ZIZANIA (τὰ ζιζάνια). - A weed very similar to wheat, which, in the parable of Jesus recounted in Mt. 13, 20-30, 36-43, must be identified with darnel (Iolium temulentum of Linnaeus). It is clearly distinguishable from wheat only when its ears develop (cf. Mt. 13, 26). It has a narcotic effect on the human organism and causes dizziness, owing to a small fungus that lodges beneath the seed covering.
When, as in the parable, z. grows together with good grain, it is difficult to uproot it without damaging the grain. Normally Eastern farmers wait until maturity and then, before reaping the good grain, uproot the z. and destroy it by fire.
Jesus himself explained the parable of the z. to the Apostles (Mt. 13, 36-43), specifying that the sower is «the Son of man» (v.), the field «the world», the good seed
«the children of the kingdom», that is, those who accept the Gospel word proclaiming the Kingdom of God; the z. are «the children of the evil one», who have the devil as their father (Io. 8, 44); the enemy who sowed it is «the devil»; the harvest is «the end of the world»; the reapers are «the angels», who will be sent by the Son of man to punish the wicked with the fire of hell and to reward the righteous, who will shine in the heavenly Kingdom.
God permits the «mystery of iniquity» (II Thess. 2, 7) to operate in the history of the Church until the final parousia.