The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares

24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

Other Translations of Matthew 13:24

New International Version

The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares

24 Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.

English Standard Version

The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares

24 He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field,

The Message

The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares

24 He told another story. "God's kingdom is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field.

New King James Version

The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares

24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;

New Living Translation

The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares

24 Here is another story Jesus told: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 13:24

Commentary on Matthew 13:24-30

(Read Matthew 13:24-30)

36-43 This parable represents the present and future state of the gospel church; Christ's care of it, the devil's enmity against it, the mixture there is in it of good and bad in this world, and the separation between them in the other world. So prone is fallen man to sin, that if the enemy sow the tares, he may go his way, they will spring up, and do hurt; whereas, when good seed is sown, it must be tended, watered, and fenced. The servants complained to their master; Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? No doubt he did; whatever is amiss in the church, we are sure it is not from Christ. Though gross transgressors, and such as openly oppose the gospel, ought to be separated from the society of the faithful, yet no human skill can make an exact separation. Those who oppose must not be cut off, but instructed, and that with meekness. And though good and bad are together in this world, yet at the great day they shall be parted; then the righteous and the wicked shall be plainly known; here sometimes it is hard to distinguish between them. Let us, knowing the terrors of the Lord, not do iniquity. At death, believers shall shine forth to themselves; at the great day they shall shine forth before all the world. They shall shine by reflection, with light borrowed from the Fountain of light. Their sanctification will be made perfect, and their justification published. May we be found of that happy number.