Matthew 13:27

KJV

So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?

KJV (with Strong's)

So {G1161} the servants {G1401} of the householder {G3617} came {G4334} and said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Sir {G2962}, didst {G4687} not {G3780} thou sow {G4687} good {G2570} seed {G4690} in {G1722} thy {G4674} field {G68}? from whence {G4159} then {G3767} hath it {G2192} tares {G2215}?

Complete Jewish Bible

The owner's servants came to him and said, `Sir didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?'

Berean Standard Bible

The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’

American Standard Version

And the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? whence then hath it tares?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 13:27 captures the bewildered inquiry of the householder's servants upon discovering weeds (tares) growing amidst the good seed they had witnessed their master sow in his field. This pivotal question, "Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?", sets the stage for the master's explanation of the enemy's insidious work and his patient strategy concerning the coexistence of good and evil within the "field" of the world until the time of harvest.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Jesus's [Parable of the Tares](/matthew/13-24-30 "Matthew 13:24-30 - The Parable of the Tares"), one of seven parables recounted in [Matthew 13](/matthew/13 "Matthew 13 - Parables of the Kingdom"), all of which illuminate various aspects of the [Kingdom of Heaven](/matthew/13-11 "Matthew 13:11 - Secrets of the Kingdom"). It immediately follows the [Parable of the Sower](/matthew/13-1-9 "Matthew 13:1-9 - The Parable of the Sower"), which describes different responses to the word of the kingdom, and precedes Jesus's private explanation of the Parable of the Tares to His disciples in [Matthew 13:36-43](/matthew/13-36-43 "Matthew 13:36-43 - Explanation of the Parable of the Tares"). The servants' question in verse 27 highlights the central dilemma of the parable: the unexpected and perplexing presence of evil within a realm where good has been deliberately sown.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Galilee was an agrarian society, making agricultural parables highly relatable to Jesus's audience. The "field" (Greek: _agros_) would typically refer to a cultivated plot of land, often for grain. The "tares" (Greek: _zizánion_) refer specifically to darnel ( _Lolium temulentum_), a common weed in the Middle East that, in its early stages, bears a striking resemblance to wheat. This similarity made early distinction and removal difficult without also uprooting the genuine crop. Furthermore, darnel is poisonous, adding a layer of danger and malice to its presence. The act of an enemy secretly sowing weeds in a rival's field was a known act of sabotage, reflecting the malicious intent behind the tares' presence.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 13:27 contributes significantly to several key themes within the chapter and the broader Gospel. It underscores the theme of the **origin of evil**, directly posing the question of how corruption arises in a good creation. It introduces the theme of **God's patience and sovereignty**, as the householder's subsequent response (in [Matthew 13:28-30](/matthew/13-28-30 "Matthew 13:28-30 - The Master's Patience")) reveals a divine strategy that allows good and evil to coexist until a predetermined time of judgment. Furthermore, the difficulty in distinguishing wheat from tares highlights the theme of **discernment challenges** within the visible kingdom, cautioning against premature or human-driven attempts at separation, a concept further explained in [Matthew 13:29](/matthew/13-29 "Matthew 13:29 - The Danger of Premature Separation").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **servants (Greek, _doûlos'_):** From the root meaning "to bind," this term signifies a slave or bond-servant, emphasizing a relationship of subjection or subserviency. In this context, it refers to those who serve the householder, implying their loyalty and concern for their master's property and reputation. Their question stems from this position of devoted service.
* **householder (Greek, _oikodespótēs'_):** A compound word meaning "master of the house" or "head of a family." This term denotes the owner and manager of the property, who holds authority and responsibility over the field and its produce. His role is central to the parable, as he is the one who sowed the good seed and to whom the servants appeal for an explanation.
* **tares (Greek, _zizánion'_):** This specific term refers to darnel, a poisonous weed that closely resembles wheat in its early growth stages. Its inclusion is crucial for the parable's meaning, as it highlights the deceptive nature of evil and the practical difficulty of distinguishing it from genuine good until maturity, thus justifying the householder's instruction to wait until the harvest.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So the servants of the householder came and said unto him,"**: This opening clause establishes the scene and the characters involved. The "servants" (doûloi), concerned for their master's field, approach him directly, indicating their trust and his authority. Their coming and speaking set the narrative in motion, introducing the central problem.
* **"Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field?"**: This is the servants' initial, bewildered question. They appeal to the "Sir" (kýrios), acknowledging his mastership. Their question is rhetorical, expressing their certainty that the master sowed only "good seed" (kalós spérma) in "his field" (sós agrós). This emphasizes the master's intentional act of sowing good, making the presence of tares all the more perplexing and seemingly contradictory to his character and actions.
* **"from whence then hath it tares?"**: This is the core of their inquiry, a direct question about the origin of the unexpected evil. The phrase "from whence then" (póthen oûn) seeks to understand the source of this foreign, undesirable element. It reflects a universal human struggle to reconcile the existence of evil and suffering in a world created and overseen by a good and sovereign God.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Interrogation**, as the servants' entire utterance is a question directed at the householder. This rhetorical device serves to highlight the central dilemma of the parable: the perplexing presence of evil where only good was expected. The question also carries a subtle undertone of **Irony**, as the servants are unaware of the malicious act of an enemy, a truth that the householder (and later, Jesus's explanation) will reveal. Furthermore, the entire parable, and thus this verse, is a rich example of **Symbolism**, where the "field," "good seed," and "tares" represent spiritual realities related to the [Kingdom of Heaven](/matthew/13-24 "Matthew 13:24 - The Kingdom of Heaven as a Field") and the spiritual conflict within the world.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 13:27 directly confronts the problem of evil, a perennial theological question. It posits that evil is not inherent in God's original creation or His sowing, but is an external, malicious intrusion. The servants' question echoes humanity's cry for understanding in the face of suffering and corruption in a world that God declared "good." This sets the stage for the householder's (and ultimately, Jesus's) revelation that an "enemy" is responsible, and that God, in His sovereignty, permits the coexistence of good and evil until a final, decisive judgment. This divine patience is not indifference but a strategic delay to ensure the full maturation of the "good seed" and to prevent harm to it during premature separation.

