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The '''Parable of the Weeds''' (also called '''Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds''' or '''Tares''') is a [[parable]] of [[Jesus]] which occurs only one time, in Matthew 13:24-30 and 36-43.

The '''Parable of the Weeds''' (also called '''Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds''' or '''Tares''') is a [[parable]] of [[Jesus]] which occurs only one time, in the [[Gospel of Matthew]].  It is recorded in two parts: {{bibleverse||Matthew|13:24-30|9}} tells of the parable while {{bibleverse||Matthew|13:36-40|9}} provides the explanation.

The parable consists of two parts.  In the first part (verses 24-30) Jesus tells of a sower who sowed wheat in his field; his enemy came afterwards and sowed weeds (or tares in some older translations).  <ref>The Greek word used for weeds may refer to '''darnel''', a type of ryegrass common to Israel (and actually found worldwide) which in its early stages appears to resemble wheat.</ref>The sower's reapers asked if he wanted them to remove the weeds; the sower replied no out of concern that the wheat may also be destroyed.  Instead, he instructed his reapers to allow both wheat and weeds to grow together, then at the harvest both would be harvested, and then separated (the weeds for burning, the wheat for storage).

Jesus tells of a sower who sowed wheat in his field; his enemy came afterwards and sowed weeds (or tares in some older translations).  <ref>The Greek word used for weeds may refer to '''darnel''', a type of ryegrass common to Israel (and actually found worldwide) which in its early stages appears to resemble wheat.</ref>The sower's reapers asked if he wanted them to remove the weeds; the sower replied no out of concern that the wheat may also be destroyed.  Instead, he instructed his reapers to allow both wheat and weeds to grow together, then at the harvest both would be harvested, and then separated (the weeds for burning, the wheat for storage).

The second part (verses 36-43) is Jesus' interpretation: the sower is the Son of Man (Jesus Himself) while the enemy is Satan.  The field represents the world, the wheat is those who are "children of the Kingdom" (i.e. those who have trusted in Christ as Savior) while the weeds are the "children of the evil one" (i.e. those who have rejected Christ).  The harvest is the end of the age and the reapers are the angels.  Those who have trusted in Christ (the wheat) will be taken to Heaven, while those who reject Him will be burned in Hell.

Jesus then (after other verses not part of the parable) provides the interpretation: the sower is the Son of Man (Jesus Himself) while the enemy is Satan.  The field represents the world, the wheat is those who are "children of the Kingdom" (i.e. those who have trusted in Christ as Savior) while the weeds are the "children of the evil one" (i.e. those who have rejected Christ).  The harvest is the end of the age and the reapers are the angels.  Those who have trusted in Christ (the wheat) will be taken to Heaven, while those who reject Him will be burned in Hell.

This parable has been misused on both sides:

This parable has been misused on both sides: