Bible Strands
Matthew 13:25
But while everyone was asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and slipped away.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses his disciples in a field setting, continuing his series of kingdom parables immediately after describing a man sowing good seed. He narrates a moment when the field workers are unguarded during the night.
The words — καθεύδειν (katheudein) means to sleep, and αὐτοῦ (autou) denotes his, identifying the owner of the field. The text records the enemy acting while the workers are unconscious and then departing without detection.
The thread — The motif of a hidden adversary exploiting unwatchfulness appears in 1 Peter 5:8, which warns that the devil prowls seeking to devour. The pattern of secret corruption drawing people away recurs in Acts 20:30 and 2 Peter 2:1 regarding false teachers.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that spiritual opposition operates during periods of neglect rather than open confrontation. It requires readers to maintain constant vigilance rather than assuming safety during ordinary rest.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
Cross-references
- 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
- Acts 20:30 Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.
- 2 Peter 2:1 Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
- Matthew 13:39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
- Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many.
- Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
- Matthew 25:5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
- Isaiah 56:9 Come, all you beasts of the field; eat greedily, all you beasts of the forest.
- 2 Corinthians 11:13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
- 2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires.