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.

Cross-reference

In Matthew 13:25, the enemy sows tares; here the enemy is identified as the devil — a direct explanation of the parable.

In Matthew 13:28, the servants are told 'an enemy hath done this'; v39 identifies that enemy as the devil.

Matthew 13:30 gives the parable's command to the reapers, which v.39 directly explains.

Matthew 28:20 uses the same Greek phrase 'end of the age' (synteleia tou aionos) as here — Jesus promises his presence until that end.

Matthew 25:31 shows the Son of Man coming with all his holy angels, linking the reapers to his return for judgment.

Ephesians 6:11 Related theme

In Ephesians 6:11, believers must stand against the devil's schemes; the parable shows his scheme of sowing tares.

In Revelation 20:7-10, Satan's final rebellion ends in eternal fire — the harvest judgment where the weeds are burned as in the parable.

In Revelation 19:20, the beast and false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire — the final fate awaiting the weeds sown by the devil.

Revelation 14:15-19 depicts angels reaping the earth's harvest in final judgment, echoing the reapers and harvest here.

In Revelation 12:9, the dragon is called the devil and Satan who deceives the whole world — the very enemy who sowed the weeds.

1 Peter 5:8 Related theme

In 1 Peter 5:8, the devil prowls like a lion seeking whom to devour — the same enemy who secretly sows weeds in the parable.

Ephesians 6:12 Related theme

In Ephesians 6:12, the spiritual forces of evil are the same enemy behind the weeds — the devil's work in the field of the world.

Ephesians 2:2 Related theme

In Ephesians 2:2, the prince of the power of the air works in the disobedient; the devil is the enemy who sows in the world.

In 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Satan's ministers disguise as righteous; the enemy sows tares among wheat — both show Satan planting counterfeits.

2 Corinthians 11:3 Related theme

In 2 Corinthians 11:3, the serpent (Satan) deceives Eve; the enemy (devil) sows tares — both depict Satan's deception.

Joel 3:13 Allusion

Joel 3:13 uses harvest imagery for judgment, providing the OT backdrop for Jesus' parable of the harvest at the end.

1 Corinthians 15:24 describes 'the end' when Christ hands over the kingdom — aligning with the harvest as the end of the age.

2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 describes Jesus revealed with mighty angels in flaming fire, tying the reapers to the second coming.

In 2 Thessalonians 2:8-11, the lawless one's deceptive signs mirror the devil's sowing of weeds — both are Satan's work leading to judgment.

In Revelation 20:2, Satan is bound for a thousand years — a temporary restraint on the enemy who sowed weeds until the harvest.

In Revelation 20:3, Satan is thrown into the abyss and sealed — the same enemy from the parable is imprisoned before the final judgment.

Daniel 7:10 Allusion

Daniel 7:10 portrays myriads of angels attending the judgment, connecting to the reapers as angelic ministers.

Jude 1:14 Parallel

Jude 1:14 cites Enoch's prophecy of the Lord coming with ten thousands of holy ones, paralleling the angelic reapers.