The Wheat and Weeds
Good and evil coexist until final judgment, when God will make ultimate separation.
An enemy sows weeds among wheat. Servants want to pull up weeds immediately, but the master forbids it—uprooting weeds would damage wheat. Both grow together until harvest, when they are finally separated. This parable teaches patience with imperfection in the world and the church. Premature judgment may harm the innocent. God alone knows hearts and will make final separation. The parable warns against both naive optimism (ignoring evil) and zealous purification (destroying good while attacking evil). Trust God's timing while continuing to plant wheat.
Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.
Augustine used this parable to argue against forced conversions and religious persecution, insisting on patience until God's final judgment.
Gospel of Matthew