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Tares

parable_image_term theological_term standard

In Jesus’ parable of the wheat and the tares, tares represent evil people who remain mixed with the righteous until the final judgment; the plant image is secondary to the parable’s meaning.

At a Glance

Tares are the false-looking weeds in Jesus’ parable that stand for the sons of the evil one.

They remain alongside the wheat until harvest.

The point is God’s patience now and His judgment at the end of the age.

Key Points

Description

Tares are the weeds in Jesus’ parable of the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43). In Jesus’ own explanation, the good seed represents the sons of the kingdom, the tares represent the sons of the evil one, the enemy is the devil, and the harvest points to the end of the age when God will separate the wicked from the righteous. The term is often associated with darnel, a weed that can resemble wheat in its early growth, but that botanical question is secondary to the parable’s meaning. The parable stresses God’s patience in the present age and the certainty of final separation and judgment.

Biblical Context

Jesus gives the parable in Matthew 13 and then interprets it for His disciples. The parable fits the larger theme of the kingdom of heaven in the present age: the kingdom’s message is received by some and rejected by others, and the final distinction will be made by God at the harvest.

Historical Context

In first-century grain fields, a weed such as darnel could resemble wheat while it was still young. That agricultural background helps explain the image, though Jesus’ teaching does not depend on precise botanical certainty.

Jewish and Ancient Context

Harvest imagery was readily understood as an image of divine assessment and judgment. Jesus uses familiar agrarian language to teach about the moral and eschatological separation that God will bring.

Primary Key Texts

Secondary Key Texts

Original Language Note

The Greek term is commonly linked with darnel or a similar weed that can look like wheat before maturity. The plant identification helps the image, but Jesus’ explanation defines the meaning.

Theological Significance

The parable emphasizes God’s patience, the mixed condition of the present age, and the certainty of final judgment. It also guards against premature and unwarranted attempts to make the final separation ourselves.

Philosophical Explanation

The image highlights how outward similarity can conceal real difference. What looks alike for a time will finally be distinguished at the harvest, when truth and character are fully disclosed.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not press the botanical detail beyond the parable’s purpose. Do not use the parable to deny church discipline, but also do not use it to justify harsh attempts to uproot every evil person now. Jesus reserves final separation to the end of the age.

Major Views

Most interpreters agree that Jesus’ explanation identifies the tares as the wicked. Discussion usually centers on application, not on the basic meaning of the image.

Doctrinal Boundaries

The parable supports divine patience, human accountability, and final judgment. It does not teach perfectionism in the present age or authorize violent purging of people from the kingdom field.

Practical Significance

Believers should be patient, discerning, and hopeful. The parable warns against despair over present mixed conditions and reminds Christians that God will judge rightly in His time.

Related Entries

See Also

Data

Machine-readable JSON for Tares

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