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Matthew 13 · a question people ask

Jesus says, "the darnel weeds are the children of the evil one" (13:38). Who are they?

In the text

Jesus doesn't name anyone. Here is what he says about them. In the parable an enemy sowed them "while people slept" (13:25), and "when the blade sprang up and produced grain, then the darnel weeds appeared also" (13:26). The householder wouldn't have them gathered up before the harvest, "lest perhaps while you gather up the darnel weeds, you root up the wheat with them" (13:29). In his explanation, "the darnel weeds are the children of the evil one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil." (13:38-39). "As therefore the darnel weeds are gathered up and burned with fire; so will it be at the end of this age" (13:40) (tap end). Jesus gives no names, and these notes name no one, then or now.

The verses

“the field is the world, the good seeds are the children of the Kingdom, and the darnel weeds are the children of the evil one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. As therefore the darnel weeds are gathered up and burned with fire; so will it be at the end of this age.”
Matthew 13:38-40 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Matthew 13

Matthew 13: Treasure hidden in the field

In Matthew's telling of the farmer's parable, the one sown by the roadside "doesn’t understand" the word (13:19), and the one sown on the good ground "understands it" (13:23). And when the parables are over, Jesus asks, "Have you understood all these things?" (13:51).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions