Weeds and Tares

As I explained last week, I want to take a small “rabbit trail” from our series on the parable of sower. Last week in the parable of the sower we compared the King James Version with the modern Passion Translation in examining the third type of soil. The KJV used the word thorns and TPT used the word weeds. Which was correct?? The short answer is both. In fact, upon closer inspection, the Greek word used there actually means a thorny weed. This describes a heart condition that has both short and long term negative effects.

As previously mentioned, this week I wish to take a brief “rabbit trail” from our study and compare it to another one of Jesus’ parables found exclusively in Matthew 13:24-30 and 34-43. This descriptive story also uses an agricultural theme, but the metaphors are describing different things.
Unlike last week, the use of the word weeds in the newer translations completely misses a very important aspect of the original language word which means “false grain.” This false grain or tare is very difficult to distinguish from the authentic wheat seed until harvest time. It looks exactly the same to the natural eye. The use of the word tare in the old King James is imperative for complete understanding of this story.
It is also significant to mention that this parable is only found in Matthew’s gospel. May we be reminded that it is the glory of God to conceal a matter, and the glory of Kings to search it out. This is one to dissect and ponder! 🤔🤔

Scriptures- Matthew 13:24-30 KJV
Matthew 13:34-43 KJV