Stories of the Kingdom: The Parables of JesusSample

Parable of the Weeds Among Good Plants

In Matthew 13:24-30 and Matthew 13:36-43, Jesus tells the parable of the weeds among the good plants. In this parable, a farmer sows good seeds in his field, but while everyone sleeps, an enemy sows weeds among the wheat. As the wheat and weeds grow, the servants notice the presence of weeds and ask the farmer if they should pull them out. However, the farmer instructs them to let both grow together until the harvest to avoid damaging the wheat. The weeds are gathered and burned at harvest time, while the grain is harvested and stored.

Later, when Jesus is alone with His disciples, they ask Him to explain the parable. Jesus reveals that the sower represents himself, the good seed represents the sons of the kingdom, the weeds represent the sons of the evil one, the enemy represents the devil, and the harvest represents the end of the age. Jesus explains that at the end of the age, the angels will separate the wicked from the righteous, just as the farmer separates the weeds from the wheat.

How can we maintain faith and perseverance amid adversity or the presence of evil in the world?