New Testament
Matthew 13:30
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Let them both grow together until harvest time. Then I'll tell the harvesters: First, collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned. Then gather the wheat into my barn.'"
Compare translations
Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
What Matthew 13:30 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jesus uses a farming metaphor to explain the coexistence of good and evil in the world. The wheat represents the righteous, while the weeds (or tares) symbolize the wicked. The instruction to let them grow together until harvest time suggests that judgment will come at the end of the age. The harvesters, representing divine judgment, will first gather the weeds to be burned, indicating the fate of the unrighteous. This illustrates the patience of God, allowing time for repentance and growth, but also the certainty of eventual separation and judgment. The imagery of gathering the wheat into the barn signifies the reward and safety of the faithful. This parable reassures believers that justice will ultimately prevail, and they will be gathered into God's kingdom.
How to apply Matthew 13:30 to your life
This verse encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith, even when surrounded by negativity or wrongdoing. It reminds us that God is in control and will ultimately bring justice. We should focus on our growth and trust in God's timing for judgment.
Curated for this public verse page. Matthew Summary
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Jesus's story: Parables by the Sea (Matthew 13:1–52)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Jesus
Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002724966). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Bethlehem, West Bank; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Bethlehem
David's hometown, and the town where Jesus was born.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Matthew 13:30
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Matthew 13:30
Related Bible verses
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Matthew
- Author
- Matthew the apostle
- Written
- Around AD 60-70
- Genre
- Gospel
- Original Audience
- Jewish Christians
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Matthew 13:30 mean?
Matthew 13:30 uses a farming metaphor to illustrate the coexistence of good and evil in the world. The wheat symbolizes the righteous, while the weeds represent the wicked, emphasizing that judgment will occur at the end of time.
What is the meaning of the harvest in Matthew 13:30?
In Matthew 13:30, the harvest represents the time of divine judgment when God will separate the righteous from the wicked. The gathering of wheat into the barn signifies the reward for the faithful, while the burning of the weeds indicates the fate of the unrighteous.
What do the weeds represent in Matthew 13:30?
In Matthew 13:30, the weeds, or tares, symbolize the wicked or unrighteous individuals in the world. They are destined for judgment and separation from the righteous at the end of the age.
How does Matthew 13:30 relate to patience?
Matthew 13:30 highlights God's patience by allowing both the righteous and the wicked to grow together until the harvest. This suggests that there is time for repentance and growth before the final judgment occurs.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.