Matthew 13:40

KJV

As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

KJV (with Strong's)

As {G5618} therefore {G3767} the tares {G2215} are gathered {G4816} and {G2532} burned {G2618} in the fire {G4442}; so {G3779} shall it be {G2071} in {G1722} the end {G4930} of this {G5127} world {G165}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Just as the weeds are collected and burned up in the fire, so will it be at the end of the age.

Berean Standard Bible

As the weeds are collected and burned in the fire, so will it be at the end of the age.

American Standard Version

As therefore the tares are gathered up and burned with fire; so shall it be in the end of the world.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 13:40 concludes Jesus's interpretation of the Parable of the Tares, vividly portraying the inevitable and decisive judgment awaiting the wicked at the culmination of the present age. Through the imagery of tares being gathered and consumed by fire, the verse underscores the ultimate separation of the righteous from the unrighteous, emphasizing the severe and irreversible consequences for those who reject God's kingdom and persist in evil. It serves as a stark warning of divine justice and the final reckoning that will bring this era to its appointed end.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 13:40 is an integral part of Jesus's private explanation of the Parable of the Tares, found in the broader discourse of parables in [Matthew 13](/matthew/13 "Matthew 13 - Parables of the Kingdom"). The parable itself is presented in [Matthew 13:24-30](/matthew/13-24-30 "The Parable of the Tares"). Following the public teaching, the disciples specifically request clarification on the "Parable of the Tares" in [Matthew 13:36](/matthew/13-36 "Disciples Ask for Explanation"). Jesus's detailed interpretation, spanning [Matthew 13:37-43](/matthew/13-37-43 "Jesus Explains the Parable of the Tares"), systematically decodes each symbolic element: the sower is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed are the sons of the kingdom, the tares are the sons of the wicked one, the enemy is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Verse 40 specifically reiterates the fate of the "tares," mirroring the initial narrative of the parable where the weeds are gathered and burned, thereby reinforcing the certainty of judgment.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of wheat and tares (darnel) in the parable was deeply rooted in the agricultural practices of ancient Israel. Darnel (Greek: _zizania_) is a weed that, in its early stages, closely resembles wheat, making it nearly impossible to distinguish until both plants mature. Attempting to pull the darnel before harvest would risk uprooting the valuable wheat as well. This agricultural reality provides the practical basis for the master's instruction to "let both grow together until the harvest" ([Matthew 13:30](/matthew/13-30 "Let Both Grow Together")). The "harvest" was a common biblical metaphor for judgment, a time of separation and reckoning, understood by Jewish audiences from Old Testament prophecies (e.g., [Joel 3:13](/joel/3-13 "Put in the Sickle, for the Harvest is Ripe")). The concept of a "consummation of the age" (often translated as "end of the world") was also a familiar eschatological idea within Jewish thought, referring to the culmination of the present evil age and the ushering in of the Messianic age or the age to come.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Matthew's Gospel and biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment**, emphasizing God's ultimate justice and the certainty of a future reckoning where evil will not prevail indefinitely. It highlights the **Separation of Righteous and Wicked**, a recurring motif in Jesus's teaching, where an eventual, definitive division will occur, distinguishing those who belong to the kingdom from those who do not. The phrase "end of this world" (or "consummation of the age") points to **Eschatology and the Consummation of the Age**, signaling a decisive transition in God's redemptive plan, leading to the establishment of His eternal kingdom. Finally, it underscores the **Consequences of Rejection and Wickedness**, vividly depicting the severe and destructive fate awaiting those who remain as "tares," serving as a solemn warning to all hearers.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **tares (Greek, _zizánion'_):** This term refers to darnel, a weed (likely _Lolium temulentum_) that, in its early growth, is almost indistinguishable from wheat. This botanical detail is crucial to the parable's plot, explaining why the separation is delayed until the harvest. The presence of "tares" among the "wheat" symbolizes the coexistence of the wicked alongside the righteous within the world until the appointed time of judgment.
* **burned (Greek, _katakaíō'_):** Derived from _katá_ (down) and _kaíō_ (to burn), this verb means "to burn down" or "to consume wholly." It signifies complete destruction by fire. In the context of judgment, it conveys the idea of total, irreversible ruin and the severe, destructive consequences awaiting the wicked, emphasizing the finality of their condemnation.
* **end (Greek, _syntéleia'_):** This word means "entire completion," "consummation," or "end," indicating the bringing to a close or fulfillment of something. It is not merely a temporal end but a climactic conclusion, signaling the full realization of a divine purpose or dispensation.
* **world (Greek, _aiṓn'_):** While often translated "world," _aiṓn_ more accurately refers to an "age," "era," or "eon." It denotes a period of time with specific characteristics, rather than the physical globe (_kosmos_). Therefore, "the end of this world" is better understood as "the consummation of this age," signifying the close of the present spiritual and historical epoch, leading into the eternal state or the age to come.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire;":** This clause draws a direct parallel between the agricultural process described in the parable and its spiritual reality. Just as farmers meticulously separate the worthless darnel from the valuable wheat at harvest time, collecting the weeds to be destroyed by fire, so too will a similar, precise separation occur in the spiritual realm. The imagery of fire here is not merely for disposal but signifies a destructive, purifying judgment, a common biblical motif for divine wrath and punishment.
* **"so shall it be in the end of this world.":** This second clause applies the agricultural simile directly to the eschatological reality. The "end of this world" (or "consummation of the age") is the divinely appointed time when the separation of the righteous from the wicked will take place. This is not the annihilation of the physical earth, but the culmination of the present era characterized by the coexistence of good and evil. At this decisive point, God's patience will give way to His perfect justice, bringing about the final judgment and the full establishment of His kingdom.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 13:40 is rich with literary devices that amplify its message. The most prominent is **Simile**, explicitly stated by the "As... so..." construction, drawing a direct comparison between the agricultural process of harvesting and burning tares and the future divine judgment. This comparison makes an abstract theological concept tangible and relatable. **Symbolism** is also central, with the "tares" representing the "sons of the wicked one" ([Matthew 13:38](/matthew/13-38 "The Tares are the Sons of the Wicked One")) and "fire" symbolizing divine judgment and destruction. The entire parable, and this verse within its explanation, functions as an **Allegory**, where each element holds a specific spiritual meaning. Furthermore, the verse serves as powerful **Foreshadowing**, pointing definitively to a future event of ultimate reckoning and separation, building anticipation for the culmination of God's redemptive plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 13:40 profoundly underscores the biblical doctrine of divine judgment, emphasizing that God's patience with evil is not perpetual, but will culminate in a definitive separation and reckoning. It reveals the certainty of eschatological justice, where the hidden spiritual realities of the present age will be fully exposed and dealt with. The imagery of fire speaks to the severity and finality of this judgment, a common biblical motif for divine wrath against unrighteousness. This verse assures believers that evil will not triumph indefinitely and serves as a sober warning to all about the eternal consequences of one's spiritual standing before God.

