Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

MATTHEW 13:30KJV
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Matthew 13:30 (KJV)

What does Matthew 13:30 mean?

Matthew 13:30 describes how both the wheat and the tares (weeds) are to be allowed to grow together until the harvest, at which time the reapers will first gather the tares to be burned and then gather the wheat into the barn. This verse uses the image of a harvest to show that judgment and separation will come at a set time, not before.

In this passage, Jesus is speaking to a crowd, telling a parable about a farmer whose field contains both good wheat and unwanted tares. The farmer instructs his workers not to pull up the tares immediately, but to wait until harvest so the separation can be done properly. The verse highlights patience and the idea that final judgment belongs to God, not people.

The Greek behind Matthew 13:30

  • "Tares" (ζιζάνια, zizanía): This word refers to a specific kind of weed that looks very similar to wheat when young, making it hard to distinguish between the two until they mature. This detail sharpens the parable’s point about why separation must wait.
  • "Harvest" (θερισμός, therismós): The Greek word for harvest often carries the sense of a decisive, final gathering. Here, it emphasizes that the sorting will happen at a specific, appointed time.
  • "Bind" (δέω, deō): The instruction to bind the tares in bundles before burning shows an orderly, deliberate process, not a hasty or careless one.
  • "Barn" (ἀποθήκη, apothēkē): The barn is a place of safety and storage, highlighting the care given to the wheat as it is gathered in.

Why Matthew 13:30 matters

  • Matthew 13:30 clarifies that immediate judgment or removal of the "tares" is not the approach Jesus teaches; instead, there is a period of waiting until the right time.
  • The verse emphasizes that distinguishing between true and false, or good and bad, is not always possible or wise before the final "harvest," reminding readers of human limitations.
  • This verse connects to the larger message of the parable, which is about the kingdom of heaven and how God's timing and judgment differ from human expectations.

Where else these words appear

“reapers” Greek G2327 · used in 2 verses

  • Matthew 13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

“barn” Greek G596 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
  • Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
  • Luke 12:18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

“harvest” Greek G2326 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
  • Matthew 13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
  • Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

“together” Greek G4816 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
  • Matthew 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
  • Matthew 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;