Overview
In Matthew 13, Jesus describes a farmer who sowed good seed in his field, but an enemy sowed tares (weeds) among the wheat while people slept. The servants asked whether to pull up the tares, but the master instructed them to let both grow together until harvest, lest they uproot the wheat. At harvest time, the tares will be gathered and burned, while the wheat will be gathered into the barn.
Key Scriptures
"The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went away" (Matthew 13:24-25, NASB).
"Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, 'First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn'" (Matthew 13:30, NASB).
"The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and will throw them into the furnace of fire" (Matthew 13:41-42, NASB).
Application
This parable encourages believers to trust God's timing in judgment rather than taking matters into their own hands regarding false professors in the church.