In Matthew 13:24-30, Jesus tells the parable of the wheat and the tares, illustrating the concept of the “What Is A Tare In The Bible.” The parable describes a farmer who sowed good seeds in his field, only to have an enemy come and sow tares among the wheat. When the wheat and the tares began to grow together, the farmer’s servants asked whether they should pull out the tares, but the farmer instructed them to let both grow together until the harvest.
Matthew 13:30
Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the tares first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”
The tares in this parable represent those who are evil or do not belong to God, while the wheat symbolizes the righteous. This story serves as a reminder that there will always be challenges and obstacles in the world, but in the end, God will separate the good from the bad. The lesson of the tares teaches us to remain steadfast in our faith, trusting in God’s ultimate judgment and justice.
Understanding the Meaning of Tare in Biblical Context
The concept of tare in a biblical context can be found in several parables told by Jesus. Tare refers to weeds that grow among the wheat, representing evil or false believers that exist within the body of followers of God. Understanding the meaning of tare is essential for Christians to discern and deal with the presence of evil or deception within their midst.
1. **Parable of the Wheat and Tares (Matthew 13:24-30)**
In this parable, Jesus describes how a man sowed good seed in his field, but an enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat. When both the wheat and tares grew together, the servants asked if they should gather the tares, but the master said to let both grow together until the harvest. This parable illustrates the coexistence of good and evil within the church.
2. **Explanation of the Parable (Matthew 13:36-43)**
Jesus explains to His disciples that the good seed represents the sons of the kingdom, while the tares represent the sons of the evil one. He emphasizes that at the end of the age, the angels will separate the tares from the wheat, casting the tares into the fire.
3. **Sowing and Reaping (Galatians 6:7-8)**
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” – Galatians 6:7-8
This verse highlights the principle of sowing and reaping, emphasizing the consequences of allowing tares, or evil deeds, to grow and flourish among God’s people.
4. **Warning against False Teachers (Matthew 7:15-20)**
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.” – Matthew 7:15-20
Jesus warns His followers to be vigilant against false teachers who may appear outwardly righteous but are inwardly deceivers. By their fruits, or actions, believers can discern the true nature of these false prophets.
5. **Separation at the Final Judgement (Matthew 25:31-46)**
Jesus describes how at the final judgement, the Son of Man will separate the righteous from the unrighteous, saying to the righteous, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” This separation emphasizes the importance of discerning and eliminating the tares from the wheat.
In conclusion, understanding the meaning of tare in a biblical context is crucial for believers to recognize and address the presence of evil or false believers within the church. By being vigilant, discerning, and following the teachings of Jesus, Christians can strive to cultivate a community of genuine faith and righteousness.
Interpreting the Parable of the Wheat and Tares
In the book of Matthew, Jesus shares a parable about the kingdom of heaven, known as the Parable of the Wheat and Tares. This story provides us with insights into the nature of good and evil, and the importance of patience and discernment in understanding God’s kingdom.
Interpreting the Parable:
– The wheat represents those who belong to the kingdom of heaven, while the tares symbolize the sons of the evil one (Matthew 13:38).
– Just as wheat and tares grow together in the field, the righteous and the wicked coexist in the world (Matthew 13:30).
– The enemy sowed the tares among the wheat, signifying the work of the devil in planting evil in the world (Matthew 13:39).
– The owner instructs his servants not to pull out the tares, as doing so may harm the wheat. This highlights the need for discernment and patience in dealing with evil (Matthew 13:29).
– The separation of the wheat and tares will happen at the end of the age when the angels will gather the wicked and throw them into the fiery furnace (Matthew 13:41-42).
Bible Verses:
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Matthew 13:30 (NIV):
“Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time, I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.”
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Matthew 13:39 (NIV):
“The enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.”
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Matthew 13:41-42 (NIV):
“The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
As believers, we are called to live out our faith amidst the presence of evil in the world, trusting in God’s ultimate plan for judgment and redemption. It is essential to exercise discernment, patience, and faithfulness while bearing witness to the truth of the Gospel. Just as the wheat and tares grow together, we are to shine the light of Christ in the darkness, knowing that God will one day separate the righteous from the wicked.
