NOTES for Mat 13:24-43

Another absurd story from the world of agriculture! Every one of Jesus' listeners knows perfectly well that weeds must be pulled as early as possible, before they draw the nourishment from the useful grain, especially since an experienced farmer has little difficulty telling one from the other. But, as you have probably guessed, the absurdity of this parable's content is precisely intended to show the listeners how unlike human judgment is to God's. Even the angelic “reapers” are unable to distinguish weed from wheat in this field of human lives. Many “good people” would undoubtedly like to rid themselves once and for all of the “bad people” who prevent them from living a full life. But weeding can destroy the grain, which means that there is no clear distinction between “good” and “bad” people: the first may become last, and vice versa.