Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 13:38

"and the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil [one];" — Matthew 13:38 (ASV)

On “Son of Man,” see comment on Mk 8:31. Jesus is the one who both sows the good seed and directs the harvest. One of the most significant details in the parables is the way key images that in the OT apply exclusively to God, or occasionally to God’s Messiah, now stand for Jesus himself. These images include sower, director of the harvest, rock, shepherd, bridegroom, father, giver of forgiveness, vineyard owner, lord, and king.

“The field is the world” (not to be confused with the church). This brief statement presupposes a mission beyond Israel (cf. 10:16–18; 28:18–20) and confirms that the narrower command of 10:5–6 is related exclusively to the mission of the Twelve during the period of Jesus’ earthly ministry (see comment on 10:5b–6).

In this parable and its interpretation, unlike the parable of the sower, the good seed stands for the “sons of the kingdom” (cf. comment on 5:9)—a healthy reminder that images can symbolize different things in different contexts. It refers to those who truly are the objects of messianic favor and participants in the messianic kingdom. For their sake the “weeds” are now preserved, and at the “harvest” for their sake the “weeds” will be destroyed. These weeds are “the sons of the evil one.” The devil himself is the enemy (v.39); the harvest is the end of the age ; and the harvesters are angels (24:30–31; 25:31).