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;
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀγρός
The field
G68
ἀγρός
The field
Strong's:
G68
Word #:
3 of 24
a field (as a drive for cattle); genitive case, the country; specially, a farm, i.e., hamlet
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κόσμος
the world
G2889
κόσμος
the world
Strong's:
G2889
Word #:
6 of 24
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καλὸν
the good
G2570
καλὸν
the good
Strong's:
G2570
Word #:
9 of 24
properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e., valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished
σπέρμα
seed
G4690
σπέρμα
seed
Strong's:
G4690
Word #:
10 of 24
something sown, i.e., seed (including the male "sperm"); by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant (figuratively, as if kept over for planting)
οὗτοί
are
G3778
οὗτοί
are
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
11 of 24
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱοὶ
the children
G5207
υἱοὶ
the children
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
14 of 24
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βασιλείας·
of the kingdom
G932
βασιλείας·
of the kingdom
Strong's:
G932
Word #:
16 of 24
properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱοὶ
the children
G5207
υἱοὶ
the children
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
22 of 24
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
Cross References
John 8:44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.Acts 13:10And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?Genesis 3:15And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.Matthew 13:19When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.James 1:18Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.1 Peter 1:23Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Historical Context
In first-century Palestinian agriculture, darnel was a common weed problem—its seeds were poisonous, and it was virtually indistinguishable from wheat in early growth stages. Separating them prematurely would uproot both. Roman law even prohibited sowing darnel in an enemy's field, showing this was a known form of agricultural sabotage.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding the 'field' as the world (not the church) affect your expectations for spiritual purity in Christian communities?
- What are the dangers of premature 'tare removal'—both in church discipline and in personal judgment of others?
- How can you cultivate discernment between wheat and tares without falling into judgmental pride or paranoid suspicion?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The field is the world (ὁ δὲ ἀγρός ἐστιν ὁ κόσμος, ho de agros estin ho kosmos)—not merely the church, but the entire created order where believers and unbelievers coexist. The good seed are the children of the kingdom (υἱοὶ τῆς βασιλείας, huioi tēs basileias)—those who belong to God's reign through new birth. The tares are the children of the wicked one (υἱοὶ τοῦ πονηροῦ, huioi tou ponērou)—literally 'sons of the evil one,' identifying spiritual parentage (John 8:44).
The distinction between wheat and tares (likely darnel, Lolium temulentum, which looks identical to wheat until maturity) illustrates the impossibility of perfect human discernment in distinguishing true from false professors. This warns against premature judgmental purging of the church, while also soberly acknowledging that counterfeit 'believers' exist alongside genuine ones.