Matthew 13:37-43 - The Good Seed and the Children of the Wicked One
“The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;” — Matthew 13:38 KJV Bible Gateway
In the parable of the wheat and the tares, Jesus does something especially helpful: He explains the symbols Himself. The sower is the Son of man, the field is the world, the good seed represents the children of the kingdom, the tares represent the children of the wicked one, and the enemy who sowed the tares is the devil. The harvest represents the end, when final separation and judgment occur. Bible Gateway
“The Good Seed Are the Children of the Kingdom”
The good seed represents people who belong to God's kingdom. Jesus is showing that the kingdom is not merely an abstract concept; the King has a people who belong to Him and live under His rule.
Like good seed planted in a field, God's people are placed in the world to bear fruit consistent with the kingdom from which they receive their identity.
The important distinction is that in this particular parable, the seed represents people. This differs from the earlier parable of the sower in Matthew 13, where the seed represents the Word. We should allow Jesus' explanation of each parable to determine the meaning of its symbols.
“The Tares Are the Children of the Wicked One”
Jesus then identifies the tares with “the children of the wicked one.”
Tares were weeds growing among the wheat. During their early growth, they could be difficult to distinguish from the genuine crop. This makes the imagery especially powerful: what grows alongside the kingdom is not necessarily of the kingdom.
The enemy's strategy is also significant. He does not destroy the field; he plants something counterfeit among what the Son of man has planted.
Jesus identifies that enemy plainly:
“The enemy that sowed them is the devil…” — Matthew 13:39 KJV Bible Gateway
Why Doesn't God Remove the Tares Immediately?
In the original parable, the servants ask whether they should gather up the tares. The master tells them to allow both to grow until harvest, lest they uproot wheat while gathering the tares. The final separation belongs to the appointed harvest. Bible Gateway
This teaches an important lesson about judgment.
Human beings do not possess God's perfect knowledge of every heart. We may observe fruit and exercise biblical discernment, but final judgment belongs to Christ.
The existence of evil alongside righteousness does not mean God cannot see the difference.
He knows His own.
“The Harvest Is the End”
Jesus explains:
“the harvest is the end of the world…” — Matthew 13:39 KJV
The parable therefore has an eschatological dimension. History is moving toward an appointed conclusion. Evil and righteousness will not remain mixed forever.
Jesus says the Son of man will send His angels and that a separation will occur. The righteous will then:
“shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” — Matthew 13:43 KJV Bible Gateway
The kingdom that may presently appear surrounded by opposition will ultimately be openly manifested under God's righteous rule.
Personal Application
This parable calls us first to examine ourselves, rather than becoming preoccupied with deciding who around us might be wheat or tares.
The important question is:
Am I truly a child of the kingdom?
Kingdom identity should eventually produce kingdom fruit—faith, obedience, righteousness, love, holiness, and submission to Christ.
The parable also encourages believers who become discouraged when they see wickedness flourishing. God has not lost control of His field. The harvest has an appointed time.
Until then, our responsibility is not to become consumed with identifying every tare. Our responsibility is to remain faithful to Christ, bear good fruit, proclaim His Word, and live as children of His kingdom.