Matthew 13:26

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

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}.

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

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

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

Matthew 13:26 KJV Commentary

Context of Matthew 13:26

This verse is a crucial part of the Parable of the Tares (or Weeds), one of several parables Jesus taught to explain the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. Following the Parable of the Sower, this narrative addresses the perplexing reality of evil coexisting with good within the world, and even within the visible church. The landowner's servants notice the problem only "when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit," highlighting that the distinction between genuine faith and false appearances becomes clear over time, especially as character and actions mature.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Coexistence of Good and Evil: The primary message is that genuine believers (wheat) and false professors or children of the wicked one (tares) will grow together until the time of harvest. This challenges the expectation of a pure, unblemished kingdom on earth before the final judgment.
  • Divine Patience and Timing: God permits both to grow together, demonstrating His patience and allowing time for repentance and for the wheat to fully ripen. The separation is reserved for a specific, future time of judgment, as explained later by Jesus in Matthew 13:39.
  • Discernment and Maturity: The fact that the tares "appeared" only when the wheat "brought forth fruit" suggests that in early stages, it can be difficult to distinguish between true and false followers. It is by their fruit—their actions, character, and spiritual maturity—that they are ultimately known.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "tares" is zizania (ζιζάνια), which specifically refers to darnel, a weed that is nearly identical to wheat in its early stages of growth. This botanical accuracy is vital to the parable's meaning: it was practically impossible to distinguish darnel from wheat until both plants matured and began to bear fruit. Furthermore, darnel was considered a noxious weed, often causing illness if consumed. This detail underscores the insidious nature of the "tares" and the difficulty of their immediate removal without harming the good crop.

Practical Application

For believers today, Matthew 13:26 offers several practical insights:

  • Patience in a Mixed World: Do not be disheartened or surprised by the presence of evil, hypocrisy, or ungodliness within society or even within religious communities. This parable teaches us to expect such coexistence.
  • Focus on Personal Growth: Instead of being overly concerned with rooting out what appears to be evil in others, the emphasis should be on ensuring one's own spiritual fruitfulness and genuine connection to God.
  • Trust God's Justice: The parable assures us that there will be a day of reckoning, a final harvest, when God Himself will perfectly separate the righteous from the wicked. This provides comfort and encourages trust in divine justice rather than attempting to execute premature judgment (see Romans 12:19).
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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