How Did Jesus Explain the Parable of the Weeds to His Disciples?

Jesus often used parables to teach his disciples about the Kingdom of God. One such parable is the Parable of the Weeds, which Jesus explained to his disciples in Matthew 13:24-30.

The Parable of the Weeds

Jesus told his disciples that the Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

The farmer’s servants came to him and asked, “Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?”

The farmer replied, “An enemy did this.”

The servants asked him if they should go and pull up the weeds, but he told them not to because they might uproot the wheat along with them. He instructed them to let both grow together until harvest time when he will tell the harvesters to collect the weeds first and tie them in bundles to be burned. Then he will gather the wheat into his barn.

Explanation of the Parable

Jesus explained that he is like the farmer who sowed good seed in his field. The field is the world, and the good seed represents those who belong to his Kingdom.

But just as there were weeds among the wheat in the parable, there are also those who do not belong to his Kingdom living among those who do. The enemy who sowed weeds among the wheat represents Satan.

Jesus warned that at harvest time, which represents judgment day, he will send out his angels to weed out everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will be thrown into a blazing furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

On that day, Jesus said that those who belong to him will shine like stars in heaven.

Conclusion

The Parable of the Weeds teaches us that while we wait for the harvest, we must coexist with those who do not belong to God’s Kingdom. We must not judge them or try to uproot them but instead, we must pray for their salvation.

As Jesus’ disciples, we must strive to be like the wheat in the parable, producing a bountiful harvest for God’s Kingdom. And when judgment day comes, we can look forward to shining like stars in heaven as we enter into eternal life with our Lord and Savior.