Matthew 13:26

English Revised Version

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

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
When the plants sprouted and produced grain, then the weeds also appeared.

King James Version (1611)
But when the blade was sprung vp, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

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

English Standard Version
So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also.

New American Standard Bible
"And when the wheat sprouted and produced grain, then the weeds also became evident.

New Century Version
Later, the wheat sprouted and the heads of grain grew, but the weeds also grew.

Amplified Bible
"So when the plants sprouted and formed grain, the weeds appeared also.

Geneva Bible (1587)
And when the blade was sprong vp, and brought forth fruite, then appeared the tares also.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
"But when the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also.

Legacy Standard Bible
But when the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also.

Berean Standard Bible
When the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the weeds also appeared.

Contemporary English Version
When the plants came up and began to ripen, the farmer's servants could see the weeds.

Complete Jewish Bible
When the wheat sprouted and formed heads of grain, the weeds also appeared.

Darby Translation
But when the blade shot up and produced fruit, then appeared the darnel also.

Easy-to-Read Version
Later, the wheat grew, and heads of grain grew on the plants. But at the same time the weeds also grew.

George Lamsa Translation
But when the blade sprang up and bore fruit, then the tares also appeared.

Good News Translation
When the plants grew and the heads of grain began to form, then the weeds showed up.

Lexham English Bible
So when the wheat sprouted and yielded grain, then the darnel appeared also.

Literal Translation
And when the blade sprouted and produced fruit, then the darnel also appeared.

American Standard Version
But when the blade sprang up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

Bible in Basic English
But when the green stem came up and gave fruit, the evil plants were seen at the same time.

Hebrew Names Version
But when the blade sprang up and brought forth fruit, then the darnel appeared also.

International Standard Version
When the crop came up and bore grain, the weeds appeared, too.

Etheridge Translation
And when the plant sprang up and produced fruit, then appeared the zizania.

Murdock Translation
And when the plant shot up and bore fruits, then appeared also the tares.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
But when the blade was sprong vp, and had brought foorth fruite, then appeared the tares also.

World English Bible
But when the blade sprang up and brought forth fruit, then the darnel appeared also.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And when the blade was sprung up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the darnel also.

Weymouth's New Testament
But when the blade shoots up and the grain is formed, then appears the darnel also.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
But whanne the erbe was growed, and made fruyt, thanne the taris apperiden.

Update Bible Version
But when the blade sprang up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

Webster's Bible Translation
But when the blade had sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

New English Translation
When the plants sprouted and bore grain, then the weeds also appeared.

New King James Version
But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared.

New Living Translation
When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew.

New Life Bible
When the good seed started to grow and give grain, weeds came up also.

New Revised Standard
So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And, when the blade shot up, and brought forth, fruit, then, appeared, the darnel also.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And when the blade was sprung up, and had brought forth fruit, then appeared also the cockle.

Revised Standard Version
So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
When ye blade was sproge vp and had brought forth frute the appered ye tares also.

Young's Literal Translation
and when the herb sprang up, and yielded fruit, then appeared also the darnel.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Now wha the blade was sproge vp & brought forth frute, the ye tares appeared also.

Mace New Testament (1729)
but when the blade was sprung up, and bore grain, the tares appeared too.

Simplified Cowboy Version
When calving time came, some of the cows produced fine, pure-bred Angus calves. But some cows produced an ugly, scrawny calf not worth nothing.

Contextual Overview

²⁴ Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man that sowed good seed in his field: ²⁵ but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares also among the wheat, and went away. ²⁶ But when the blade sprang up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. ²⁷ And the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? whence then hath it tares? ²⁸ And he said unto them, An enemy hath done this. And the servants say unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? ²⁹ But he saith, Nay; lest haply while ye gather up the tares, ye root up the wheat with them. ³⁰ Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather up first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. ³¹ Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: ³² which indeed is less than all seeds; but when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the heaven come and lodge in the branches thereof. ³³ Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till it was all leavened.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Mark 4:26-29

Reciprocal: Matthew 13:47 - and gathered Mark 4:3 - there Mark 4:28 - blade

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But when the blade was sprung up,.... That is, the blade of the wheat; which designs the taking up, a profession of religion on principles of grace, called a profession of faith; and when right, it springs up from, and proceeds upon a work begun in the heart: and such a profession ought to be made by all that are partakers of the grace of God; and ought to be made both verbally, by a confession of the mouth, and a declaration of the work of God upon the heart, and by deeds, by submitting to the ordinances of the Gospel; and should be sincere, and from the heart, and be visible to men, and be held fast unto the end without wavering.

And brought forth fruit; which intends not the conversion of sinners, nor the performance of duties, nor the perfection of grace, but the first appearances of grace under a profession, such as sorrow for sin, after a godly sort, fear and reverence of God, great humility, much self-denial, ardent love to Christ, pantings and breathings after him, and communion with him, strong affection for the people of God, some exercise of faith on Christ, zeal for his cause and interest, and a concern to honour and glorify God.

