Matthew 13:3 kjv
And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
Matthew 13:3 nkjv
Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: "Behold, a sower went out to sow.
Matthew 13:3 niv
Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed.
Matthew 13:3 esv
And he told them many things in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow.
Matthew 13:3 nlt
He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: "Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds.
Matthew 13 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mk 4:3 | “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow...” | Parallel account of the Sower parable. |
| Lk 8:5 | “A sower went out to sow his seed...” | Another synoptic parallel to the parable's opening. |
| Mt 13:10 | The disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” | Disciples inquire about parabolic teaching. |
| Isa 6:9-10 | “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand...’ ” | Prophecy fulfilled by Jesus' parabolic teaching. |
| Jer 5:21 | “Hear this now, O foolish people, without understanding, who have eyes...” | People who hear but do not understand. |
| Mk 4:10-12 | And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery...” | Purpose of parables: revelation to some, concealment to others. |
| Lk 8:10 | “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God...” | Purpose of parables for disciples and outsiders. |
| Mt 13:16 | “But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear...” | Blessing for those who understand. |
| Lk 8:11 | “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.” | Explicit identification of the seed as the Word. |
| Mk 4:14 | “The sower sows the word.” | Confirmation of the seed's identity. |
| 1 Pet 1:23 | ...born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God. | The Word of God as living seed. |
| Jas 1:21 | ...receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. | The Word as an implanted saving agent. |
| Heb 4:12 | For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword. | The active and potent nature of the Word. |
| Isa 55:10-11 | For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven...so shall My word be. | God's Word accomplishes its purpose. |
| Mt 4:17 | From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” | Jesus' central message: Kingdom of Heaven. |
| Mt 13:24 | Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like...” | Kingdom of Heaven theme continues in parables. |
| John 4:35-37 | Do you not say, ‘There are still four months until harvest’?... One sows and another reaps. | Principle of sowing and reaping applies to spiritual harvest. |
| 1 Cor 3:6-7 | I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. | God's role in spiritual growth beyond sowing. |
| Mt 9:37-38 | Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” | Call for sowers/laborers for the spiritual harvest. |
| Lk 10:2 | Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few...” | Similar call for more workers for the harvest. |
| Mk 16:15 | And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” | The command to "go out" and sow the Gospel. |
| Acts 1:8 | But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you...to the ends of the earth. | Empowering of disciples to "go out" and spread the Word. |
Matthew 13 verses
Matthew 13 3 Meaning
Matthew 13:3 introduces Jesus' extensive use of parables as a method of teaching the truths of the Kingdom of Heaven. It immediately presents the first and foundational parable, that of the Sower, highlighting the central action of a farmer going out specifically to spread seed. This verse sets the stage for understanding the reception of the divine message, indicating a universal broadcast of the Word despite varied outcomes, thereby introducing a key theme of response to God's revelation.
Matthew 13 3 Context
Matthew 13 is a pivotal chapter often referred to as the "Parable Chapter." It marks a shift in Jesus' teaching methodology from more direct discourse to a heavy reliance on parables, especially concerning the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. This change is partly in response to the growing opposition and misunderstanding among some religious leaders and the general public, while also serving to reveal truth to those with receptive hearts. The immediate context of verse 3 is Jesus sitting by the sea, teaching a vast multitude from a boat. The chapter is framed by a collection of seven parables, beginning with the foundational Parable of the Sower, which metaphorically lays out different responses to the proclaimed Kingdom message. Historically and culturally, parables were common teaching tools in the ancient Near East, using relatable agricultural or everyday scenarios to convey deeper truths. Jesus' unique twist was that His parables, unlike many rabbinic proverbs, often served to both reveal and conceal truth, discerning between those who genuinely sought understanding and those who merely heard without truly listening.
Matthew 13 3 Word analysis
- Then (Tote - Τότε): A temporal adverb, signifying a shift or a new phase. It indicates a transition from the earlier events and discussions in Matthew to a concentrated period of parabolic teaching.