Illustrative Table:
| Good (Wheat) | Evil (Tares) |
|——————-|—————–|
| Represents righteousness | Symbolizes wickedness |
| Sown by God | Planted by the devil |
| Will be gathered into God’s barn | Will be thrown into the fiery furnace |
In conclusion, the Parable of the Wheat and Tares reminds us to be vigilant in our faith, discerning of evil’s presence, and trusting in God’s sovereignty over all things. As we await the final harvest, let us continue to grow in grace and bear fruit for God’s kingdom, knowing that He will ultimately separate the wheat from the tares.
Symbolism and Significance of Tares in the Bible
In the Bible, tares are mentioned in a parable told by Jesus, which holds great symbolism and significance in conveying spiritual truths. Let’s explore the meaning of tares and its relevance in the context of the Bible.
1. Tares Represent Evil
Tares are often interpreted as representing evil or those who are opposed to God’s kingdom. In the parable of the wheat and the tares found in Matthew 13:24-30, Jesus explains that tares were sown by the enemy while the wheat was sown by the Son of Man.
Matthew 13:25-26 (NIV)
But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
2. There Will Be Separation
One of the key lessons from the parable of the wheat and tares is that there will be a separation between the righteous and the wicked at the end of time. God’s angels, who serve as harvesters, will gather the tares and burn them.
Matthew 13:30 (NIV)
Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.
3. We Must Be Discerning
Another lesson from the parable is that we must be discerning in recognizing the difference between good and evil. Just as the servants of the landowner were instructed not to pull up the tares along with the wheat, we are called to exercise wisdom and judgment in our interactions.
Matthew 13:28-30 (NIV)
The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them.’
4. The Consequences of Rejecting God
The fate of the tares serves as a warning to those who reject God and choose to live in opposition to His kingdom. The final judgment will involve a separation between the righteous and the wicked, with the latter facing eternal punishment.
Matthew 13:40-42 (NIV)
As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
5. The Importance of Bearing Fruit
Ultimately, the parable of the wheat and tares emphasizes the importance of bearing good fruit as a sign of one’s allegiance to God. While the tares may resemble wheat on the outside, the absence of fruit reveals their true nature.
Matthew 7:17-20 (NIV)
Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
As we reflect on the , may we strive to cultivate a heart that is focused on producing good fruit and remaining faithful to God’s kingdom.
How to Apply the Lesson of Tares to Daily Life
The parable of the tares, found in Matthew 13:24-30, teaches us a valuable lesson about the presence of evil in the world and the importance of discernment in our daily lives. In this parable, Jesus tells of a man who sowed good seed in his field, only to have an enemy come and sow tares among the wheat. When the plants sprouted, the servants noticed the tares and asked the owner if they should pull them up. The owner wisely instructed them to let the tares grow alongside the wheat until the harvest, so as not to damage the good plants in the process.
Applying the Lesson of Tares to Daily Life
1.
Be Discerning
Just as the servants had to discern between the wheat and the tares in the field, we must also be discerning in our daily lives. We must be able to distinguish between what is good and what is evil, what is true and what is false.
Relevant Bible Verses for Discernment:
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Proverbs 2:6:
For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
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Philippians 1:9-10:
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.
2.
Exercise Patience
Just as the owner of the field instructed his servants to wait until the harvest to separate the wheat from the tares, we too must exercise patience in our daily lives. We may encounter situations or people who seem to be causing harm or trouble, but we must trust that God will ultimately bring about justice in His perfect timing.
Relevant Bible Verses for Patience:
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Galatians 6:9:
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
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James 5:7:
Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.
3.
Focus on Personal Growth
Instead of being consumed by the presence of evil or negativity around us, we should focus on our own personal growth and spiritual development. Just as the wheat continues to grow alongside the tares, we should strive to become stronger and more rooted in our faith, regardless of the challenges we face.
Relevant Bible Verses for Personal Growth:
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Colossians 2:6-7:
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
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2 Peter 3:18:
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
In conclusion, the parable of the tares reminds us to be discerning, exercise patience, and focus on personal growth in our daily lives. By applying these lessons, we can navigate the challenges of the world with wisdom and grace, trusting in God’s ultimate plan for justice and redemption.
In conclusion, exploring the concept of a tare in the Bible provides us with a deeper understanding of the spiritual significance and the lessons it can impart to our daily lives. By examining this parable, we are reminded to be discerning in distinguishing between the good and the bad, the genuine and the counterfeit. Just as the farmer sowed his seeds with care and caution, so too should we approach our relationships, decisions, and beliefs with thoughtful consideration. May we strive to cultivate the good within us and root out the tares that threaten to choke our growth. Thank you for joining us on this journey of discovery.