King James Version

What Does Matthew 13:40 Mean?

Matthew 13:40 in the King James Version says “As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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

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;

39

The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

40

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

41

The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; things: or, scandals

42

And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world (ἐν τῇ συντελείᾳ τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου, en tē synteleía tou aiōnos toutou). The comparison is explicit: just as farmers inevitably separated darnel from wheat at harvest and burned the poisonous weeds, divine judgment will separate false professors from true believers at the eschaton.

The burning is not annihilation but punishment—fire imagery consistently represents conscious judgment in Scripture (v. 42, 50; Matthew 25:41). The aorist passive are gathered (συλλέγεται, syllegetai) emphasizes the thoroughness of the harvest—no tares escape, no wheat is lost. This parable demolishes universalism and challenges easy-believism: not everyone who appears to be 'planted' in the kingdom truly belongs to Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jewish apocalyptic literature of the Second Temple period (200 BC - AD 70) frequently used harvest and fire imagery for final judgment (cf. 4 Ezra, 1 Enoch). Jesus draws on these familiar themes but personalizes them—He is the Lord of the harvest (Matthew 9:38) who will execute judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the inevitability of tare-burning challenge contemporary reluctance to speak of divine judgment?
  2. What distinguishes you as 'wheat' rather than 'tares'—external religious behavior or internal spiritual reality?
  3. How should the certainty of final separation affect your urgency in gospel proclamation?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 16 words
ὥσπερ1 of 16

“As”

G5618

just as, i.e., exactly like

οὖν2 of 16

“therefore”

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

συλλέγεται3 of 16

“are gathered”

G4816

to collect

τὰ4 of 16
G3588

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

ζιζάνια5 of 16

“the tares”

G2215

darnel or false grain

καὶ6 of 16

“and”

G2532

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

πυρὶ7 of 16

“in the fire”

G4442

"fire" (literally or figuratively, specially, lightning)

κατακαίεται8 of 16

“burned”

G2618

to burn down (to the ground), i.e., consume wholly

οὕτως9 of 16

“so”

G3779

in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)

ἔσται10 of 16

“shall it be”

G2071

will be

ἐν11 of 16

“in”

G1722

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

τῇ12 of 16
G3588

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

συντελείᾳ13 of 16

“the end”

G4930

entire completion, i.e., consummation (of a dispensation)

τοῦ14 of 16
G3588

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

αἰῶνος15 of 16

“world”

G165

properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world; specially (jewish) a messianic period (present or future)

τούτου16 of 16

“of this”

G5127

of (from or concerning) this (person or thing)

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 13:40 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 13:40 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 13:39

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