Mat 13:24-30 | PNT | STEP | The kingdom of heaven is likened . The object of all parables in this connection is to explain various features and principles of the kingdom of heaven. Unto a man which sowed . It is important to note what the kingdom of heaven is likened to. It is not to the "field" in which the tares and wheat were both sown, nor to the "enemy" who sowed the tares, but to "the man who sowed the good seed". The kingdom does what the Sower is represented as doing. It sows the good seed. Good seed . It is declared in that the seed is the "word of the kingdom", and in that the "good seed" are "the children of the kingdom". These are those in whose heart the good seed has fallen, and their new lives, as children of the kingdom, are the fruit of the good seed. In his field . The controversy has turned upon what the Savior represents by the field. (1) It is not the kingdom, or church, for this is represented by "the man that sowed good seed in his field". (2) It is the place where the good seed is sown by the Son of man, or through his agency; in other words, the place where the gospel is preached to men. (3) states emphatically that "the field is the world".

‏ Matthew 13:24-30

The kingdom of heaven is likened. The object of all parables in this connection is to explain various features and principles of the kingdom of heaven.

Unto a man which sowed. It is important to note what the kingdom of heaven is likened to. It is not to the "field" in which the tares and wheat were both sown, nor to the "enemy" who sowed the tares, but to "the man who sowed the good seed". The kingdom does what the Sower is represented as doing. It sows the good seed.

Good seed. It is declared in Mt 13:19 that the seed is the "word of the kingdom", and in Mt 13:38 that the "good seed" are "the children of the kingdom". These are those in whose heart the good seed has fallen, and their new lives, as children of the kingdom, are the fruit of the good seed.

In his field. The controversy has turned upon what the Savior represents by the field. (1) It is not the kingdom, or church, for this is represented by "the man that sowed good seed in his field". (2) It is the place where the good seed is sown by the Son of man, or through his agency; in other words, the place where the gospel is preached to men. (3) Mt 13:38 states emphatically that "the field is the world". But while men slept. During sleep is the time of the tare-sowing.

His enemy came and sowed. It is by no means uncommon for the malice in the East to show itself in this way. A wicked person may do great injury with little chance of detection.

Tares. The tare or darnel is, like our chess or cheat, a kind of bastard wheat, looking like wheat. From whence then hath it tares? When the harvest was near at hand the difference was seen. An enemy hath done this. The great enemy, the prince of the world, who sows evil seed in human hearts.

Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? It has been assumed by one class of interpreters that this a question whether discipline shall be administered upon recreant church members. If the field in which the tares are growing with the wheat is "the world", then it refers to something quite different. Nay; lest . . . ye root up also the wheat with them. The roots of the wheat and tares were often so intertwined that one could not be pulled up without the other. Let both grow together until the harvest. The time of separation will come at last. The righteous shall not always be vexed by the presence and deeds of evil doers. Harvest time will come, and that is the time of separation. The tares, ripened and manifest, can easily be sifted out from the wheat. For the application of the parable see note at "Mt 13:36".