A Study of Matthew - Wheat and Tares

by Stan Feldsine (www.tojesusbeallglory.com)

Matthew 13:24-30 - The Parable of the Wheat and Tares

Matthew 13:36-43 - The Parable of the Wheat and Tares Explained

This parable makes three points that describe what life is like during the mystery program.

The first is that the sowing of false seeds will be taking place during the timeframe of the mystery program. If the "seed" is the Word of God, then the false "seed" is false teachings of all sorts. Only God's Word is true, and contradictions with God's Word are false whether their source is theological or secular.

The second point is that during this age, God will allow both true and false teaching to develop alongside each other. We are not to weed out the false teachings and teachers during this time, we are to allow them to grow together. 

The character of the time period of the mystery program is not just the righteousness of the church, but includes the the presence of evil and false teaching.

The third point is that the judgment at the end of this age will separate the two. The Judgment in view here is the Sheep and Goat judgment described in Mat 25:31-46. The Sheep and Goat judgment and the Wheat and Tares Judgment are the same judgment, which takes place at the second coming of Jesus at the conclusion of the Tribulation and before the Messianic Kingdom is established (Mat 25:31-34, Mat 25:41).

This parable raises the point that as the "good sower" is the "Son of Man", then the evil sower is "Satan". Accordingly, since false teaching is being sown in this age by Satan, we should always be on the lookout for false teachings in the world today.

The Parable of the Net also shines a light on this topic.

Matthew 13:47-50 - The Parable of the Net

The parable of the Net conveys the same truth as that the parable of the Wheat and Tares and the prophecy of the Sheep and Goat judgment. The mystery program will end with a judgment that determines who remains to enter the Messianic Kingdom and who is removed and sent to Sheol to await the final Great White Throne judgment.

Matthew - Additional Context for Wheat and Tares Parable

Matthew 7:21-23 - Another passage that illustrates this time of judgment is Mat 7:21-23.

Matthew 24:36-42 - Another passage is in Matt 24 which describes what some think is the Rapture, but the context is clearly the Sheep and Goat judgment. The reference is to the judgment in Noah's day where the wicked were removed and the righteous remained (Mat 24:36-42).