In another parable, Jesus likened a feature of the “kingdom of the heavens” to a “man who sowed good seed in his field,” which an enemy later oversowed with seeds from weeds. During the night, while people were asleep, this enemy sowed among the wheat and then left. When the wheat sprouted and the ears developed, the weeds also appeared. This puzzled the servants of the owner of the field. “Master,” they asked, “did you not sow good seed in your field? From where, then, did the weeds come?” He explained that an enemy had oversown the field. Concerned, the servants asked him whether they should get rid of the weeds. He, however, did not grant them permission to do so, telling them that, when pulling up the weeds, they could also uproot the wheat. Both weeds and wheat should be allowed to grow together until the time of the harvest. At that time, the reapers would first collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned, whereas the wheat would be harvested and stored. (Matthew 13:24-30)

Later, after he had dismissed the crowd, Jesus returned to the house (likely Peter and Andrew’s home in Capernaum) with his disciples. They then approached him with the request that he tell them the meaning of the parable about the weeds in the field. (Matthew 13:36)

He explained the “sower of the good seed” to be the “Son of Man.” (Matthew 13:37) By proclaiming the glad tidings of the kingdom, the message revealing how individuals could become part of God’s royal realm, Jesus had gathered disciples, individuals who sincerely desired his Father as their Sovereign and wanted to do his will.

The “field is the world,” the world of mankind in which, on account of Jesus’ activity (“sowing”), the “good seed,” “sons of the kingdom,” those belonging to God’s royal realm, or genuine believers could be found. Seizing the opportunity to introduce a ruinous element, the enemy or the devil did his nefarious sowing while people were sleeping (doing so secretly, as under the cover of darkness). So, in the world, the “sons of the kingdom” (good seed or wheat) and the “sons of the wicked one” (weeds) who belonged to the devil’s realm came to be intertwined and, initially, could not even be distinguished. (Matthew 13:38, 39)

“The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.” This present age is destined to culminate in the execution of divine judgment. At that time, there will be a development comparable to pulling up weeds and burning them. Jesus himself, the “Son of Man,” will send forth his angels to collect out of his kingdom all those causing offense and practicing lawlessness and then toss them, like bundled weeds, into a fiery furnace. The condemnatory judgment the fiery furnace represents would occasion weeping and gnashing of teeth. This “weeping” would be on account of the pain of loss. In a vain effort to stifle tears of bitter grief, the condemned would gnash or clench their teeth. (Matthew 13:39-42)

For the upright ones, the outcome at the “end of the age” would be very different. They would “shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” Theirs would be the splendor of those whom God approves, sharing in all the benefits and blessings to be enjoyed by those in his realm. Again, stressing the need for attentive listening and appropriate action, Jesus added, “Let the one having ears listen.” (Matthew 13:43)

This parable reveals that no humanly devised standard (such as a list of doctrines) can be used to differentiate “weeds” from “wheat.” Humans have not been authorized to root out those whom they perceive to be weeds based on their particular view of “doctrinal purity.” As history has repeatedly demonstrated, human efforts to eliminate “weeds” have brought about untold suffering, with the self-appointed weed pullers repeatedly making themselves guilty of heinous crimes against humanity. The sectarian spirit prevalent in many movements continues to cause harm, as individuals imagine themselves to be serving Christ’s interests while abusing those who may not accept their unique doctrines. With the angels acting under the direction of God’s Son, no mistakes will be made, but the judgment will be just in every respect.

Note:

The Greek word translated “weed” (zizánion) is thought to refer to “bearded darnel,” which looks much like wheat until the ear appears. The alleged poisonous properties of darnel are commonly attributed to a fungus. When eaten inadvertently, darnel has reportedly caused dizziness and diarrhea.