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Matthew 13:25

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 13:25 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares also among the wheat, and went away.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares also among the wheat, and went away.
Matthew 13:25 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 13

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
22And he that was sown among the thorns, this is he that heareth the word; and the care of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
23And he that was sown upon the good ground, this is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; who verily beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
24Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man that sowed good seed in his field:
25but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares also among the wheat, and went away.
26But when the blade sprang up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
27And 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?
28And 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?
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But while men slept, etc.] Good men, ministers, and churches; whose case this sometimes is to be asleep in a spiritual sense: and which sleepiness lies in a non-exercise of grace; in a sluggishness to and in duty; in a contentment in external exercises of religion; in lukewarmness about the cause of Christ; in an unconcernedness about sins of omission and commission; and in a willingness to continue in such a state; and which arises from a body of sin and death; from worldly cares; weariness in spiritual duties; a cessation from spiritual exercises; an absenting from spiritual company; oftentimes from outward ease, peace, and plenty, sometimes from a long expectation of the bridegroom’s…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way--(See on Mat 13:38-39).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The kingdom of heaven is likened ... - That is, the “gospel resembles.” The kingdom of heaven (see the notes at Matthew 3:2) means here the effect of the gospel by its being preached. The meaning of this parable is plain. The field represents the “world,” in which the gospel is preached. The “good seed,” the truths preached by Christ and his apostles. Matthew 13:25 While men slept, his enemy came ... - That is, “in the night,” when it could be done without being seen, an enemy came and scattered bad seed on the new-plowed field, perhaps before the good seed had been harrowed in. Satan thus sows false doctrine in darkness. In the very place where the truth is preached, and while the hearts of…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“But while men slept - They ought to have watched: the Lord of the field sleepeth not. His enemy came and sowed darnel - This is very like wheat, and commonly grows among wheat rather than among other grain: but tares or vetches are of the pulse kind, and bear no resemblance to wheat. Matthew 13:26”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“13:25 Weeds (or tares, bearded darnel) are almost indistinguishable from wheat and so were left until growth revealed their true nature. Malevolent contamination of crops in this manner was punishable by law.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“men: Mat 25:5; Isa 56:9, Isa 56:10; Act 20:30, Act 20:31; Gal 2:4; Ti2 4:3-5; Heb 12:15; Pe2 2:1; Rev 2:20 enemy: Mat 13:39; Co2 11:13-15; Pe1 5:8; Rev 12:9, Rev 13:14 tares: Mat 13:38 Matthew 13:26”
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Related study paths

Read Matthew 13 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification