gather up the weeds first?  There are a few reasons why the reapers gather up the weeds first. Firstly, when all the plants grow together, it becomes easier to distinguish between the wheat and weed plants. Secondly, the reaper does not have to be careful in removing the weeds, as they can be pulled out easily. Thirdly, when the weeds are uprooted, their roots come out together with the plant. This way, even if the roots of the weeds are tangled with the wheat roots, they can still be pulled out of the soil.  If the wheat is pulled up by accident, it is already ripened to its fullness and can easily be set aside safely.

What happens to the weeds after they are bundled together?  Once the weeds have been gathered together, they are bundled and burned, signifying the purification of the land. In religious contexts, the fire is often compared to God's judgment, and the act of burning the weeds is interpreted as a symbol of the final judgment of all people. This comparison is further reinforced by the fact that the burning process is often associated with the harvest season, during which the fruits of one's labor are gathered and judged for their quality. Thus, the burning of weeds is a powerful image that captures both the idea of purification and the notion of divine judgment. 

After the reapers gather up the wheat, where do the reapers put the wheat?  In the barn.

Parable of the Weeds Explained

Matthew 13:36: “Then 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.’” In this passage, we see that Jesus dismissed the crowd and went into a house with his disciples. While the disciples did not ask for an explanation of every parable, they wanted to learn more about the parable of the weeds in the field. Jesus then provided them with a more detailed explanation of the parable as recorded in Matthew 13:37-43.  It's worth noting that the word "tares" used in this passage is commonly used to mean "weeds" today. The original Greek word for "tares" was ζιζάνιον (zizanion), which refers to a common weed called "Darnel" (Lolium Temulentum). When the Darnel is young, it looks very similar to wheat. However, it's quite dangerous for humans as it's very intoxicating. Eating its seeds can make you dizzy and nauseous, affect your vision and speech, and in larger quantities, it can even be fatal.  Farmers would try to separate Darnel from the crop, but they could never get rid of all of it. This is because the plant's survival strategy requires its seed to be harvested along with domesticated grasses like wheat, oats, or rye. These seeds would then be stored and replanted next season.

Matthew 13:37: “He answered and said to them: “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.” In Matthew 13:24, Jesus responds to his disciples by explaining the parable of the wheat and the weeds. He tells them that the man who sowed good seed in his field is actually the Son of Man, which is another name for Jesus himself. This means that Jesus is the one who sows the good seed, which represents the children of the kingdom, i.e., Christians.

The phrase "sows good seed" refers to preaching the Gospel. By doing so, Jesus is spreading the word of God and planting the seeds of faith in people's hearts. The "good seed" represents those who receive and accept the message of the Gospel, and as a result, become followers of Christ.

If the man who sows the good seed is the Son of man, who is the Son of man? Jesus.  Jesus commonly described himself as the "Son of Man," a phrase that appears 81 times in the four Gospels and 85 times in the New Testament. This title emphasized Jesus' humanity and his identification with the people he came to save. By tying the "man who sowed the good seed" with the "Son of Man," Jesus is emphasizing his role as the savior of humanity and the one who spreads the Gospel to all who will listen. Bible verses referring to Jesus as the “Son of Man:” Matthew 8:20, Matthew 9:6, Matthew 10:23, Matthew 11:19, Matthew 12:8, Matthew 12:32, Matthew 12:40, Matthew 13:37, Matthew 13:41, Matthew 16:13, Matthew 16:27, Matthew 16:28, Matthew 17:9, Matthew 17:12, Matthew 17:22, Matthew 18:11, Matthew 19:28, Matthew 20:18, Matthew 20:28, Matthew 24:27, Matthew 24:30, Matthew 24:37, Matthew 24:39, Matthew 24:44, Matthew 25:13, Matthew 25:31, Matthew 26:2, Matthew 26:24, Matthew 26:45, Matthew 26:64, Mark 2:10, Mark 2:28, Mark 8:31, Mark 9:9, Mark 9:12, Mark 9:31, Mark 10:33, Mark 10:45, Mark 13:26, Mark 13:34, Mark 14:21, Mark 14:41, Mark 14:62, Luke 5:24, Luke 6:5, Luke 6:22, Luke 7:34, Luke 9:22, Luke 9:26, Luke 9:44, Luke 9:56, Luke 9:58, Luke 11:30, Luke 12:8, Luke 12:10, Luke 12:40, Luke 17:22, Luke 17:24, Luke 17:26, Luke 17:30, Luke 18:8, Luke 18:31, Luke 19:10, Luke 21:27, Luke 21:36, Luke 22:22, Luke 22:48, Luke 22:69, Luke 24:7, John 1:51, John 3:13, John 3:14, John 5:27, John 6:27, John 6:53, John 6:62, John 8:28, John 12:23, John 12:34, John 13:31, Acts 7:56, Hebrews 2:6, Revelation 1:13, Revelation 14:14.

