King James Version

What Does Matthew 13:25 Mean?

Matthew 13:25 in the King James Version says “But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.”

Matthew 13:25 · KJV

Context

23

But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

24

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

25

But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

26

But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

27

So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
While men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat (ἦλθεν αὐτοῦ ὁ ἐχθρὸς καὶ ἐπέσπειρεν ζιζάνια)—zizania refers to bearded darnel (Lolium temulentum), a weed virtually indistinguishable from wheat until grain heads form. The enemy (ὁ ἐχθρός) is Satan (v. 39), who deliberately counterfeits God's work. This isn't accidental contamination but intentional sabotage.

The nighttime sowing emphasizes stealth and evil intent—in Roman law, sowing another's field with weeds was a recognized crime. Satan's tares are false converts, counterfeit Christians who look genuine until tested. The timing while men slept warns against pastoral negligence; false teaching infiltrates when leaders aren't vigilant (Acts 20:28-31). The coexistence of wheat and tares until harvest describes the church age—true and false believers intermixed until final judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Bearded darnel was Palestine's most troublesome agricultural weed, toxic when consumed. Its seeds closely resembled wheat until maturity, making early identification nearly impossible. Roman legal codes included penalties for criminal 'oversowing' of enemy fields with darnel. Jesus's parable reflects real agricultural sabotage, making the illustration immediately comprehensible to farming communities.

Reflection Questions

  1. Where do you see 'tares among wheat'—counterfeit Christians who look genuine but bear bad fruit?
  2. What does 'while men slept' warn church leaders about vigilance against false teaching?
  3. How should knowing tares and wheat coexist until harvest shape your expectations for church purity?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 19 words
ἐν1 of 19

“while”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

δὲ2 of 19

“But”

G1161

but, and, etc

τῷ3 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καθεύδειν4 of 19

“slept”

G2518

to lie down to rest, i.e., (by implication) to fall asleep (literally or figuratively)

τοὺς5 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀνθρώπους6 of 19

“men”

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ἦλθεν7 of 19

“came”

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

αὐτοῦ8 of 19

“his”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὁ9 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐχθρὸς10 of 19

“enemy”

G2190

hateful (passively, odious, or actively, hostile); usually as a noun, an adversary (especially satan)

καὶ11 of 19

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἔσπειρεν12 of 19

“sowed”

G4687

to scatter, i.e., sow (literally or figuratively)

ζιζάνια13 of 19

“tares”

G2215

darnel or false grain

ἀνὰ14 of 19

“among”

G303

properly, up; but (by extension) used (distributively) severally, or (locally) at (etc.)

μέσον15 of 19
G3319

middle (as an adjective or (neuter) noun)

τοῦ16 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σίτου17 of 19

“the wheat”

G4621

grain, especially wheat

καὶ18 of 19

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀπῆλθεν19 of 19

“went his way”

G565

to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 13:25 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 13:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Peter 5:82 Peter 2:1Matthew 13:39Acts 20:30-31Hebrews 12:15Revelation 12:9

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