ζιζάνιον

spurious wheat, darnel

Definition

ζιζάνιον refers to a specific weed known as 'darnel' or 'false wheat,' a plant that closely resembles wheat in its early growth stages but is ultimately poisonous and worthless. In the New Testament, it appears exclusively in Jesus' Parable of the Weeds (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43), where it symbolizes the 'sons of the evil one' sown among the 'good seed' (the sons of the kingdom). The key distinction is that darnel looks deceptively like true wheat until maturity, at which point the difference becomes clear and it must be separated and destroyed (Matthew 13:30, 40).

Biblical Usage

This word is used only in the Gospel of Matthew, specifically within the Parable of the Weeds and its explanation (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43). All eight occurrences are in this single, extended metaphor. The usage is entirely symbolic, representing counterfeit believers or agents of evil that grow alongside the genuine people of God within the world until the final judgment.

Etymology

The word ζιζάνιον is of uncertain origin, but it is a native Greek term (not a Semitic loanword) that specifically denoted the darnel plant (Lolium temulentum). It had no widespread metaphorical use prior to the New Testament; its symbolic meaning in the parable is a distinctive development within the biblical text.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as the central symbol in Jesus' teaching on the problem of evil within the kingdom community. It illustrates the coexistence of good and evil in the present age, the deceptive nature of evil (which mimics the good), and God's ultimate authority and patience in executing final judgment (Matthew 13:29-30). Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by highlighting the specific agricultural reality behind the metaphor: the need for expert discernment and the danger of premature human judgment.

In the ancient Near Eastern agricultural setting, darnel was a well-known and serious problem. Its roots would intertwine with those of wheat, making early removal risky. Farmers allowed both to grow together until harvest, when the shorter, darker darnel heads could be distinguished and separated. This practice informs Jesus' command to 'let both grow together until the harvest' (Matthew 13:30), a detail that would resonate immediately with his original audience.

σίτος (sitos, G4621) — This is the word for 'wheat,' the true and valuable crop contrasted with the ζιζάνιον. κόκκος (kokkos, G2848) — Means 'seed' or 'grain'; in the parable (Matthew 13:31), it is used for the mustard seed, representing something small and genuine, unlike the counterfeit ζιζάνιον.

Word Details

Scripture References