Matthew 13:26

KJV

But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} when {G3753} the blade {G5528} was sprung up {G985}, and {G2532} brought forth {G4160} fruit {G2590}, then {G5119} appeared {G5316} the tares {G2215} also {G2532}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When the wheat sprouted and formed heads of grain, the weeds also appeared.

Berean Standard Bible

When the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the weeds also appeared.

American Standard Version

But when the blade sprang up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 13:26, part of Jesus's Parable of the Tares (or Weeds), describes the critical moment when the true nature of the plants becomes evident. After the good seed (wheat) has sprouted and begun to bear fruit, the noxious weeds (tares), which previously resembled the wheat, also become distinguishable. This verse highlights the subtle and deceptive nature of evil coexisting with good within the world, particularly within the visible community of faith, and underscores that the definitive separation of the righteous from the wicked is a process revealed over time, culminating in a future judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader discourse of parables in [Matthew 13](/matthew/13 "Matthew 13 - Parables of the Kingdom"), specifically following the [Parable of the Sower](/matthew/13-1-23 "Matthew 13:1-23 - The Parable of the Sower"). Jesus uses these parables to reveal the mysteries of the [Kingdom of Heaven](/matthew/13-11 "Matthew 13:11 - Mysteries of the Kingdom"). The Parable of the Tares (or Weeds), beginning in [Matthew 13:24](/matthew/13-24 "Matthew 13:24 - The Parable of the Tares"), directly addresses the perplexing reality of evil's presence alongside good within the world, and by extension, within the visible church. It serves as a crucial explanation for why God permits both "wheat" (children of the kingdom) and "tares" (children of the evil one) to grow together until the final harvest, which Jesus later interprets in [Matthew 13:36-43](/matthew/13-36-43 "Matthew 13:36-43 - Jesus Explains the Parable of the Tares").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The agricultural practice described in this parable was common in ancient Galilee. Farmers would sow wheat in their fields, and a malicious enemy could easily sow "tares" (Greek: _zizánion_, often identified as darnel, _Lolium temulentum_) among the wheat. Darnel, a poisonous weed, looks almost identical to wheat in its early stages of growth, making it virtually impossible to distinguish and remove without uprooting the valuable wheat seedlings. Only when the plants matured and began to bear fruit did their distinct characteristics become apparent—wheat with its heavy, golden grains, and darnel with its lighter, darker, and often purplish seed heads. This made immediate removal impractical and harmful, necessitating a delay until harvest when separation was feasible. This cultural reality provides a powerful backdrop for understanding the divine patience and the timing of judgment depicted in the parable.

* **Key Themes:** The Parable of the Tares, and specifically [Matthew 13:26](/matthew/13-26 "Matthew 13:26 - The Tares Appear"), contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel and biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the **coexistence of good and evil** within the world and the visible community of faith, challenging any premature expectation of a perfectly pure kingdom on earth before the eschatological judgment. Secondly, it underscores **divine patience and the timing of judgment**, revealing God's long-suffering in allowing both the righteous and the wicked to grow together, providing opportunity for repentance and for believers to mature. The "appearance" of the tares "when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit" points to the theme of **discernment through fruit**, echoing Jesus's teaching in [Matthew 7:16-20](/matthew/7-16-20 "Matthew 7:16-20 - You Will Recognize Them by Their Fruits"), where true character and spiritual allegiance are ultimately revealed by one's actions and life outcomes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **blade (Greek, _chórtos'_):** This term refers to herbage or vegetation, specifically the young shoot or stalk of grain before it matures. Its use here emphasizes the early, indistinguishable stage of growth for both wheat and tares, where their similarities mask their fundamental differences.
* **sprung up (Greek, _blastánō'_):** Meaning "to germinate" or "to yield fruit," this verb denotes the process of growth and development from seed to plant. It signifies the natural progression of the crop, indicating a period of time has passed since planting, allowing for the initial emergence and establishment of the plants.
* **fruit (Greek, _karpós'_):** This word refers to the produce of the earth, literally or figuratively. In this context, it signifies the mature produce of the wheat, the grain itself. The appearance of "fruit" is the critical turning point in the parable, as it is at this stage that the wheat and the tares become clearly distinguishable, revealing their true nature and purpose.
* **tares (Greek, _zizánion'_):** This specific term refers to darnel, a weed that closely resembles wheat in its early growth stages but is noxious and harmful. Its presence highlights the deceptive nature of false believers or evil influences that blend seamlessly with genuine faith until their true character is revealed by their "fruit."
* **appeared (Greek, _phaínō'_):** Meaning "to lighten (shine)" or "to show," this verb indicates that the tares became visible or manifest. This signifies a revelation or disclosure; what was hidden or indistinguishable now becomes evident, marking the moment of clear discernment between the wheat and the tares.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But when the blade was sprung up,"**: This opening clause establishes the passage of time and the initial stage of growth. It indicates that the seeds, both good and bad, have germinated and developed into young plants, still in a phase where their identities are not yet distinct to the casual observer. The "blade" refers to the early shoot of grain, emphasizing the commonality in appearance between wheat and darnel at this stage.
* **"and brought forth fruit,"**: This phrase marks the critical turning point in the growth cycle. It signifies that the plants have matured beyond their initial vegetative stage and have begun to produce their characteristic yield. For the wheat, this is the valuable grain; for the darnel, it is its own distinct, undesirable seed. The production of "fruit" is the moment of revelation, making the true nature of each plant evident.
* **"then appeared the tares also."**: This final clause describes the consequence of the plants' maturation. It is only at the stage of fruit-bearing that the "tares" (darnel) become clearly distinguishable from the wheat. What was previously hidden or indistinguishable now becomes manifest. This implies that discernment of true and false followers often requires patience and observation of their long-term character and actions, rather than immediate judgment based on initial appearances.