* [Matthew 25:31-33](/matthew/25-31-33 "The Separation of the Sheep and the Goats") – Jesus describes the Son of Man separating people "as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats," with the goats (wicked) being cast into eternal fire.
* [2 Thessalonians 1:7-9](/2_thessalonians/1-7-9 "Judgment at Christ's Return") – Paul speaks of the Lord Jesus being revealed from heaven "with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God."
* [Revelation 20:14-15](/revelation/20-14-15 "The Lake of Fire") – Describes death and Hades being cast into the "lake of fire," which is the "second death," and anyone not found in the Book of Life being cast into it.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 13:40 confronts us with the sobering reality of a future, inescapable judgment. It reminds us that while God is patient and allows both the righteous and the unrighteous to coexist in this present age, there is a divinely appointed "harvest" when all will be revealed and separated. For the believer, this truth offers immense comfort: justice will ultimately prevail, and the presence of evil in the world is temporary. It encourages perseverance in righteousness, knowing that our true identity as "wheat" will be affirmed. For those who have not yet surrendered to Christ, this verse stands as a profound warning, urging immediate repentance and faith. It compels us to examine our lives honestly: Are we living as "wheat," bearing fruit for the kingdom, or as "tares," deceptively resembling the good but ultimately destined for destruction? This reflection should stir within us a holy urgency to live lives that genuinely reflect our allegiance to Christ and to share the Gospel with those still living as "tares," so they might turn to the true Sower before the "end of the age" arrives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of "tares gathered and burned" impact your understanding of divine justice?**
* **In what ways does knowing about the "end of this world" (consummation of the age) influence your daily priorities and decisions?**
* **What practical steps can you take to ensure you are living as "wheat" and not "tares" in the eyes of God?**
* **How can this verse motivate you to share the hope of the Gospel with others, in light of the coming judgment?**

### FAQ
**What does "the end of this world" truly mean in Matthew 13:40?**

Answer: The phrase "the end of this world" (Greek: _syntéleia tou aiōnos_) does not refer to the physical annihilation of planet Earth. Instead, it signifies the "consummation of the age" or the "completion of this present era." In biblical eschatology, an "age" (Greek: _aiṓn_) refers to a period of time with specific spiritual and historical characteristics. This "end" marks the climactic conclusion of the current age, characterized by the coexistence of good and evil, and the ushering in of the eternal kingdom of God. It is the time when God's redemptive plan reaches its full realization, and final judgment occurs, as further explained in [Matthew 24:3](/matthew/24-3 "The Disciples Ask About the End of the Age").

**Who are the "tares" and the "wheat" in this parable?**

Answer: In Jesus's own explanation of the Parable of the Tares, He explicitly identifies the "wheat" as "the children of the kingdom" and the "tares" as "the children of the wicked one" ([Matthew 13:38](/matthew/13-38 "Jesus Explains the Parable of the Tares")). The "wicked one" is the devil. Therefore, the "wheat" represent true believers, those who belong to God's kingdom through faith in Christ and bear good fruit. The "tares" represent those who, while appearing to be part of the community, are ultimately aligned with evil, producing no true spiritual fruit, and will be exposed and separated at the time of judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 13:40, with its stark imagery of judgment at the "end of this world," finds its ultimate fulfillment and meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. As the Son of Man, Jesus is not only the one who sows the good seed (the children of the kingdom) but also the appointed Judge who will preside over the final separation and judgment ([Matthew 13:37](/matthew/13-37 "The Sower is the Son of Man")). His first coming initiated the "end of the ages" ([Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "He Has Appeared to Put Away Sin")), establishing His kingdom and making salvation available. However, His second coming will bring the full consummation of the age, when He will send forth His angels "to gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness" ([Matthew 13:41](/matthew/13-41 "Angels Gather Out All Things That Offend")). The "fire" of judgment, though terrifying, is a necessary consequence of His holiness and justice, ensuring that His kingdom will ultimately be pure and undefiled. For those who are "in Christ," this judgment holds no terror, for He has already borne the fire of God's wrath on the cross, becoming the ultimate sacrifice for sin ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "He Was Wounded for Our Transgressions")). Thus, the terrifying fate of the "tares" underscores the profound grace and salvation offered through the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")), enabling believers to be counted among the "wheat" and shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father ([Matthew 13:43](/matthew/13-43 "The Righteous Will Shine")).

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

Matthew 13:39

The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.