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The Parable
of the Tares
Text:
Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43
Introduction
Jesus, the master teacher, often used parables to reveal truths
about the kingdom of heaven. On the shore of Galilee, He told the
parable of the tares, describing how an enemy sowed weeds among the
wheat. The weeds looked almost identical to the wheat until harvest.
In this simple but powerful story, Jesus warns us of Satan’s work,
the presence of evil, and the coming judgment. He ends with the
challenge:
“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
The Good Seed
and the Bad Seed
Jesus explained the parable so there would be no confusion (Matthew
13:37–39). The sower of good seed is the Son of Man—Jesus Himself.
The good seed are the children of the kingdom, produced when the
gospel is received with good soil. But the tares are the children of
the wicked one, sown by the devil. Satan uses deception, false
doctrine, and every false system of religion to sow bad seed. He
wants as many as possible to be lost. Jesus warned in Luke 8:12 that
the devil takes the Word out of people’s hearts so they won’t
believe and be saved. Paul warned the Galatians that even if an
angel preached another gospel, he should be accursed (Galatians
1:8). Bad seed always produces spiritual death.
The Field
is the World
Jesus said plainly that the field is the world (Matthew 13:38). This
parable is not about church discipline but about God’s work in the
whole world. Christ has all authority in heaven and on earth
(Matthew 28:18), and every person is accountable to Him. Evil exists
in the same world where the righteous live, but it is not our place
to uproot what we think are tares by violence or force. Jesus warned
against it, because we may harm the wheat in the process (Matthew
13:29). The final judgment belongs to Christ alone. Our role is to
influence by truth, prayer, teaching, example, and perseverance—not
by coercion.
The
Deception of Tares
Tares looked almost identical to wheat until harvest. This is a
sober warning. False teachers often look righteous. Paul described
them as false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves
into apostles of Christ, just as Satan transforms into an angel of
light (2 Corinthians 11:13–15). Outward success or popularity does
not prove truth. Some tares flourish and look healthy, but they
remain weeds. Some churches and movements may seem vibrant but are
rooted in error. The only way to tell the difference is by God’s
Word.
The Coming
Harvest
Jesus said the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are
the angels (Matthew 13:39). At that time the tares will be gathered
for burning, symbolizing eternal punishment—wailing and gnashing of
teeth (Matthew 13:42). The righteous will shine forth in the
Father’s kingdom (Matthew 13:43). There will only be two groups:
wheat or tares, sheep or goats, saved or lost. God’s holiness
demands separation, and His justice will be perfect.
Call to
Action
The parable challenges us to examine what kind of seed we are
sowing, and what kind of plant we are becoming. Are we wheat,
nourished by the gospel, or tares, shaped by deception? We must sow
the seed of the kingdom daily—teaching, praying, influencing, and
sharing the Word. Harvest day is certain, and we want to be gathered
into the Lord’s barn, not bound for fire.
Key
Takeaways
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The Son of
Man sows good seed through His Word, producing children of the
kingdom (Matthew 13:37–38).
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Satan sows
tares—false teaching and deception—to produce children of the
wicked one (Luke 8:12).
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The field is
the world, and all people are accountable to Christ (Matthew
28:18).
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Tares
resemble wheat; false religion often looks righteous (2
Corinthians 11:13–15).
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The harvest
is the end of the age; angels will separate wheat from tares
(Matthew 13:39–43).
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The
righteous will shine in the Father’s kingdom; the wicked will
face eternal punishment.
Scripture
Reference List
Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43 – Parable of the tares explained
Luke 8:12 – Satan takes away the Word to prevent belief
Matthew 28:18 – Christ has all authority
Galatians 1:8 – Warning against false gospels
2 Corinthians 11:13–15 – False apostles disguise themselves as
righteous
Matthew 25:31–33 – The sheep and goats separated at judgment
John 12:48 – Christ’s word will judge on the last day
The Parable
of the Tares Sermon Outline
Introduction
I. The Good Seed
and the Bad Seed (Matthew 13:37–39)
A. The sower of good seed: the Son of Man.
B. The good seed: children of the kingdom.
1. Produced when the Word falls on good soil.
2. Our responsibility to continue sowing (Matthew 28:19–20).
C. The bad seed: children of the wicked one.
1. Sown by the devil.
2. False teaching and deception (Luke 8:12).
3. False gospels bring condemnation (Galatians 1:8).
II. The Field is
the World (Matthew 13:38)
A. The parable is not about church discipline.
B. Christ has authority over all the earth (Matthew 28:18).
C. Every person is accountable to God.
D. Our task is not to uproot by violence.
1. Uprooting risks harming the wheat (Matthew 13:29).
2. Christ alone will judge perfectly.
E. Influence through:
1. Teaching the Word.
2. Prayer.
3. Godly example.
4. Perseverance in righteousness.
III. The
Deception of Tares
A. Tares look like wheat until harvest.
B. False religion often appears righteous.
C. Satan disguises himself (2 Corinthians 11:13–15).
D. Outward success does not prove truth.
E. Only God’s Word reveals the difference.
IV. The Coming
Harvest (Matthew 13:39–43)
A. The harvest is the end of the age.
B. The reapers are the angels.
C. The tares burned—eternal punishment.
1. Wailing and gnashing of teeth.
D. The wheat gathered—eternal reward.
1. Shining in the Father’s kingdom.
E. Only two groups: wheat or tares.
Conclusion /
Call to Action
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What kind of
seed are you sowing?
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Will you be
wheat or tare at the harvest?
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Sow the seed
of the kingdom faithfully.
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Judgment is
certain—be ready to shine in the Father’s kingdom.
Prepared by
Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO
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The
church of Christ
