Note how the enemy sowed weeds while not just the owner was asleep, but also the people—at a time when it is natural to rest and when the enemy too should have been resting. The enemy here, Satan, sowed among what was already sown, for Satan also sows with words. Christ’s sowing with positive seed comes first; the devil then seeks to undo Christ’s work. This nocturnal attack, signalling trouble ahead, would shock Galilean farmers hearing the parable.
It is important to note that the enemy sowed the weeds not merely while the owner was asleep, but while the people were asleep—that is, at the very time when it was natural to rest and when the enemy too ought to have been resting. The enemy here signifies the personal adversary of Jesus: Satan, who always opposes Christ. He sowed among that which had already been sown, for Satan also works with words. Christ’s sowing comes first—the positive seed is sown by him. The devil then seeks to disturb and undo what Christ has done.1
This act, carried out at night, would have shocked Galilean farmers who heard the parable. It signaled trouble ahead for the harvest.2
25 Mais, pendant que les gens dormaient, son ennemi vint, sema de l'ivraie parmi le blé, et s'en alla.