Devine Scripture

Matthew 13:25

What does Matthew 13:25 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 13:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 13:25 means

Verse 25 introduces the problem: while men slept, an enemy sowed tares among the wheat. The surreptitious planting pictures how evil infiltrates the world after the kingdom has begun. The owner’s servants were unaware—‘while men slept’ suggests vulnerability or inattentiveness. The verse highlights the reality of spiritual sabotage: the kingdom and its enemies coexist until God’s appointed time. It prompts patience and trust in rightful timing rather than rash separation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares also among the wheat, and went away.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares also among the wheat, and went away.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But while men were sleeping, one who had hate for him came and put evil seeds among the grain, and went away.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and, while men are sleeping, his enemy came and sowed darnel in the midst of the wheat, and went away,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But while men were asleep, his enemy came and oversowed cockle among the wheat and went his way.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed darnel amongst the wheat, and went away.

Context

This verse follows the setup of the good-sower parable and explains how corruption appears inside the field. It begins the conflict that prompts the servants’ question and the owner’s measured response, underscoring the theme of mixed presence of good and evil until harvest.

v.24Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man that sowed good seed in his field:

v.25This passage

v.26But when the blade sprang up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 25:5

    Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

  • 2 Timothy 4:3

    For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts;

  • Galatians 2:4

    and that because of the false brethren privily brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

  • Hebrews 12:15

    looking carefully lestthere beany man that falleth short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby the many be defiled;

  • Acts 20:30

    and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

  • Matthew 13:39

    and the enemy that sowed them is the devil: and the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are angels.

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