Matthew 13:25

But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

Cross-references

In Matthew 13:38, Jesus explains that the weeds are people of the evil one — defining the result of the enemy's sowing here.

In Matthew 13:39, Jesus identifies the enemy as the devil, directly explaining the sower of weeds in this verse.

Acts 20:30 Parallel

Acts 20:30 warns of false teachers arising from within — exactly the enemy sowing tares among the wheat in the parable.

Galatians 2:4 describes false brethren secretly infiltrating — the same covert enemy action as sowing tares among the wheat.

2 Peter 2:1 Parallel

2 Peter 2:1 describes false teachers secretly bringing in heresies — the exact 'sowing tares' scenario from the parable.

In 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, false apostles masquerade as righteous, mirroring the enemy secretly planting weeds among the wheat.

2 Timothy 4:3-5 warns of people turning to false teachers and commands watchfulness — the situation when men slept allowed the tares.

Acts 20:31 Contrast

Acts 20:31 commands watchfulness — the opposite of the sleeping that allowed the enemy to sow tares.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:6, Paul urges believers to stay awake — contrasting the sleep that allowed the enemy to sow weeds.