Matthew 13 24

Matthew 13:24 kjv

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

Matthew 13:24 nkjv

Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;

Matthew 13:24 niv

Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.

Matthew 13:24 esv

He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field,

Matthew 13:24 nlt

Here is another story Jesus told: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field.

Matthew 13 verses

Matthew 13 24 Meaning

Matthew 13:24 introduces the Parable of the Weeds (also known as the Tares), where Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a farmer who sowed good seed in his field. This parable, unique to Matthew's Gospel, reveals insights into the nature of the Kingdom of God—that it grows and exists alongside evil in the world until the time of harvest (judgment). It describes the Lord's work of populating His Kingdom with His true children within the world, setting the stage for the challenge presented by an enemy.

Matthew 13 24 Context

This verse is part of Matthew Chapter 13, often referred to as "the Parable Chapter," where Jesus uses a series of parables to reveal the mysteries of the "kingdom of heaven." It immediately follows the Parable of the Sower (or Soils), which illustrates the different responses to the Word of God. Matthew 13:24 introduces the Parable of the Weeds, offering a distinct revelation about the kingdom's present reality. Unlike the Parable of the Sower, which focuses on the reception of the word, this parable focuses on the nature of the members of the kingdom, the presence of genuine followers mixed with imitators, and the timeline of their co-existence until the final judgment. The historical context reflects an agrarian society, where the act of sowing, cultivation, and harvesting was universally understood, providing relatable imagery for Jesus' audience. The idea of the "kingdom of heaven" was central to Jewish expectations, often understood as a political, immediate, and pure earthly reign; Jesus' parables frequently challenged these conventional, sometimes simplistic, understandings by revealing its spiritual, internal, gradual, and at times, "mixed" nature before final separation.

Matthew 13 24 Word analysis

• Another parable: (Greek: parabolē - a comparison, a juxtaposition). Jesus is continuing His series of teachings using vivid, earthly stories to explain heavenly truths. The use of "another" indicates a deliberate sequence of kingdom explanations.
• put he forth: (Greek: parethēken - from paratithemai, meaning to place beside, set before, present). Jesus presented this parable clearly to them, inviting reflection and understanding. It suggests intentional, systematic teaching.
• unto them: Primarily referring to the crowds that were gathered around Jesus by the sea (Mat 13:2), but the explanation of this parable is given specifically to His disciples later (Mat 13:36). This highlights Jesus' public teaching method contrasted with private revelation to His chosen ones.
• saying: Marks the beginning of Jesus' direct instruction.
• The kingdom of heaven: (Greek: hē basileia tōn ouranōn). This phrase, unique to Matthew's Gospel, refers to God's reign and kingly rule, inaugurated by Jesus and manifesting in His Person and work. It's an unfolding reality, both present (in Jesus' ministry and the lives of believers) and future (culminating in His second coming). Matthew avoids direct use of "God" due to Jewish reverence.
• is likened unto: (Greek: homoiōthē - aorist passive indicative of homoioō, meaning "to be made like," "to be compared to"). Emphasizes the illustrative nature of the parable. It is a comparison, not an exact replica. The kingdom is like this story; it doesn't mean it is a physical field or specific man.
• a man: (Greek: anthrōpos - a human being, a man). In the parable's explanation (Mat 13:37), this "man" is explicitly identified by Jesus as "the Son of Man," referring to Himself. This immediate identification makes the sower the Lord Jesus Himself.
• which sowed: (Greek: speironti - present active participle of speirō, meaning "to sow, scatter seed"). Depicts the action of spreading or distributing seed, which in this context, refers to placing God's children within the world.
• good seed: (Greek: kalon sperma - beautiful, excellent, or good quality seed). Implies something pure, healthy, and inherently capable of producing life. In Mat 13:38, Jesus identifies this good seed as "the children of the kingdom," meaning those who are truly saved, true believers, belonging to Christ.
• in his field: (Greek: en tō agrō autou - literally, "in the field of him"). "His field" signifies possession and domain. In Mat 13:38, Jesus defines "the field" as "the world" (ho kosmos). This reveals the universal scope of the kingdom's operation—not limited to Israel, but extending to all nations.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man": Establishes the core metaphor and the agent. The kingdom's unfolding reality is tied to the actions of its divine "sower."
• "which sowed good seed": Highlights the quality and source of the true members of the kingdom. These are not merely random individuals, but carefully sown, good-quality produce.
• "in his field": Identifies the vast arena where the kingdom operates. It's the world, where God's purposes are being unfolded through His people. The "his" emphasizes divine ownership of the world, even amidst the enemy's activities.

Matthew 13 24 Bonus section

The Jewish expectations for the Messiah's kingdom were often seen as a glorious, immediate, and politically triumphant reign that would purify Israel and expel all Gentile and evil influences. Jesus, through this parable, subtly but profoundly recalibrates these expectations. He shows that the kingdom, in its initial stages, would not be purified by human means (by weeding out the bad), nor would it be entirely free from evil. The long wait for the harvest before the final separation was a challenging concept for those expecting instant and absolute restoration. This parabolic teaching demonstrates that the Kingdom operates within historical time, not merely as an apocalyptic climax, requiring believers to navigate a complex world where truth and deception, righteousness and wickedness, exist simultaneously, intertwined. This implies that the full and perfect manifestation of the Kingdom is a future event, dependent on God's timing and divine intervention.

Matthew 13 24 Commentary

Matthew 13:24 introduces a pivotal parable concerning the ongoing nature of God's Kingdom on earth. It reveals that the "kingdom of heaven" is not an exclusively pure, immediately perfected entity during this present age. Instead, it encompasses true believers ("good seed") placed within the world ("the field") by Jesus Himself ("the man who sowed"). The critical revelation to follow (Mat 13:25) is that an enemy comes to sow evil seed among the good, causing both to grow side-by-side until the harvest (judgment). This explains the persistent presence of unrighteousness and false believers alongside the true children of God within the professing Christian community and the wider world. The emphasis is on divine sovereignty in establishing the kingdom, even in a hostile environment, and the ultimate timing of separation is God's. This teaches patience, tolerance of both good and bad, and deferring final judgment to God, assuring believers that ultimately justice will prevail and all genuine children of the Kingdom will be clearly identified and gathered.

Practical Usage:

• Encourages believers to endure the presence of evil and hypocrisy, knowing God controls the harvest.
• Affirms that the Church on earth will be a mixed body until Christ's return.
• Highlights Jesus' role as the sower of His true people into the world.