So then, just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so it will be at the end of the world.
In this saying, Jesus presents the reality of the final judgment in a figurative way. The burning of the weeds symbolizes the destruction of the wicked through eternal judgment. Just as, during agricultural work, harmful weeds are separated from the wheat and destroyed by fire, so also at the end of the world God, through his righteous judgment, will distinguish evil from good. In this way Jesus warns the followers of evil and at the same time comforts the righteous, assuring them that evil does not remain unpunished forever.