Then appeared the tares also. They were not discernible for some time when they were first sown; they looked like good seed when they first appeared among the people of God; they seemed to have the truth of grace, as others had; their blade of profession, when it sprung up, looked like that of true wheat; but were now discernible both by their unfruitfulness in their lives and conversations, and by their bad principles, which they now endeavoured to spread, to the hurt of the churches where they were: they always appeared to be what they were to God the searcher of hearts; but now, through the zeal of true converts, to which these opposed themselves, and the fruitfulness of their lives, from which they were so very different, they became manifest to ministers and churches.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The kingdom of heaven is likened ... - That is, the “gospel resembles.” The kingdom of heaven (see the notes at Matthew 3:2) means here the effect of the gospel by its being preached. The meaning of this parable is plain. The field represents the “world,” in which the gospel is preached. The “good seed,” the truths preached by Christ and his apostles.

Matthew 13:25

While men slept, his enemy came ... - That is, “in the night,” when it could be done without being seen, an enemy came and scattered bad seed on the new-plowed field, perhaps before the good seed had been harrowed in.

Satan thus sows false doctrine in darkness. In the very place where the truth is preached, and while the hearts of people are open to receive it, by false but plausible teachers he takes care to inculcate false sentiments. Often it is one of his arts, in a revival of religion, to spread secretly dangerous notions of piety. Multitudes are persuaded that they are Christians who are deceived. They are awakened, convicted, and alarmed. They take this for conversion. Or they find their burden gone; they fancy that they hear a voice; or a text of Scripture is “brought” to them, saying that their sins are forgiven; or they see Christ hanging on the cross in a vision; or they dream that their sins are pardoned, and they suppose they are Christians. But they are deceived. None of these things are any conclusive evidence of piety. All these may exist, and still there be no true love to God or Christ, and no real hatred of sin and change of heart. An enemy may do it to deceive them, and to bring dishonor on religion.

Sowed tares - By “tares” is probably meant a degenerate kind of wheat, or the darnel-grass growing in Palestine. In its growth and form it has a strong resemblance to genuine wheat; but it either produces no grain, or that of a very inferior and hurtful kind. Probably it comes near to what we mean by “chess.” It was extremely difficult to separate it from the genuine wheat, on account of its similarity while growing.

“The tare abounds all over the East, and is a great nuisance to the farmer. It resembles the American “cheat (chess),” but the “head” does not droop like cheat, nor does it branch out like oats. The grain, also, is smaller, and is arranged along the upper part of the stalk, which stands perfectly erect. The “taste” is bitter, and when eaten separately, or even when diffused in ordinary bread, it causes dizziness, and often acts as a violent emetic. Barn-door fowls also become dizzy from eating it. In short, it is a strong soporific poison, and must be carefully winnowed, and picked out of the wheat grain by grain, before grinding, or the flour is not healthy. Even the farmers, who in this country generally “weed” their fields, do not attempt to separate the one from the other. They would not only mistake good grain for them, but very commonly the roots of the two are so intertwined that it is impossible to separate them without plucking up both. Both, therefore, must be left to “grow together” until the time of harvest.” - (Thomson) “The Land and the Book,” vol. ii. pp. 111, 112. Thus, “tares” aptly represented hypocrites in the church. Strongly resembling Christians in their experience, and, in some respects, their lives it is impossible to distinguish them from genuine Christians, nor can they be separated until it is done by the Great Searcher of hearts at the day of judgment. An enemy the devil hath done it. And nowhere has he shown profounder cunning, or done more to adulterate the purity of the gospel.

And went his way - There is something very expressive in this. He knew the soil; he knew how the seed would take root and grow. He had only to sow the seed and let it alone. So Satan knows the soil in which he sows his doctrine. He knows that in the human heart it will take deep and rapid root. It needs but little culture. Grace needs constant attendance and care. Error, and sin, and hypocrisy are the native products of the human heart, and, when left alone, start up with deadly luxuriancy.

Matthew 13:26

Then appeared the tares also - That is, then the tares were “first discovered.” They had grown with the wheat, but were so much like it as not to be noticed until the wheat began to ripen.

So true piety and false hopes are not known by professions, by “blades,” and leaves, and flowers, but by the fruit.

Matthew 13:29

Ye root up also the wheat - They so much resembled the true wheat that even then it would be difficult to separate them.

By gathering them, they would tread down the wheat, loosen and disturb the earth, and greatly injure the crop. In the harvest it could be done without injury.

Matthew 13:30

Let both grow together - They would not spoil the true wheat, and in time of harvest it would be easy to separate them.

Our Saviour teaches us here:

1. That hypocrites and deceived persons must be expected in the church.
2. That this is the work of the enemy of man. They are not the work of Christianity any more than traitors are of patriotism, or counterfeiters are of the proper effect of legislating about money. They belong to the world, and hypocrisy is only one form of sin. The Christian religion never “made” a hypocrite, nor is there a hypocrite on the earth whose principles and practice it does not condemn.
3. That all hope of removing them entirely would be vain.
4. That an “attempt” to remove them altogether would injure real Christianity, by causing excitements, discord, and hard feelings even among Christians.
5. That Christ will himself separate them at the proper time. There is no doubt that it is the duty of the church to keep itself pure, and to cut off gross and manifest offenders, 1 Corinthians 5:4-5; but the Saviour refers here to those who may be “suspected” of hypocrisy, but against whom it cannot be proved; to those who so successfully imitate Christians as to make it difficult or impossible for man to distinguish them.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Matthew 13:26. When the blade was sprung up - then appeared the tares also. — Satan has a shoot of iniquity for every shoot of grace; and, when God revives his work, Satan revives his also. No marvel, therefore, if we find scandals arising suddenly to discredit a work of grace, where God has begun to pour out his Spirit.