Matthew 13:24-30 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Field and the Harvest

Matthew 13:24-30 – Parable of the Field and the Harvest

MT13:24 Another parable Jesus put before them, saying, “The Realm of Heaven[1] may be compared to[2] a man sowing good seed in his field. MT13:25 But, while men were sleeping his enemy arrived and over-seeded zizania[3] among the wheat and then left. MT13:26 Now when the [wheat] sprouted and produced fruitage there also appeared the zizania. MT13:27 So, the slaves approached the landlord[4] and asked him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field?’ MT13:28 The landlord answered them, ‘An enemy did this.’ The slaves asked, ‘Do you want us to go and cull-out[5] the zizania?’ MT13:29 But, the landlord told them, ‘No, for by accident while culling the zizania you uproot the wheat also.[6] MT13:30 Go and let both of them grow together until the harvest. Then in the harvest season I will tell the harvesters,[7] “Gather first the zizania and bind them into bundles to be burned. But, the wheat gather into my storehouse.”’”[8]

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[1] Realm of Heaven: Not the seat of government, but the realm or domain over which the King reigns: the realm of profession – the Church. See notes on Matthew 10:9 and Matthew 13:11. Research the word group kingdom.

[2] May be compared to: Or, KJV: is likened unto. Jesus is to use several parables to illustrate truths or mysteries about the Congregation (or, Church) he is to build (Matthew 16:18). Compare Ephesians 1:19-22 and Colossians 1:13. The Nazarene is to explain this parable a bit later. So see details in Matthew 13:36-43.

[3] Zizania: Generally this plant (Lolium temulentum) is called either tares or the “bearded darnel.” (KJV) Or, MOF: weeds. When young it resembles wheat but with maturity it turns black and stands up straight, while wheat is golden and bows its head (See Bible dictionaries). William Barclay observes: “The tares and the wheat are so like each other that the Jews called the tares bastard wheat. The Hebrew for tares is zunim, whence comes the Greek ZIZANION; zunim is said to be connected with the word zanah, which means to commit fornication.”

[4] Landlord: Or, KJV: householder; TCNT: owner’s; WEY: farmer’s. The Greek is OIKO(=house)DESPOTOU(=lord).

[5] Cull-out: Or, KJV: gather them up; UBSInt: collect.

[6] For by accident while culling the zizania you uproot the wheat also: KJV: lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

[7] Harvesters: Or, KJV: reapers.

[8] Storehouse: Or, KJV: barn; MOF: granary.

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Preceding

Matthew 13 – Parables on Kingdom mysteries

Matthew 13:1-9 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable: the Soil and the Seed

Matthew 13:10-15 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Why Speak in Parables?

Matthew 13:16-17 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Happy Eyes and Ears

Matthew 13:18-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Seed and Soil

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Additional reading

1. Careful what you sow, it might grow
2. Sow and harvests in the garden of your heart
3. Being fit to take care of a garden
4. Seeds and weeds for being the greatest nation
5. Seeds, weeds and kingdoms
6. Seeds from the world creating division and separation from God

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Related

1. A Reflection for Friday 22 December 2017
2. Judging: Above Our Paygrade
3. Wheat and Weeds
4. There is life in the Wheat and Weeds
5. What Did You Do 7-23-17
6. Wheat and Weeds: The Strange Patience of Christians
7. Weeds, Wheat, Specks, Planks and Cult Thinking.
8. Wheat and Weeds
9. Being a Weed in a World Full of Roundup
10. 7th Sunday after Pentecost: 23 July – Matthew 13: 24-43 ~ God will sort it all out