Matthew 13:40
As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
Original Language Analysis
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 16
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πυρὶ
in the fire
G4442
πυρὶ
in the fire
Strong's:
G4442
Word #:
7 of 16
"fire" (literally or figuratively, specially, lightning)
κατακαίεται
burned
G2618
κατακαίεται
burned
Strong's:
G2618
Word #:
8 of 16
to burn down (to the ground), i.e., consume wholly
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συντελείᾳ
the end
G4930
συντελείᾳ
the end
Strong's:
G4930
Word #:
13 of 16
entire completion, i.e., consummation (of a dispensation)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the inevitability of tare-burning challenge contemporary reluctance to speak of divine judgment?
- What distinguishes you as 'wheat' rather than 'tares'—external religious behavior or internal spiritual reality?
- How should the certainty of final separation affect your urgency in gospel proclamation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.