| The Parable of the Wheat and Tares, Part 1 |
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| Written by David Lawrence |
| Monday, April 02 2007 00:00 |
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One of our subscribers sent us this question, in turn sent to him by another of our subscribers: “Do you have website for commentary you like (i.e.: from Engedi, etc.) to help me interpret Matt. 13 (the parable of the wheat and tares). Looking actually for both sides of this interpretation.” As later translations use the word “weeds” rather than “tares,” I shall use that term in the discussion of this interesting, early parable of Jesus. It is actually one for which Jesus provided an explanation, but I would assume the person asking the question wants to probe deeper into the application and the underlying concepts. Certainly they are there! For that reason, I welcome the opportunity to discuss the parable with all our readers. (I really can’t think of another side of interpretation, so I shall simply set forth what I think Jesus means.) Jesus’ story relates to a familiar agricultural phenomenon in Palestine. There are weeds (tares or darnel) that so resemble wheat when the shoots first come up, it is impossible to distinguish one from the other. By the time that the plants are mature enough to make the distinction between wheat and weeds, there is a danger that one would damage the wheat in pulling out the weeds. All of us who grow flowers or vegetables have experienced this dilemma in “weeding the garden.” We sometimes risk doing damage to our flowers or vegetables when we pull out the weeds. In the case of these weeds, their proximity to the wheat, both in location and appearance, make pulling them out quite difficult, more so than with some weeds with which we may have to deal. Hence Jesus said that they should be left alone until the harvest. At that time the weeds would be pulled out and burned and the wheat alone would remain, ready for the beginning of the process that would turn it into useable bread. But what are the underlying concepts and practical meanings that caused our reader to submit the question? The parable seems to tease us, suggesting that even with Jesus’ explanation we need to do a little thinking. To that we turn in next week’s devotional. |
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