Matthew Henry Commentary Matthew 13:24-30

"Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man that sowed good seed in his field: but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares also among the wheat, and went away. But when the blade sprang up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. And the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? whence then hath it tares? And he said unto them, An enemy hath done this. And the servants say unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he saith, Nay; lest haply while ye gather up the tares, ye root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather up first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn." — Matthew 13:24-30 (ASV)

Regarding verses 36-43, this parable represents the present and future state of the gospel church: Christ's care for it, the devil's enmity against it, the mixture of good and bad within it in this world, and the separation between them in the world to come. Fallen man is so prone to sin that if the enemy sows the tares, he can simply go his way, as they will spring up and cause harm; whereas, when good seed is sown, it must be tended, watered, and protected. The servants complained to their master: Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field?

No doubt he did; whatever is amiss in the church, we are sure it does not come from Christ. Although flagrant transgressors and those who openly oppose the gospel should be separated from the community of the faithful, no human skill can make a perfect separation. Those who oppose must not be cut off but instructed, and that with meekness. And although good and bad are together in this world, yet at the great day they will be parted. Then the righteous and the wicked will be plainly known; in this world, it is sometimes hard to distinguish between them.

Let us, knowing the terrors of the Lord, not commit iniquity. At death, believers will shine forth to themselves; at the great day, they will shine forth before all the world. They will shine by reflection, with light borrowed from the Fountain of Light. Their sanctification will be made perfect, and their justification will be declared.

May we be found among that happy number.