* [Genesis 3:1-7](/genesis/3-1-7 "Genesis 3:1-7 - The Fall of Humanity") - Illustrates the entry of evil into a good creation through an external tempter.
* [Romans 8:20-22](/romans/8-20-22 "Romans 8:20-22 - Creation Groans Under Futility") - Describes creation's subjection to futility, not by its own will, but by God's design, awaiting redemption.
* [1 John 3:8](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - The Devil's Works") - States that the Son of God appeared to destroy the works of the devil, affirming the devil as the source of evil.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The servants' bewildered question in Matthew 13:27 resonates deeply with our own experiences in a fallen world. We often look at the world, or even the church, and wonder why evil, suffering, and hypocrisy exist alongside genuine faith and goodness, especially when we believe in a sovereign and good God. This parable reminds us that evil is not a defect in God's original sowing but the deliberate work of an enemy. Our role is not to prematurely judge or "uproot" those we perceive as "tares," which can lead to spiritual pride, division, and even harm to genuine believers. Instead, we are called to focus on cultivating our own "good seed" nature, bearing fruit for the Kingdom, and trusting God's perfect timing and ultimate justice. This perspective fosters patience, humility, and a greater reliance on divine wisdom rather than human attempts at purification.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the servants' question reflect your own struggles to understand the presence of evil in the world or within the church?**
* **What temptations do you face to "uproot" or prematurely judge others, and how can this parable guide your response?**
* **How does understanding the "enemy" as the source of tares impact your view of spiritual warfare and personal responsibility?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "tares" being so similar to wheat?**

Answer: The striking resemblance between darnel (tares) and wheat, especially in their early growth stages, is crucial to the parable's meaning. It symbolizes the difficulty, if not impossibility, of discerning true believers from false ones (or genuine good from deceptive evil) by human judgment alone, particularly in the nascent stages of the kingdom's growth. This similarity is why the householder instructs his servants to wait until the harvest, as premature attempts to separate them would inevitably result in uprooting some of the good wheat along with the tares, as stated in [Matthew 13:29](/matthew/13-29 "Matthew 13:29 - Don't Uproot the Wheat"). This emphasizes God's patience and His prerogative as the ultimate judge.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 13:27, though a question from servants, points directly to the person and work of Christ. The "householder" who sows the good seed is ultimately revealed by Jesus Himself to be the "Son of Man" ([Matthew 13:37](/matthew/13-37 "Matthew 13:37 - The Son of Man Sows Good Seed")), identifying Himself as the divine sower of the Kingdom. This implies that the "good seed" represents the "children of the kingdom" ([Matthew 13:38](/matthew/13-38 "Matthew 13:38 - The Good Seed Are the Children of the Kingdom")), those who belong to Christ. The presence of "tares" highlights the reality of spiritual opposition and the work of the "enemy" (the devil, [Matthew 13:39](/matthew/13-39 "Matthew 13:39 - The Enemy is the Devil")), which Christ came to confront and ultimately defeat. While the question expresses human bewilderment, Christ's subsequent explanation reveals His sovereign knowledge and control over the kingdom's development, even amidst evil. He is the one who will, at the "harvest" (the end of the age, [Matthew 13:39](/matthew/13-39 "Matthew 13:39 - The Harvest is the End of the Age")), send His angels to gather out all things that offend and those who practice lawlessness, casting them into the furnace of fire ([Matthew 13:41-42](/matthew/13-41-42 "Matthew 13:41-42 - The Gathering and Judgment")). Thus, this verse foreshadows Christ's dual role as both the gracious sower of His people and the righteous judge who will bring ultimate separation and justice.

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

Romans 16:17

¶ Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

2 Corinthians 6:1

¶ We then, [as] workers together [with him], beseech [you] also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

2 Corinthians 5:18

And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

2 Corinthians 5:20

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

1 Corinthians 12:28

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

1 Corinthians 12:29

[Are] all apostles? [are] all prophets? [are] all teachers? [are] all workers of miracles?

2 Corinthians 6:4

But in all [things] approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,