Mysteries of the Kingdom
“The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn” Matthew 13:24-30
TARES: (Darnel or Cockle) – Lolium temulentum, weed which grows among grain, particularly wheat. The similarity between these two plants is so close in resemblance, that in some regions cockle is referred to as “false wheat.” Their stalks are the same, they wilt the same, they blow the same, but it is not until they are fully mature that you are able to determine one from the other. Their differences are only distinguished by the head or tips at maturity.
A reason for not removing a Tare before harvest season, is the farmer risks damaging the roots of the wheat, for the roots of both may have become entangled while growing side by side.
Darnel flour is poisonous and gives a bitter taste to bread in which it has been mixed. It also possesses the ability to make one feel poisoned with drunkenness. Also according to the encyclopedia, Tares parasite wheat fields. A parasite is an organism that grows, feeds, and is sheltered on or in a different organism while contributing nothing to the survival of its host.
The Kingdom of Heaven
The farmer sows good seed, but while the plants are developing, weeds sprout up. The true and the false are mingled together in the same field.
It is interesting that the bad seed is sown while everybody is asleep. Consider this in relation to Matthew 25:1-13, the Parable of the Ten Virgins.
Notice, too, that God clearly shows that the sowing of bad seed was a deliberate act. An enemy did this! To understand this correctly, we have to recognize that God permitted it and it will continue. Both will remain until God separates us at the resurrection.
This parable is fulfilled in the visible church. If we compare this to Revelation 2 and 3, we can conclude that in some of the churches, the tares dominate.
This does not mean that true Christians are not there. For instance, in Thyatira, tares are running things! The same is true of the Pergamos church, where Satan’s seat is. How about Sardis? They have a name that they are alive, but they are dead!
Jesus says that only a few among them are still awake, who have not left the faith.
We can also conclude that all of the churches of God have tares in them. It is entirely logical to think (also) that every one of those churches have a variety of true Christians in various stages of development. They contain a mixture of seed, good and bad, in various stages of growth.
Sola Dei Gloria 
It’s interesting to ponder on the fact that “the sowing of bad seed was a deliberate act.” One application that comes to mind is this question:
In Church history, and in this present time, how much of false teaching has been the result of ignorance and misinterpretation, and how much has perhaps been sown deliberately?
Also, in what other forms is bad seed sown, aside from false teaching?
What is seen in this passage, of course, is people of both varieties (wheat and tares, very similar in appearance), and not so much different forms of teachings.
Thank God for the gift of discernment that He gives to His people. Hebrews 4:12 also comes to mind:
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Those are interesting questions Adam.
Just answering from personal experience i’d say a lot of the ignorance and/or misinterpretations are a result of the enemy sowing bad seed.
We’re told in the parable,’while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat..’
Slept seems to be the key word here. Its when the church becomes lethargic, apathetic, or sleepy, that scriptural misinterpretations [which if not immediately corrected, lead to false doctrines] enter the church. Darby’s dispensationalist teachings are an excellent example.
I think there have been specific seasons when the church has went into a spiritual coma. Don’t you?
Its during those seasons that even ‘good servants’ can become sleepy [like the 10 virgins] and once they are awakened, realize too late the damage has already been done in the ‘field’.
Yes, I agree that there have been seasons in Church history, and within certain nations in particular, when the Church has slumbered, and a price is paid both immediately and down the road.
Dispensationalism is the first thing I thought of as well when I formulated my first question. I found it very interesting some time back when you posted Charles Spurgeon’s critique of Dispensationalism and John Nelson Darby’s teachings in general. Spurgeon was a near contemporary of Darby, and I wondered if he was almost a lone voice crying in the wilderness when it came to those matters. Dispensationalism has become quite the beast since then.
Laura, your thoughts on darnel flour are indeed very interesting.
The parable of the wheat and tares (Mat. 13:39-43), the faithful servant that becomes wicked (Mat. 24:45-51, the ten virgins (Mat. 25:1-13, the three servants (v.14-30), and the sheep and goats (v. 31-46) all are describing the coming of the Son of Man. His coming will be like the days of Noah, no man knows the exact day or hour. At His coming one will be taken up another left. After the Son of Man comes in the glory of His Father, with His holy angels, Jesus will judge His elect according to their works. (Mat. 16:27) There is only one coming of the Son of Man. Jesus comes after the sun, moon and stars go out (6th seal) Mat. 24:29, Rev. 6:12-14, Isa. 13:9-11, Joel 2:30-31) So what two events is Jesus highlighting in the above parables? It can only be the resurrection of the dead in Christ/rapture of those alive; followed by the judgment seat of Christ in heaven. That’s right, Jesus does not sit on the earth and separate the saved from the unsaved after the opening of the 6th seal. The Judgment Seat takes place in heaven from His Bema Seat. In my new book, TIL ETERNITY, by Paul Bortolazzo, this critical truth by Jesus is laid out. gbu paulbortolazzo.com
Darnel flour is poisonous and gives a bitter taste to bread in which it has been mixed. It also possesses the ability to make one feel poisoned with drunkenness.
This is an interesting fact considering the onslaught of drunken manifestations going on especially during the recent ‘awakenings’ and ‘revival’ at IHOP and Morning Star Ministries.
Laura i caught that too. Isn’t that interesting?
It does raise some questions…
Thanks for the insight on this parable, not all in the church is champagne and roses , so to speak.
I agree with those who stated that the enemy sows evil seed during a period of slumber. The enemy is an opportunist by nature, so he looks for any advantage. This is why we are called to watch AND pray.
I know what it is to be lulled to sleep by “doing church.” I know what it is to be so busy for God that I’ve inadvertently lost the way. And I know what it is to be rudely awakened (thankfully) from my slumber, and to finally see the light of day. That’s when you really get your marching orders.
I believe God is faithful to His Word, and His Word says that His eyes roam to and fro over the whole earth to strengthen the hearts of those who are fully committed to Him.
When God strips you of your props, structures and man-made security blankets, He brings you to Himself, where all else pales in comparison, and only then are the tares easier to spot.
-E
O that we would have discernment. What a good reminder that we are not to be complacent but be zealous and repent (Rev 3:19) having an ear to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.