Matthew 13:36-43
Chapter 13
36
Explanation of the Parable of the Weeds
Then he sent the crowds away and went into the house. His disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”37
Jesus answered them, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.
38
The field represents the world; the good seed is the people of the kingdom; the weeds are those who follow the evil one.
39
The enemy who sows the weeds is the devil; the harvest is at the end of time, and the workers are the angels.
40
Just as weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of time.
41
The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his kingdom all that is scandalous and everyone who does evil.
42
And these will be thrown into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
43
Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. If you have ears, then hear.
Commentaries
Explanation of the Parable of the Weeds.
Jesus encourages his disciples to practice tolerance, since it is an ongoing risk to see oneself as “chosen” or “good grass” compared to others, who can easily be labeled as “weeds.” The emphasis is on the final judgment, when, at the end of time, the ultimate judge will separate the “citizens of the kingdom” from the weeds or “subjects of the Evil One” (38).