Matthew 13:27

Context

The verse Matthew 13:27 is part of Jesus's Parable of the Tares (or Weeds), one of several parables about the Kingdom of Heaven found in Matthew Chapter 13. In this parable, a "householder" (representing God or the Son of Man) sows good seed in his field. The servants' question in this verse highlights the central problem of the parable: the unexpected appearance of "tares" (weeds) among the good grain, prompting their bewildered inquiry to the master about their origin. This parable immediately follows the Parable of the Sower, further illustrating the dynamics of spiritual growth and opposition in the world.

Key Themes and Messages

• The Origin of Evil: The servants' question, "from whence then hath it tares?", directly addresses the perplexing presence of evil and corruption in a world that God created good and where He sows good. It reflects a common human struggle to reconcile God's goodness with the existence of suffering and wickedness.
• God's Sovereignty and Patience: While the householder's full response comes in subsequent verses (Matthew 13:28-30), the question sets the stage for understanding God's divine strategy. He permits both good and evil to coexist for a time, demonstrating immense patience and reserving final judgment for the appointed "harvest."
• Discernment Challenges: The very nature of "tares" (as explained below) implies the difficulty of distinguishing between true believers and false ones, or genuine good and deceptive evil, especially in their early stages. This challenges premature judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "tares" is zizania (ζιζάνια), which refers specifically to darnel grass (Lolium temulentum). This weed is notoriously difficult to distinguish from wheat in its early stages of growth, as its appearance is very similar. It's only as both plants mature and bear fruit that their differences become apparent. This linguistic detail is crucial to understanding the parable's core dilemma: the practical impossibility and potential harm of attempting to separate them before the proper time of harvest. Furthermore, darnel is poisonous, underscoring the destructive nature of the "tares."

Practical Application

This verse, and the parable it introduces, offers several vital lessons for believers today:

1. Acknowledge the Enemy's Work: We must recognize that evil is not inherent in God's sowing but is actively introduced by an enemy (Matthew 13:28), identified as the Devil (Matthew 13:39). This helps us correctly attribute the source of spiritual corruption.
2. Exercise Patience and Trust God's Timing: Just as the householder advises against immediate uprooting, we are called to be patient and trust God's perfect timing for judgment and separation. Attempts to prematurely "cleanse" the world or the church of perceived evil can cause more harm than good, potentially uprooting genuine good along with the bad.
3. Focus on Bearing Good Fruit: Instead of obsessing over who is "wheat" and who is "tare," our primary focus should be on ensuring we ourselves are good seed, producing fruit for the Kingdom, and living out our calling as lights in the world. The ultimate separation is God's responsibility.