Topical Bible: Herbs: Tares or Darnel

◄ Herbs: Tares or Darnel ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Tares, often identified with the plant known as darnel (Lolium temulentum), are mentioned in the Bible primarily in the context of the Parable of the Weeds, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. This parable, spoken by Jesus, uses the imagery of tares to convey spiritual truths about the kingdom of heaven and the final judgment.

Biblical References:

1. Matthew 13:24-30 : In this parable, Jesus describes a man who sows good seed in his field. However, while everyone is sleeping, an enemy comes and sows tares among the wheat. As the plants grow, the servants notice the tares and ask the owner if they should pull them up. The owner instructs them to let both grow together until the harvest, at which time the reapers will gather the tares first to be burned, and then gather the wheat into the barn. This parable illustrates the coexistence of good and evil in the world and the ultimate separation that will occur at the end of the age.

2. Matthew 13:36-43 : Jesus later explains the parable to His disciples, identifying the sower as the Son of Man, the field as the world, the good seed as the sons of the kingdom, and the tares as the sons of the evil one. The enemy who sows the tares is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age. The reapers are angels who will gather the tares to be burned, symbolizing the fate of the wicked, while the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient agriculture, darnel was a common weed that closely resembled wheat in its early stages of growth. This similarity made it difficult to distinguish between the two until the plants matured. Darnel is a toxic plant that can cause harm if consumed, which adds to the severity of the imagery used in the parable. The presence of darnel in a wheat field would have been a significant concern for farmers, as it could ruin the crop and reduce the harvest's value.

Theological Significance:

The parable of the tares serves as a profound teaching on the nature of the kingdom of God and the reality of spiritual warfare. It emphasizes the patience and sovereignty of God, who allows both the righteous and the wicked to coexist until the appointed time of judgment. The imagery of tares being gathered and burned highlights the certainty of divine justice and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom.

The parable also serves as a warning to believers to remain vigilant and discerning, recognizing that not all who appear to be part of the kingdom truly belong to it. It calls for a life of faithfulness and perseverance, trusting in God's timing and His ultimate plan for redemption and judgment.

Practical Application:

For Christians, the parable of the tares encourages a focus on personal spiritual growth and the pursuit of righteousness, while also fostering a spirit of patience and grace towards others. It reminds believers of the importance of discernment and the need to rely on God's wisdom in distinguishing between true and false teachings and influences within the church and the world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 13:30
Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather you together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

New Teaching in Parables' - the Parables to the People by the Lake ...
... is botanically known as the bearded Darnel' (Lolium temulentum ... of His Kingdom, and
that he had sowed those tares. ... the garden with its growing herbs, bushes and ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxiii new teaching in.htm

The Germination of the Earth.
... development, as well corn as vegetables, herbs or brushwood ... As to the darnel and
all those bastard grains ... mix themselves with the harvest, the tares of Scripture ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily v the germination of.htm

Revelation of Moses.
... Why eatest thou of the tares [2463] of Adam and ... paradise, and they brought many
sweet-smelling herbs, and laid ... the zaw?�n of the Arabs, was darnel; but, from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/revelation of moses/revelation of moses.htm

Book I.
... while the householder slept, an enemy sowed tares, and that ... night scatters in the
Lord's field darnel and wild ... also eat the Passover with bitter herbs, and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book i.htm