Bible Questions and Answers

Can you explain Matthew 13:39?

Matthew 13:36-43 (Please click the reference to read the passage)

The tares in the parable represent ‘the sons of the wicked one’ (v.38).

Using Strong’s Concordance: wicked one <4190> πονηρός poneros Translated in the KJV – ‘evil’ 51 times, ‘wicked’ 10 times, ‘wicked one’ 6 times, ‘evil things’ 2 times, misc 7 times.This connects us with what Jesus says to the scribes and Pharisees: John 8:41,44

The first murderer and liar in the Bible was Cain. Thus, the scribes and Pharisees were the spiritual (not literal) sons of Cain. This they subsequently proved to be when they murdered Jesus – a repeat of what Cain had done to Abel.

The enemy who sowed these men is the devil. The devil is the New Testament personification of the propensity to sin within all mankind. Mark 7:18-23

The tares represent those men and women who are governed by their own desires rather than the commandments of Jesus Christ.

The Church (ecclesia – congregation) down the ages will consist of both genuine believers and counterfeit believers, which will be sorted out at the judgment when Jesus returns.

I hope you find this helpful.

God bless,
Glenn