Olney Hymns · Chapter
The Wheat and Tares explained
This poem reflects on the parable of the wheat and tares, emphasizing the coexistence of true believers and hypocrites in the visible church.
What happens
This poem reflects on the parable of the wheat and tares, emphasizing the coexistence of true believers and hypocrites in the visible church. It warns that outward appearances are deceptive and that God's judgment will ultimately separate the righteous from the wicked, with the latter facing eternal punishment.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional peak occurs in stanza V, where the speaker’s hope is violently extinguished as Satan obscures ev…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Human Sinfulness and Depravity
The tares represent those who outwardly appear among the wheat but are inwardly corrupt, illustrating the presence of sin within the church.
- Divine Providence and Guidance
The tares are spared for various ends, and even against their will, they fulfill God's counsels, showing God's sovereign control over all.
Characters to notice
- Jesus Christ
The one who will weed the crop and pluck the tares in anger.
- The Lord
The all-seeing judge who discerns every heart.
Key passages
“Jesus ere long will weed the crop, And pluck the tares in anger up.”
Jesus will soon separate the wicked from the righteous and cast the wicked into judgment.
The poem paraphrases the parable's promise of final separation and judgment.
“To them the word of life and faith Became an instrument of death.”
For the tares, the gospel message that brings life to believers becomes a means of condemnation.
This reflects the biblical principle that the same word can be a savor of life or death (2 Corinthians 2:16).