- He spoke (Elalesen - ἐλάλησεν): From
laleo, meaning to speak, utter, proclaim. Implies a formal, purposeful communication, distinguishing it from casual talk. - many things (polla - πολλά): Highlights the extensive and comprehensive nature of Jesus’ teaching in parables. It's not just one isolated parable, but a significant volume of new instruction.
- to them (autois - αὐτοῖς): Refers to the "great multitudes" mentioned in Mt 13:2, emphasizing that Jesus' initial public teaching of parables was addressed to a broad audience, even if the understanding was exclusive.
- in parables (en parabolais - ἐν παραβολαῖς):
Parabole(παραβολή) literally means "a placing beside," hence a comparison, analogy, or similitude. It is a narrative drawn from earthly experiences that conveys a heavenly truth. For Jesus, parables both reveal divine truths to those who are receptive and conceal them from those who are not, serving as a judgment on hardened hearts (Mt 13:11-13). - saying (legon - λέγων): Introducing direct speech, the beginning of the parable itself.
- Behold (Idou - ἰδού): An interjection, meaning "look!", "see!", or "lo!". It commands attention and emphasizes the importance of what is about to be said, urging the hearers to mentally picture the scene.
- a sower (ho speirōn - ὁ σπείρων): Not "the" sower but "a" sower (or, literally, "the one sowing" as a continuous action, emphasizing the type of person). Represents one who proclaims the Word of God, primarily Jesus Himself, but also extends to His disciples and all who share the Gospel. This emphasizes the universality of the spreading of the divine message.
- went out (exelthein - ἐξελθὼν): From
exerchomai, meaning to go forth, to come out. This is a deliberate, active, and outward movement. It speaks to the purposeful mission of proclaiming the Kingdom message beyond a confined place, into the world, engaging directly with diverse contexts and people. - to sow (tou speirai - τοῦ σπεῖραι): From
speiro, meaning to scatter or spread seed. This verb establishes the core action of the parable and, metaphorically, the central activity of disseminating the Word of God, irrespective of the initial soil condition.
Matthew 13 3 Bonus section
The concept of Jesus "speaking in parables" became a characteristic mark of His public ministry during this later phase. It signifies not a simplification, but often a deepening of the spiritual understanding required. For many, parables initially acted as riddles, demanding spiritual discernment beyond mere intellectual grasp. Those unwilling to search for the deeper meaning found them perplexing, whereas receptive hearts found revelation. The sower's act of "going out" is inherently an act of faith. He sows without knowing where all the seeds will land or which will bear fruit. This illustrates the nature of evangelism: a diligent and generous sharing of the Word, leaving the results to God. This action anticipates the Great Commission where believers are called to "go into all the world." The image of the sower contrasts with the idea of hoarding or protecting the "seed" (the Word), emphasizing a mandate for widespread dissemination.
Matthew 13 3 Commentary
Matthew 13:3 inaugurates a critical shift in Jesus' ministry, highlighting the teaching through parables as a new, significant method of instruction concerning the Kingdom of Heaven. The phrase "He spoke many things to them in parables" underscores the abundance and purposeful nature of this new mode of communication. It reveals that parables serve a dual function: to clarify divine truths for those prepared to receive them (the disciples and sincere seekers) and simultaneously to obscure these truths from those with closed minds and hardened hearts, fulfilling ancient prophecy (Isa 6:9-10). The immediate introduction to the Sower parable is vital, marked by the emphatic "Behold!", calling for utmost attention to this foundational story. "A sower went out to sow" immediately sets a familiar agricultural scene, depicting an intentional act of spreading seed generously, without discrimination based on anticipated outcomes. This sower embodies not just Jesus in His ministry, but any herald of the Gospel, who faithfully disseminates the Word of God to all. The "going out" signifies active mission and evangelism, indicating that the divine message is brought directly to humanity, into their various circumstances. This verse establishes the generous, universal proclamation of God's Word as the starting point, leaving the outcome to depend on the varying receptivity of the "soil" of human hearts.