The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares Explained

36 Then Jesus left the crowds and went into [fn]the house, and his disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.” 37 He answered [fn]them, “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom. The tares are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Therefore, just as the tares are gathered and burned with fire, so it will be at the end of [fn]this age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all stumbling blocks and those who practice lawlessness. 42 They will throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears [fn]to hear, let him hear.