Now follows the second parable in this series of eight parables, which the Lord spoke. This parable, like that of the sower, is also interrupted. In the parable of the sower we saw that it is interrupted by Jesus’ explanation of why He spoke in parables.
In the parable of the weeds, the Lord first tells two other parables, before His disciples come to ask Him for the explanation of the parable of the weeds and He gives it: the parable of the mustard seed and the parable of the leaven. This is how we know that these three parables belong together.
first of three
The parable of the weeds is the first in a series of three parables, all three of which have a negative tendency. They are about that which goes ‘wrong’. Because they belong together, all three begin the same: another likeness…, the kingdom of heaven is like… (:24,31,33).
24 He put forth another parable unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field.
25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed poisonous weeds among the wheat, and went his way.
26 But when the blade sprang up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the poisonous weeds also.
27 And the servants of the master came unto him, and said, Lord, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? Where then cometh the poisonous weeds from?
28 And he said unto them, An enemy hath done this. And the servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
29 And he said, Nay; lest by gathering up the poisonous weeds ye root up the wheat at the same time.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest. And in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the poisonous weeds, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my storehouse.
poisonous weed
The poisonous weed (Greek: zizanion) that is sown among the grain or wheat is tare. This is a type of grass that is almost indistinguishable from wheat, especially in the early stages. It is also poisonous and is known to have a narcotic effect and to impair vision.
In connection with the meaning, this is characteristic, because the enemy who sows the tare is a picture of Satan (:39). He is the one who blinds (2 Cor.4:4) and intoxicates (1 Thess.5:7).
the prince of darkness
Satan comes in the night to sow the tares, because he is the prince of the world powers of darkness (Eph.6:12). In Scripture, the night represents the period when the Lord, as the light of the world (John 9:5), is absent. This parable is about the end of the aeon (:39,40), the end of the night. In contrast to this is the day in which the Lord will rise as the Sun of Righteousness (Mal. 4:2) and will be present from then on. The day of Christ (1 Cor. 1:8; Phil. 1:6), the coming aeon!