Jul 27, 2014
Jesus taught a number of parables revealing the nature of the Kingdom between His first and second comings. The Parable of the Weeds is one such parable. The Parable of the Weeds follows the Parable of the Soils which explained why the good seed Jesus had sown had not taken root; it was because of the rocky soil that characterized the hearts of Israel's spiritual leaders. But there was another power at work as well which is the subject of the Parable of the Weeds.
In Matthew 13:24-30 Jesus gives the parable. The Greek noun translated "weeds" (zizania, used only here in the N.T.) refers to a plant similar in appearance to wheat which does not produce any grain. Before the genuine wheat produces grain, it is virtually impossible to tell the difference. Thus the master's prohibition against weeding out the zizania before the harvest.
In verses 36-43 Jesus explains the parable. Jesus is teaching that during the Church Age, wherever the good seed of God's Word is sown, Satan is right there sowing counterfeit seed. When is the time of the harvest?