but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The "enemy" didn't just sow weeds; he sowed them among the wheat, implying a deliberate attempt to mimic and corrupt what was good. And crucially, he "went his way," leaving the insidious work to unfold unseen, much like how subtle lies or negative influences can spread when watchful eyes are absent.
but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is explaining the Parable of the Weeds to his disciples, revealing that the "good seed" represents people of his kingdom and the "weeds" represent those under the influence of the evil one. This act of sowing weeds occurred in the darkness and secrecy of night while the laborers were asleep, highlighting the insidious and deceptive nature of the enemy's work. The parable continues by describing how both the wheat and the weeds are allowed to grow together until the time of harvest, which represents the end of the age.
Ever feel like bad things happen when no one's looking? This parable sheds light on how the enemy operates, even in broad daylight.
This verse highlights the stealth and cunning of the enemy, often called the devil. The act of sowing weeds at night while the workers slept wasn't just a random act; it was strategic.
Secrecy as a Tool
Imagine a farmer's field. The best time for an enemy to cause harm is when vigilance is low. Sowing weeds under the cover of darkness ensures the damage is done before it can be prevented. This mirrors how spiritual deception often works:
What looks like the real thing can sometimes be dangerous. This parable's 'weeds' offer a powerful picture of deception.
The 'weeds' mentioned here aren't just any unwanted plants; they are specifically described as having a strong resemblance to wheat while growing. This makes them incredibly difficult to distinguish from the genuine crop.
The Danger of Resemblance
This similarity is key to the parable's meaning:
Ask a follow-up
Why would an enemy sow something destructive and then just walk away? There's a chilling effectiveness in this simple act.
The phrase 'and went his way' might seem anticlimactic, but it's deeply significant. It implies the enemy's work is done; the seed of destruction is planted, and he can now rely on the natural environment and human nature for it to grow.
Leaving the Damage to Spread
This departure highlights:
Understand the original words
echthros · Greek Noun
One who is hostile, an adversary, or a personal opponent. In a theological sense, it often refers to Satan or those who oppose God's purposes.
zizanion · Greek Noun
A plant often identified as darnel, which resembles wheat in its early stages but is inedible or poisonous. It serves as a symbol for false believers or the influence of evil introduced into the world.
This parable draws on a specific agricultural practice and the properties of a noxious weed common in the ancient Near East, illustrating how evil can deceptively infiltrate and harm even the purest environments.
c. 1st century AD— this verse
Malicious Sowing of Weeds
In ancient Near Eastern culture, it was a known act of malice for an enemy to secretly sow poisonous weeds among a neighbor's crops, often at night.
c. 1st century AD
The Darnel Weed's Deception
The weed known as darnel (Lolium temulentum) closely resembled wheat in its early growth stages, making it difficult to distinguish and remove.
c. 1st century AD
Darnel's Noxious Effects
The seeds of darnel were not just useless but poisonous, causing dizziness, sickness, and sometimes death if mixed with the wheat grain.
c. 1st century AD
Difficulty of Separation
Due to the similarity in growth and intertwined roots, the weeds could not be easily separated from the wheat without damaging the good crop, often requiring them to grow until harvest.
This passage describes the serpent, an enemy, introducing corruption and deception into God's good creation while humanity was in a vulnerable state, paralleling the enemy's subtle sowing of weeds while the servants slept.
1 John 3:8This verse directly states that the devil's purpose is to destroy the works of God, which aligns perfectly with the enemy's malicious act of sowing weeds to corrupt the good crop.
Galatians 5:19-21The 'acts of the flesh' mentioned here are like the 'weeds' sown by the enemy, representing corrupting influences that hinder spiritual growth and bear harmful fruit, contrasting with the 'fruit of the Spirit'.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15This passage warns about 'false apostles' who disguise themselves as servants of Christ, highlighting how the enemy works through deceptive means to infiltrate and corrupt the true community, much like sowing weeds among wheat.
1 Peter 5:8This verse calls believers to be alert and sober because their 'adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour,' emphasizing the constant danger and vigilance needed against the enemy's insidious attacks.
barnesMatthew 13:25: "But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way."
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 people are open to receive it, by false but plausible teachers…
vincentMatthew 13:25: "But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way."
Sowed (ἐπέσπειρεν)The preposition ἐπί, upon, indicates sowing over what was previously sown. Rev., "sowed also."
The "enemy" didn't just sow weeds; he sowed them among the wheat, implying a deliberate attempt to mimic and corrupt what was good. And crucially, he "went his way," leaving the insidious work to unfold unseen, much like how subtle lies or negative influences can spread when watchful eyes are absent.
Jesus is explaining the Parable of the Weeds to his disciples, revealing that the "good seed" represents people of his kingdom and the "weeds" represent those under the influence of the evil one. This act of sowing weeds occurred in the darkness and secrecy of night while the laborers were asleep, highlighting the insidious and deceptive nature of the enemy's work. The parable continues by describing how both the wheat and the weeds are allowed to grow together until the time of harvest, which represents the end of the age.
Jesus is explaining the Parable of the Weeds to his disciples, revealing that the "good seed" represents people of his kingdom and the "weeds" represent those under the influence of the evil one. This act of sowing weeds occurred in the darkness and secrecy of night while the laborers were asleep, highlighting the insidious and deceptive nature of the enemy's work. The parable continues by describing how both the wheat and the weeds are allowed to grow together until the time of harvest, which represents the end of the age.
"but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away." — The "enemy" didn't just sow weeds; he sowed them among the wheat, implying a deliberate attempt to mimic and corrupt what was good. And crucially, he "went his way," leaving the insidious work to u…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026