Matthew 13:25

But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

But {G1161} while {G1722} men {G444} slept {G2518}, his {G846} enemy {G2190} came {G2064} and {G2532} sowed {G4687} tares {G2215} among {G303}{G3319} the wheat {G4621}, and {G2532} went his way {G565}.

but while people were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, then went away.

But while everyone was asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and slipped away.

but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares also among the wheat, and went away.

Commentary

Matthew 13:25 (KJV) is a pivotal verse within the Parable of the Tares, also known as the Parable of the Weeds, a significant teaching by Jesus about the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven and the presence of evil in the world.

Context

This verse is part of a series of parables Jesus taught to the crowds by the sea of Galilee, as recorded in Matthew chapter 13. The Parable of the Tares (Matthew 13:24-30) describes a farmer who sows good seed (wheat) in his field. Verse 25 reveals the insidious action of "his enemy," who secretly introduces harmful weeds among the valuable crop. Jesus later explains the meaning of this parable to His disciples in Matthew 13:36-43, clarifying the identity of the sower, the field, the good seed, the tares, and the enemy.

Key Themes

  • The Enemy's Stealth and Deception: The phrase "while men slept" highlights the subtle and often unnoticed way evil is introduced into the world or into communities. It speaks to the enemy's cunning and opportunistic nature, acting when vigilance is low. This echoes warnings about spiritual alertness found elsewhere in scripture, such as 1 Peter 5:8.
  • The Coexistence of Good and Evil: This verse underscores the reality that good and evil will grow side-by-side in the world until the time of judgment. The "tares" are indistinguishable from the "wheat" during their early growth stages, making immediate separation difficult and potentially damaging to the good crop.
  • Delayed Judgment: The enemy's action is not immediately rectified by the farmer. The parables teach that God permits both good and evil to grow together until a designated time of harvest, which represents the final judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "tares" is zizanion (ζιζάνιον). This refers to darnel (Lolium temulentum), a common weed in the Middle East that, in its early stages of growth, looks remarkably similar to wheat. Only as both plants mature do the differences become apparent, particularly in their seeds. This linguistic detail is crucial to understanding the parable's message: the difficulty in distinguishing genuine followers from false ones until the harvest (judgment).

Practical Application

Matthew 13:25 offers several enduring lessons for believers today:

  • Spiritual Vigilance: The phrase "while men slept" serves as a powerful reminder to remain spiritually alert and watchful. We are called to be sober and vigilant, recognizing that the enemy, the devil, is constantly at work, seeking to sow discord, false doctrine, and unrighteousness in our lives and in the church.
  • Discerning Deception: We must be aware that not everything that appears good is good, and false teachings can subtly infiltrate genuine faith. This requires careful study of God's Word and discernment through the Holy Spirit.
  • Patience and Trust in God's Timing: The parable encourages patience in the face of apparent evil or injustice. God knows who belongs to Him and who does not. He will ultimately separate the righteous from the wicked at the appointed time, as described in the parable's conclusion about the harvest at the end of the age. Our role is to focus on bearing good fruit, not to prematurely judge or uproot others.
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Cross-References

  • 1 Peter 5:8 (19 votes)

    ¶ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

  • Acts 20:30 (10 votes)

    Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

  • Acts 20:31 (10 votes)

    Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

  • 2 Peter 2:1 (10 votes)

    ¶ But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

  • Matthew 13:39 (9 votes)

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

  • Revelation 12:9 (8 votes)

    And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

  • Hebrews 12:15 (7 votes)

    Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble [you], and thereby many be defiled;