But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

MATTHEW 13:26KJV
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Matthew 13:26 (KJV)

What does Matthew 13:26 mean?

Matthew 13:26 describes how, after the plants began to grow and produce grain, weeds also became visible among them. The verse shows that the difference between the good plants and the weeds only became clear once both had grown enough to reveal their true nature.

In this part of the story, Jesus is telling a parable to a crowd, using the image of a field where both wheat and weeds (tares) were sown. The verse highlights the moment when the results of what was planted are finally seen, making it possible to distinguish between what is good and what is harmful. This sets up the lesson that sometimes, true character or results only become obvious over time.

The Greek behind Matthew 13:26

  • "Tares" (ζιζάνια, zizanion): This Greek word refers to a specific kind of weed, often thought to be darnel, which looks very similar to wheat in its early stages. The similarity makes it hard to tell the difference until both mature, which is key to understanding the parable.
  • "Appeared" (ἐφάνη, ephane): This word means "became visible" or "showed itself." The Greek emphasizes that the weeds were not noticed until the plants had grown, underlining the delayed recognition of what was truly growing in the field.

Why Matthew 13:26 matters

  • Matthew 13:26 clarifies that outward appearances can be deceiving for a time, and only with growth or maturity do real differences show.
  • The verse connects to the larger parable, where Jesus teaches about the presence of both good and evil in the world, and why immediate judgment is not always possible.
  • Understanding the timing of when the tares "appeared" helps explain why the servants in the parable did not notice the problem earlier, highlighting the subtlety of the issue being addressed.

Where else these words appear

“up” Greek G985 · used in 4 verses

  • Mark 4:27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.
  • Hebrews 9:4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
  • James 5:18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

“tares” Greek G2215 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
  • Matthew 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
  • Matthew 13:36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

“blade” Greek G5528 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
  • Luke 12:28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
  • James 1:11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

“appeared” Greek G5316 · used in 31 verses

  • Matthew 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
  • Matthew 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
  • Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;