[Greek] σῖτος (sitos), [Latin] frumentum: corn, grain, wheat; Act.27:38, Act.7:12, Mt.13:25,29
Grain used in sacrificial offerings in the temple
Background Information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means grain, provisions, aid, food, and allowance. Homer’s Odyssey 13.244 states “Therein grows corn beyond measure and the wine grapes as well.” Xenophon’s Hellenica 7.5.14 states “The Arcadians would be coming to Lacedaemon to bring aid.” Xenophon’s Cyropaedia 1.2.11 states “They consume but one day’s provisions.”
Greco-Roman Theatre: The parasite is one of the classical stock characters on the stage. This character is often seen exploiting the hospitality from others, showing praise and flattery toward others, and misleading for his own gain.
Pagan culture: The Parasiti was a holy order associated with the Temple priests. This order’s primary duty was to collect and take care of the sacred grain destined for Temple sacrifices. The Parasiti ensured that each resident duly performed their public offerings to the Temple. The grain was stored in the public storehouse (Parastium) for sacred purposes. This holy order of Parasiti, as public servants, were often supported by the community at meals. The term parasite essentially means beside the grain.
New Testament: At God’s judgment, He will separate the weeds form the wheat, burning the chaff. The weeds and the wheat must not be separated. Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a seed. Jesus’ death will bring everlasting life to others.
Scripture:
“Unless a great of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” Jn.12:24
Jesus’ death will bring about everlasting life to many others.
“But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our ancestors there a first time.” Act. 7:12
Grain was important commodity for food and for sacrificial offerings.
“The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off.” Mt.13:24-25
The field is the world. The good seed represents the children of the kingdom. The weed represents the children of the evil one.
Conclusion:
Parasite, parasitical, fruit
From this comes the terms parasite and parasitical. It is interesting to note that this term did not originally have such a negative sense as of today. For the most part, a parasite is seen as taking advantage of someone, while not returning anything back in kind.