Matthew 13 – Parables of the Kingdom This is a section of scripture ...

Matt. 13:36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and
his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of
the field.
Matt. 13:37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is
the Son of man;
Matt. 13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the
kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
Matt. 13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of
the world; and the reapers are the angels.
Matt. 13:40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it
be in the end of this world.
Matt. 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather
out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
Matt. 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing
and gnashing of teeth.
Matt. 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of
their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Again, the disciples ask for an explanation of the parable after the multitude has
gone, and Jesus complies. He identifies the following keys to understanding
• Jesus, the Son of man = the sower
• His field = the world
• Good seed = children of the kingdom, those who produce fruit
• Tares = children of the wicked one
• The enemy = the devil
• The harvest = the end of the world
• The reapers = the angels
Every translation I checked makes a distinction between “man” (singular) in
verse 24 and “men” (plural) in verse 25. I think this is significant in that we
know that the Lord never sleeps.
Psa. 121:2-3 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and
earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will
not slumber.
The Lord is completely aware of what is happening. He is not caught off guard.
He already has a plan in place for dealing with the tares. He doesn’t have to
wonder how the tares got there. He is able to declare that they were planted by
an enemy.
It is also important to note that the field, the world, belongs to the Lord even
though Satan is allowed to operate as the “prince/god of this world” for the time
being.
John 14:30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this
world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
John 16:7-11 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I
go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if
I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove
the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because
they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and