Matthew 13:38: “The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one.” Jesus defines three elements of the parable in this verse; the field, the good seed, and the tares. 

(1) What is the field?  The field is the world.  In this parable, Jesus uses the metaphor of a farmer sowing seed in a field to explain the nature of righteousness in the world.  The good seed represents the righteous people who are sown into the world by God.  Jesus emphasizes that the field in this parable refers to the world, rather than the kingdom, as some commentators have suggested. Within this vast field, both good and evil coexist. The Devil and his followers are present alongside those who belong to God's children. This is similar to the tares growing with the wheat, where both plants grow together until the time of harvest.

(2) What does the good seed represent?  The good seeds are the sons of the kingdom.  The kingdom's children, who are also known as "God's people", hold a special place in the king's heart. They are considered the heirs of the kingdom, and the kingdom of heaven has been specifically prepared for them. These children of God are the result of His tireless efforts and represent the very fruit of His labor. They embody the purest qualities of goodness, kindness, and compassion which makes them the perfect recipients of His eternal kingdom.

(3) What do the weeds represent?  The tares, or weeds, are the sons of the wicked one.  Those who reject the teachings of Christ are often referred to as the "children of the wicked one." These individuals are believed to belong to the Devil who embody his nature in their thoughts, words, and actions. They are considered to be diametrically opposed to those who have accepted Christ and are said to be living in a state of spiritual darkness.  The children of the wicked one are those who have refused to be born again in Christ and who have instead chosen to follow their own desires and inclinations. They are said to be under the dominion of Satan and to be constantly at odds with the followers of Christ.  Jesus himself is believed to have offered only two choices to humanity: to accept him as the Son of God and to follow his teachings or to reject him and embrace the path of darkness. Those who choose the latter are said to be in rebellion against God and to be destined for eternal separation from him.

Matthew 13:39: “The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels.” Jesus defines three more elements of the parable in this verse:  The enemy who sowed the weeds, the harvest, and the reapers.

(1) Who is the enemy who sowed the weeds?  The enemy who sowed them is the devil.  The Son of Man, Jesus, devoted His life to spreading the gospel, which He did by sowing the good seed. This seed, which represents His teachings, was meant to be carried across the world and shared with all those in need of salvation.

However, the devil, who is always looking for opportunities to obstruct God’s work, is constantly trying to thwart Jesus' mission. The devil preys on the weak and vulnerable, always looking for the right set of circumstances to take advantage of someone and lead them away from God.

Despite the devil's efforts, Jesus' teachings continue to inspire millions of people around the world, giving them hope, guidance, and a sense of purpose in life. It is through Jesus' message of love, forgiveness, and compassion that people are able to find meaning in their lives and connect with God on a deeper level. 

What is the parable here when the enemy sows his seed alongside the seed Jesus has planted?  The devil, who is always looking for ways to sow seeds of evil and sin, plants his seeds among the ones that Jesus has planted. He does this under the cover of darkness when the watchmen, who are supposed to guard the field, are at their weakest and asleep. The devil knows that his seeds will grow alongside Jesus' seeds, and he hopes that they will intertwine and take root in the hearts of the people.