#### Literary Devices
The Parable of the Tares, and specifically [Matthew 13:26](/matthew/13-26 "Matthew 13:26 - The Tares Appear"), is rich in **Symbolism**. The "blade," "fruit," and "tares" are all symbolic representations. The "blade" symbolizes the initial, often indistinguishable, stage of spiritual growth or profession of faith. The "fruit" symbolizes the mature character, actions, and spiritual outcomes that ultimately reveal one's true nature or allegiance, echoing the principle "by their fruits you will know them." The "tares" symbolize false believers, children of the evil one, or evil influences that deceptively blend into the community of faith. There is also an element of **Irony** in that the very growth and maturation of the good crop (wheat) is what simultaneously reveals the presence of the harmful weeds, highlighting how the progress of the kingdom can also expose its counterfeits. The entire parable operates as an **Allegory**, where each element systematically corresponds to a spiritual reality, as explicitly explained by Jesus in [Matthew 13:36-43](/matthew/13-36-43 "Matthew 13:36-43 - Jesus Explains the Parable of the Tares").

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 13:26 profoundly contributes to our understanding of God's sovereign plan for the ages, particularly concerning the coexistence of good and evil within the world and the visible church. It teaches divine patience, indicating that God allows both the righteous and the wicked to mature side-by-side, deferring final judgment to an appointed time. This patience is not indifference but a purposeful delay, allowing for the full development of both wheat and tares, and providing opportunities for repentance and for the true nature of each to be fully revealed. The verse underscores that discernment often requires time, as true spiritual fruit becomes evident only through sustained growth and action, distinguishing genuine faith from mere outward profession.

* [Matthew 13:30](/matthew/13-30 "Matthew 13:30 - The Harvest and Separation")
* [Matthew 7:20](/matthew/7-20 "Matthew 7:20 - By Their Fruits You Will Know Them")
* [2 Peter 3:9](/2_peter/3-9 "2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord's Patience")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 13:26 offers profound practical insights for believers navigating a complex world. It teaches us not to be surprised or disheartened by the pervasive presence of evil, hypocrisy, or false professions of faith, even within the visible church. This parable assures us that such coexistence is part of God's sovereign plan until the appointed time of harvest. Instead of focusing on prematurely "rooting out" what we perceive as tares, which could inadvertently harm genuine believers, our primary focus should be on nurturing our own spiritual growth and ensuring we are indeed bearing good fruit. This calls for introspection and diligence in our personal walk with God, rather than an obsessive preoccupation with judging others. Ultimately, the verse encourages us to trust in God's perfect timing and His ultimate, righteous judgment, knowing that He will perfectly separate the wheat from the tares in His own way and time. This trust liberates us from the burden of premature judgment and allows us to focus on our calling to bear witness and live out the kingdom values.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the reality of "tares" coexisting with "wheat" challenge or confirm your understanding of the church and the world?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to "root out" the tares prematurely, and what potential harm could this cause?**
* **What kind of "fruit" does your life currently bear, and how does it reflect your true spiritual identity?**
* **How does trusting in God's ultimate judgment free you to live more patiently and lovingly towards others, even those who may be "tares"?**

### FAQ
**What are "tares" in the biblical context of this parable?**

Answer: In the context of Matthew 13:26, "tares" (Greek: _zizánion_) refers specifically to darnel (_Lolium temulentum_), a common weed in ancient Israel that is remarkably similar in appearance to wheat during its early stages of growth. It was often called "false wheat" because it was virtually indistinguishable from wheat until both plants matured and began to bear fruit. Darnel is also a noxious weed; if its seeds are consumed, they can cause dizziness, nausea, and other ill effects. This botanical detail is crucial to the parable's meaning, highlighting the deceptive nature of the "tares" and the difficulty of separating them from the "wheat" without causing damage to the good crop, especially before the harvest. Jesus later explains in [Matthew 13:38](/matthew/13-38 "Matthew 13:38 - The Tares are the Sons of the Evil One") that the "tares are the sons of the evil one."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 13:26, by revealing the subtle appearance of the tares alongside the wheat, points profoundly to the multifaceted work of Christ. Jesus, as the "sower of the good seed" ([Matthew 13:37](/matthew/13-37 "Matthew 13:37 - The Son of Man is the Sower")), patiently allows both the children of the kingdom and the children of the evil one to grow together in the world. This divine patience is a reflection of His own long-suffering love, willing that "none should perish, but that all should reach repentance" ([2 Peter 3:9](/2_peter/3-9 "2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord's Patience")). However, the "appearance" of the tares at the time of fruit-bearing foreshadows Christ's ultimate role as the righteous Judge. Just as the true nature of the plants is revealed by their fruit, so too will Christ, at the "end of the age" ([Matthew 13:39](/matthew/13-39 "Matthew 13:39 - The Harvest is the End of the Age")), perfectly discern and separate the righteous from the wicked. He will send His angels to "gather out of His kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers" ([Matthew 13:41](/matthew/13-41 "Matthew 13:41 - The Son of Man Will Send His Angels")), while the righteous will "shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father" ([Matthew 13:43](/matthew/13-43 "Matthew 13:43 - The Righteous Will Shine")). Thus, this verse implicitly highlights Christ's present grace in sustaining all life, His future justice in executing perfect judgment, and His ongoing work in sanctifying His true followers to bear genuine fruit, ensuring their ultimate salvation and glorification in His eternal kingdom.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 4:26

And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;

Mark 4:29

But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.