Matthew 13:38

The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

Matthew 13:38 (KJV)

Context

Matthew 13:38 comes from Jesus’ private explanation of the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43). After speaking to the crowds in parables, Jesus withdrew with His disciples and interpreted the symbols for them. The verse identifies the field as the world, the good seed as the children of the kingdom, and the tares as the children of the wicked one.

Meaning

The field is the world, not merely the land of Judea or the church, but the whole world into which the apostles were later sent with the Gospel. The good seed are the children of the kingdom—those who belong to God’s kingdom through faith in Christ and are true believers, followers of Jesus. The tares are weeds that resemble wheat but are not productive; they symbolize the children of the wicked one, those who do not belong to God’s kingdom and follow the evil one, Satan.

As the wheat and the tares grow together, it becomes difficult to distinguish them. The owner of the field, representing God, instructs his servants not to uproot the tares immediately lest the wheat be uprooted with them. This indicates that in the present world the righteous and the unrighteous will coexist, and it is not always easy to identify who belongs to God’s kingdom. The church on earth is a mixed body, containing both true believers and false professors, and the final separation will occur at the end of the age, not before.

Biblical connections

The phrase “children of the kingdom” echoes the Old Testament concept of Israel as God’s children, but here it is applied to all who belong to Christ’s kingdom, both Jew and Gentile. The “wicked one” is Satan, the adversary of God and His people, who actively sows evil among the good. At the time of harvest, the reapers gather the tares first to burn them, then gather the wheat into the owner’s barn. This points to the final judgment when God will separate the righteous from the wicked; the wicked will face eternal punishment, while the righteous will inherit eternal life in God’s kingdom.

Application

The parable teaches several spiritual lessons. It emphasizes the reality of evil and counterfeit believers within the world, cautions against premature judgment that could harm true believers, and assures that God knows the true nature of every person and will judge everyone in due time. It reminds believers that evil may infiltrate the church, calling for discernment and vigilance against false teachings.

Patience and trust are highlighted as the owner exercises patience in the growth process; likewise believers should trust in God’s sovereignty and timing, confident that He will ultimately separate wheat from tares and bring justice. As children of the kingdom, our focus should be on producing good fruit, living righteously, and making a positive impact that reflects Christ’s character. The parable also underscores the importance of evangelism and discipleship—sowing the seed of the Gospel and making disciples to advance the growth of God’s kingdom.

Reflection

Matthew 13:38 teaches the coexistence of the righteous and the wicked in the world, points to the final judgment when God will separate them, and encourages discernment, patience, and a focus on fruitfulness in the lives of children of the kingdom. Believers are called to persevere in faith, knowing that God will ultimately vindicate His people.