 The inferred parable. (Matthew 13:29) “But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them.”  Jesus allows the tares to grow alongside the wheat, so the plants are not uprooted, and they continue to grow until the harvest.  Assuming the rest of the story remains consistent, and Jesus explains the remaining parables of the harvest, the reapers, tares being burned, and the wheat into the barn.  However, Jesus did not explain this portion of the parable or the risks or benefits. 

What would be the parable of the tares growing alongside the wheat? Explain the risk and benefit.  Just like the children who grow up in the church, the children of the devil will grow and mature alongside the children of the kingdom. They will attend the same schools, live in the same neighborhoods, and work in the same offices. They will look like everyone else, but they will have a different agenda. They will try to influence the righteous and lead them astray, hoping to intertwine the roots of both plants.

The children of the kingdom and the wicked must remain together until the end when they shall be separated. The righteous will be saved, and the wicked will be burned up in the fire. It is important for the righteous to be vigilant and not be led astray by the devil's seeds. They must keep their faith strong and resist the temptations of the wicked. Only then can they be assured of their salvation and eternal life in the kingdom of God.

(2) What does the harvest represent? The harvest is at the end of the age.  The farmer in the parable waits until the harvest time to uproot the weeds and sort them out from the good crops. In the same way, at the end of the age, Christ will come to judge the living and the dead, and to separate those who genuinely believed in Him from those who did not. This judgment will be the ultimate reckoning, where the hypocritical generation of men will be utterly destroyed, and the righteous will enter into life, while the wicked will receive everlasting punishment. The judgment day will also be the day when the earth, and all that is therein, shall be burnt up, and the unrepentant sinners will receive the punishment they deserve. The parable of the harvest, therefore, serves as a reminder to live a life of faith and trust in Christ, who will come again to judge the living and the dead.

(3) Who are the reapers? The reapers are the angels.  In Matthew 13:28-29, Jesus is presented with a question by his servants that reveals a dilemma they are facing: should they gather up the weeds that have grown among the wheat? It's important to note that in ancient times, it was common for people to sow weeds in the fields of their enemies as a way of spoiling their crops. This meant that it was necessary to regularly check the fields and remove any weeds that had grown to prevent them from damaging the wheat.  Jesus responds to their question by cautioning his servants not to uproot the wheat along with the weeds while collecting them. This advice can be interpreted as a metaphorical lesson about not causing harm to innocent people while dealing with the guilty ones. Jesus is essentially saying that it's better to allow the weeds to grow alongside the wheat until the time of the harvest, at which point they can be separated without causing any damage to the wheat.  Later in the same chapter, Jesus explains that the reapers who will harvest the field are his angels. This is a reference to the final judgment when the righteous and the unrighteous will be separated, with the former being gathered into the Kingdom of God and the latter being condemned. This reinforces the idea that it's better to wait until the appropriate time to separate the good from the bad, rather than rushing to take action that could cause unintended harm.  It's worth noting that the term "servants" mentioned earlier could be interpreted as a reference to the disciples, who were tasked with spreading the Gospel and doing good works.  Jesus often used parables and metaphors to teach his followers about the nature of God and how they could live a righteous life. 

Why did Jesus choose his angels over the servants to harvest and separate the weeds and the wheat?  Jesus chose His angels to harvest and separate the weeds and the wheat because He knows that His servants, or disciples, are not as qualified to make such decisions. As human beings, we are not capable of discerning the true nature of an individual's eternal being, and we may make assumptions about someone's faith that are not accurate. We may think that we know someone's heart and soul, but we do not possess the full knowledge of God's plan for each individual, nor can we determine who will be refined in the fire.  Angels, on the other hand, are spiritual beings created by God, and they possess a higher level of knowledge and discernment than we do. They are more equipped to make such critical decisions because they are not bound by the limitations of human perception. Angels are able to see beyond what is visible to the human eye and can perceive the true nature of an individual's soul.  Therefore, when it comes to the harvest and separation of the righteous and the wicked, it is more appropriate for Jesus to entrust this task to His angels. They have a deeper understanding of God's plan and can make decisions based on an individual's eternal destiny. Ultimately, it is God who will judge the living and the dead, and His angels play an essential role in carrying out His divine will.

