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Study Guide

 

1. Read the chapter heading for Matthew 13. How many parables are included in this chapter? Where was Jesus when he delivered these parables? Which parable directly preceded the parable of the wheat and the tares?

 

 

2. To what did Jesus compare the kingdom of heaven in Matthew 13:24?

 

 

3. Read Matthew 13:25-30, with footnotes 25a and 30b. Also, look up "Tares" in the Bible Dictionary or any good dictionary. Are tares benign weeds? What might the tares in this parable represent? Was there anything the man who sowed good seed could have done to prevent them?

 

 

4. Why didn't the man who planted good seed want his servants to eradicate the tares as soon as they were discovered? What did Jesus do before he explained this parable?

 

 

5. Now read Matthew 13:37-43. Make a chart or list to show the Savior's interpretation of this parable. For example:

He that sows good seed =

The field =

The good seed =

The tares = 

The enemy =

The harvest =

The reapers =

 

 

6. Read JST Matthew 13:39-44. What is meant by "the end of the world"? Who are the reaping angels? How can we help with both the sowing and the harvesting?

 

 

7. Read Doctrine and Covenants 86:1-7. According to this revelation, which is gathered first in our day, the wheat or the tares? (See also D&C 101:64-67.) What do we learn about the adversary from this parable?

The Wheat and the Tares

 Matthew 13:24-30, 37-43; JST Matthew 13:39-44; D&C 38:11-12, 86:1-7, 101:64-67
 

James Tissot

Articles/ Media Related to this Parable

 

"Behold, The Enemy Is Combined," Neal A. Maxwell, April 1993

 

"The Devil's Throat," James E. Faust, April 2003

 

"For Whatsoever a Man Shall Sow, That Shall He Also Reap," L. Tom Perry, October 1980

From the Institute Manual:

(10-9) Matthew 13:29, 30, 38. Do the Tares Represent Wickedness outside the Church or among Church Members Themselves?

“Now we learn by this parable, not only the setting up of the Kingdom inthe days of the Savior, which is represented by the good 

seed, which produced fruit, but also the corruptions of the Church, which are represented by the tares, which were sown by the 

enemy, which His disciples would fain have plucked up, or cleansed the Church of, if their views had been favored by the Savior. But He, knowing all things, says, Not so. As much as to say, your views are not correct, the Church is in its infancy, and if you take this rash step, you will destroy the wheat, or the Church, with the tares; therefore it is better to let them grow together until the harvest, or 

the end of the world, which means the destruction ofthe wicked. …” (Smith, Teachings, pp. 97–98. Italics added.)

 

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