Matthew 13 23

Matthew 13:23 kjv

But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Matthew 13:23 nkjv

But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."

Matthew 13:23 niv

But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

Matthew 13:23 esv

As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty."

Matthew 13:23 nlt

The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God's word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!"

Matthew 13 verses

Matthew 13 23 Meaning

This verse describes the blessed outcome for those who truly receive the Word of God. It highlights that individuals represented by "good soil" not only hear the divine message but also deeply understand it, leading to a life characterized by spiritual fruitfulness and productivity. This fruitfulness manifests in varying degrees, signifying that genuine faith yields abundant life, even if the outward expression or impact differs among believers.

Matthew 13 23 Context

Matthew 13 records Jesus’ "Parables of the Kingdom of Heaven," explaining profound spiritual truths through common agrarian and social scenes. The Parable of the Sower (vv. 1-9) illustrates various responses to the proclamation of the Gospel. Following this, Jesus explains to His disciples why He teaches in parables and then clarifies the meaning of the Sower parable (vv. 18-23). Verse 23 specifically describes the fourth and desired outcome of the Word, contrasting it with the unfruitful responses seen in verses 19-22, where the seed (Word) is lost to wayside, rocky ground, or thorny ground due to lack of understanding, shallow root, or worldly worries. Historically and culturally, the analogy of soil types and agricultural yields would have been immediately graspable to Jesus' agrarian audience, who understood the critical importance of fertile ground for a successful harvest and the significant return of a "hundredfold" as an extraordinary blessing.

Matthew 13 23 Word analysis

• As for what was sown on good soil (ὁ δὲ ἐπὶ τὴν καλὴν γῆν σπαρείς, ho de epi tēn kalēn gēn spareis):
  • Good (καλὴν, kalēn): From kalos, meaning inherently good, beautiful, noble, morally excellent. This is not just absence of vice but an active goodness and receptivity, suggesting a heart prepared and receptive to God. It reflects an inward quality that allows for growth.
  • Soil (γῆν, gēn): The receptive element; represents the human heart or person.
  • Sown (σπαρείς, spareis): A passive participle, indicating the Word is broadcast by another (God/the sower), not self-generated by the recipient. It emphasizes the divine origin and initiative of the Gospel.
• this is the one who hears the word and understands it (οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ ἀκούων τὸν λόγον καὶ συνιῶν, houtos estin ho akouōn ton logon kai syniōn):
  • Hears (ἀκούων, akouōn): Implies not just physical hearing but active listening, paying attention, and spiritual receptivity. It goes beyond merely perceiving sounds.
  • The word (τὸν λόγον, ton logon): Refers to the "word of the kingdom" (Matt 13:19), the Gospel message, the revelation of divine truth.
  • Understands (συνιῶν, syniōn): From syniēmi, meaning to grasp, comprehend, put together, to discern or perceive with the mind and heart. This understanding is crucial and distinct from merely hearing. It's a deep comprehension that leads to internalizing the message and allowing it to transform one's life. This understanding is often spiritually enabled (Matt 13:11, 14-15; Eph 1:17-18).
• He indeed bears fruit and produces (ὃς δὴ καρποφορεῖ καὶ ποιεῖ, hos dē karpophorei kai poiei):
  • Bears fruit (καρποφορεῖ, karpophorei): From karpophoreō, meaning literally "to carry fruit" or "to be fruitful." This signifies visible evidence of spiritual life, transformation, and adherence to Christ. It encompasses acts of righteousness, character development (fruit of the Spirit, Gal 5:22-23), good works (Eph 2:10), worship, and sharing the Gospel.
  • Produces (ποιεῖ, poiei): From poieō, meaning to do, to make, to produce. This word reinforces the active, intentional output of fruit, emphasizing the practical manifestation of the internal understanding and spiritual growth. The two verbs together highlight both the inherent nature of fruit-bearing and the deliberate action involved.
• in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty (ὃ μὲν ἑκατὸν ὃ δὲ ἑξήκοντα ὃ δὲ τριάκοντα):
  • These numbers indicate varying degrees of spiritual productivity and effectiveness. Not every fruitful life will show the same outward impact or yield, but all genuine fruitfulness is valued and comes from God's grace working through the individual. It underscores that God allows for diverse capacities and outcomes in His Kingdom, valuing faithfulness in all expressions. A "hundredfold" was an exceptionally bountiful harvest in ancient agriculture, representing extraordinary divine blessing and impact.

Matthew 13 23 Bonus section

The concept of "understanding" (syniō) in this verse implies a deeper spiritual apprehension, enabled by divine grace, distinguishing true disciples from those who hear but remain uncomprehending (as described in Matt 13:14-15 regarding those whose hearts are dull). It is a comprehension that actively integrates the truth into one's being, leading to a changed life. The metaphor of agricultural fruitfulness connects strongly with the broader biblical theme of human life being intended to glorify God through productivity and spiritual replication, mirroring creation's mandate. The diverse levels of yield highlight God's sovereignty and grace in that not all believers are given the same capacity for output, yet all faithful and fruitful endeavors are valued equally by God for their genuineness.

Matthew 13 23 Commentary

Matthew 13:23 succinctly presents the desired outcome of engaging with God's Word. The "good soil" symbolizes a heart made ready by God, receptive to spiritual truth, unlike those whose hearts are hardened, shallow, or choked by worldly concerns. Crucially, the good soil not only hears the Word but understands it deeply, meaning it grasps its significance, allowing it to penetrate and take root in one's life. This profound understanding isn't mere intellectual assent but a transformative reception that invariably leads to bearing spiritual fruit. The fruit signifies a life transformed by the Gospel—evidenced by character, deeds, and influence that reflects God's kingdom. The varying yields (hundredfold, sixty, thirty) teach us that while God expects fruit, the measure or outward manifestation can differ among individuals, each according to their capacity and divine purpose. What truly matters is genuine receptivity and the resulting, observable fruit of faith, all contributing to the expansion and glory of God's kingdom.