Matthew 13:40: “Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age.”  In Matthew 13:38, Jesus refers to the "tares" as the sons of the wicked one. According to the parable, the tares are gathered up from the wheat first. This means that the tares, that is, the evil individuals, are separated from the righteous individuals. The tares belong to Satan, also known as the sons of the wicked one. The analogy suggests that just as the tares are separated from the wheat, so will the wicked individuals be separated from the righteous ones at the end of the age. The tares will be gathered to be burned in the fire as a symbol of their punishment. This refers to the final judgment, where the wicked individuals will receive their punishment and the righteous individuals will receive their reward. Therefore, this parable emphasizes the importance of living a righteous life and avoiding evil.

Matthew 13:41: “Who does the Son of man send out to be gathered up first? The 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,” In Matthew 13:30, Jesus instructed the reapers to gather the tares. Similarly, He sends out His angels to gather the children of the devil who have sown evil in the world. These angels are tasked to gather all who offend and practice lawlessness. Jesus has chosen His angels to carry out the important task of the harvest. Angels are spiritual beings created by God who possess a higher level of knowledge and discernment than we do. They are more equipped to make critical decisions because human perception does not limit them. Angels can see beyond what is visible to the human eye and perceive the true nature of an individual's soul. Therefore, when it comes to the harvest and separation of the righteous and the wicked, it is more appropriate for Jesus to entrust this task to His angels. They have a deeper understanding of God's plan and can decide based on an individual's eternal destiny. Ultimately, God will judge the living and the dead, and His angels play an essential role in carrying out His divine will.

Matthew 13:42: “and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” This passage speaks about the fate of those who rejected God's invitation to join His kingdom. They will be thrown into a fiery furnace where they will weep and gnash their teeth. This language is often used by Jesus to describe the eternal judgment of those who do not repent of their sins.  The weeping and gnashing of teeth are a metaphorical expression that conveys the idea of great anguish, despair, and hopelessness. The lost wicked will be shut out from the light of heaven, peace, joy, and hope. They will be weeping in hopeless grief, gnashing their teeth in displeasure against God, and murmuring against justice.  This metaphor is based on the image of a prisoner who is locked up in a dark and lonely cell, spending their days and nights weeping and vainly gnashing their teeth in resentment. It signifies agony and desolation.

Matthew 13:43: “Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” What happens to righteous people?  Jesus explains that they will shine in the kingdom of their Father like the sun.

What is the parable of the wheat being put into the barn?  This means that not only will they be allowed to enter the kingdom of heaven, but they will also shine brightly as children of God the Father. The idea of shining like the sun is a metaphor for being fully realized and glorified in the presence of God. The New Testament is very clear that the only way to enter this kingdom is through faith in God's Son, Jesus. His death on the cross pays the price for the sins of those who trust in Him, and they are given credit for His righteous life and entrusted with good works to carry out. This is called imputed righteousness and it means that believers are credited with the righteousness of Christ.  At the end of the explanation, Jesus warns everyone to pay close attention to what He has said and to apply it in their lives. The phrase "he who has ears, let him hear" was used during this time to get people to pay attention to important teachings. Jesus emphasizes that it is not enough to simply hear the message, but it must be understood and applied in one's life. The fate of those who reject the message is described as being thrown into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. This is a metaphor for eternal separation from God and the suffering that results from that separation.  In conclusion, the parable emphasizes the importance of faith in Jesus Christ and the rewards that come with that faith. Those who trust in Jesus are declared righteous and enter into the kingdom of God where they will shine like the sun. However, those who reject Jesus will suffer the consequences of their rejection.