Matthew 13:3

And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

And {G2532} he spake {G2980} many things {G4183} unto them {G846} in {G1722} parables {G3850}, saying {G3004}, Behold {G2400}, a sower {G4687} went forth {G1831} to sow {G4687};

He told them many things in parables: "A farmer went out to sow his seed.

And He told them many things in parables, saying, “A farmer went out to sow his seed.

And he spake to them many things in parables, saying, Behold, the sower went forth to sow;

Commentary

Matthew 13:3 introduces one of Jesus Christ's most foundational and widely known teachings: the Parable of the Sower. This verse sets the scene, marking a significant moment in Jesus' public ministry where He begins to teach in parables, a method that both reveals spiritual truth and, for some, obscures it.

Context

This verse opens what is often called the "Parable Chapter" in Matthew's Gospel, where Jesus delivers seven parables from a boat on the Sea of Galilee to a large crowd assembled on the shore. Prior to this, Jesus had been performing miracles and teaching directly, but here He shifts to a new mode of instruction. The use of parables served multiple purposes: it made complex spiritual truths accessible through relatable agricultural imagery, while also fulfilling prophecy (Matthew 13:34-35) and discerning the spiritual receptivity of His hearers. Only those with "ears to hear" would understand the deeper meaning, as explained later in Matthew 13:10-17.

Key Themes

  • The Nature of Parables: This verse highlights Jesus' shift to a teaching method that uses earthly stories to convey heavenly truths. It's a pedagogical tool designed to engage, provoke thought, and reveal spiritual understanding based on one's heart condition.
  • The Sower and the Seed: The introduction of "a sower went forth to sow" immediately establishes the central figures of the parable. The sower represents Jesus Himself, or anyone who faithfully proclaims the message of God. The seed, as later clarified by Jesus in Matthew 13:19, symbolizes the "word of the kingdom" or the Gospel message.
  • Preparation for Understanding: Matthew 13:3 serves as the opening line, inviting the audience to consider the act of sowing, which will then lead into the crucial differences in the soil types (representing various responses to the Word).

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "parables" is parabolē (παραβολή), meaning "a placing alongside" or "comparison." This emphasizes that a parable is an analogy, drawing parallels between a familiar earthly concept and a spiritual truth. The term "sower" (ho speirōn, ὁ σπείρων) refers to the one who scatters seed, an everyday sight in agricultural societies of the time. The phrase "went forth to sow" signifies the active, deliberate nature of sharing the divine message.

Practical Application

For believers today, Matthew 13:3 serves as a powerful reminder of the origin and nature of the Gospel message. Just as a sower actively spreads seed, so too are we called to share the Good News of the Kingdom. This verse also implicitly encourages us to prepare our hearts to receive God's Word, understanding that the effectiveness of the seed is deeply connected to the receptivity of the "soil" – our spiritual condition. It sets the stage for self-examination: how do we hear and respond to the truth that is sown?

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Mark 4:2 (9 votes)

    And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,

  • Mark 4:9 (9 votes)

    And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

  • Mark 4:13 (6 votes)

    And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

  • Mark 4:33 (5 votes)

    And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear [it].

  • Luke 8:5 (5 votes)

    A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.

  • Luke 8:8 (5 votes)

    And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

  • Psalms 78:2 (5 votes)

    I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: