Matthew 13:40

As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

Matthew 13:40 (KJV)

Context

This verse is part of Jesus’ explanation of the parable of the wheat and the tares, which He told to a crowd by the seaside. In the parable, recorded in Matthew 13:24-30, a man sows good wheat in his field, but an enemy sows weeds among the wheat. The servants ask if they should pull up the weeds, but the owner says to let both grow together until the harvest, when the reapers will first gather the weeds to be burned and then bring the wheat into the barn.

Meaning

In Matthew 13:40, Jesus applies that imagery directly to the end of the age. The “tares” are darnel, a weed that closely resembles wheat and is difficult to distinguish from the true crop until harvest. They represent those who oppose or undermine the kingdom of God, including hypocritical and heretical men who appear among the saints. Just as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this world.

The phrase “end of this world” is also rendered “end of the age” in many translations, indicating the close of the present age. Jesus is describing a final separation between the righteous and the wicked. The wicked will be gathered out and face judgment, experiencing the consequences of their actions, while the righteous are preserved. This verse highlights the certainty of a future reckoning and the importance of living in accordance with God’s will.

Application

This verse serves as a sober reminder that the present mixture of good and evil in the world is temporary. Believers are called to persevere in faithfulness, knowing that God will one day bring about a complete and final separation. The certainty of that judgment encourages us to align our lives with God’s righteousness and to trust His justice, even when evil seems to flourish alongside good.