Jesus used another illustration. He said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who planted good seed in his field. ²⁵ But while people were asleep, his enemy planted weeds in the wheat field and went away. ²⁶ When the wheat came up and formed kernels, weeds appeared.
²⁷ “The owner’s workers came to him and asked, ‘Sir, didn’t you plant good seed in your field? Where did the weeds come from?’
²⁸ “He told them, ‘An enemy did this.’
“His workers asked him, ‘Do you want us to pull out the weeds?’
²⁹ “He replied, ‘No. If you pull out the weeds, you may pull out the wheat with them. ³⁰ Let both grow together until the harvest. When the grain is cut, I will tell the workers to gather the weeds first and tie them in bundles to be burned. But I’ll have them bring the wheat into my barn.’”

³⁶When Jesus had sent the people away, he went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain what the illustration of the weeds in the field means.”
³⁷ He answered, “The one who plants the good seeds is the Son of Man. ³⁸ The field is the world. The good seeds are those who belong to the kingdom. The weeds are those who belong to the evil one. ³⁹ The enemy who planted them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world. The workers are angels. ⁴⁰ Just as weeds are gathered and burned, so it will be at the end of time. ⁴¹ The Son of Man will send his angels. They will gather everything in his kingdom that causes people to sin and everyone who does evil. ⁴² The angels will throw them into a blazing furnace. People will cry and be in extreme pain there. ⁴³ Then the people who have God’s approval will shine like the sun in their Father’s kingdom. Let the person who has ears listen!
(Matthew 13:24-30 & 36-43 -- GW)

Photo:  http://www.istockphoto.com/photo/yellow-crop-duster-spraying-the-cornfield-gm92377621-5279443