Matthew 13:8

But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

But {G1161} other {G243} fell {G4098} into {G1909} good {G2570} ground {G1093}, and {G2532} brought forth {G1325} fruit {G2590}, some {G3739}{G3303} an hundredfold {G1540},{G1161} some {G3739} sixtyfold {G1835},{G1161} some {G3739} thirtyfold {G5144}.

But others fell into rich soil and produced grain, a hundred or sixty or thirty times as much as had been sown.

Still other seed fell on good soil and produced a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.

and others fell upon the good ground, and yielded fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Matthew 13:8 is a pivotal verse within Jesus's Parable of the Sower, describing the most desirable outcome of the seed sown. After detailing how some seed fell on unproductive ground (wayside, stony, thorny), this verse focuses on the success story: the seed that found fertile soil and yielded abundant harvest.

Context

This verse is part of a series of parables Jesus taught to large crowds by the Sea of Galilee, designed to reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. The Parable of the Sower (also known as the Parable of the Soils) illustrates different responses to the preaching of God's Word. In ancient Israel, agricultural life was central, and listeners would have immediately understood the imagery of a sower casting seed by hand across various types of terrain. The "good ground" represents a heart prepared to receive, understand, and obey the divine message.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Receptivity and Understanding: The "good ground" symbolizes a heart that not only hears the word of God but genuinely understands and embraces it. This contrasts sharply with the other soils which represent indifference, superficiality, or worldly distractions.
  • Spiritual Fruitfulness: The primary outcome of the good ground is the production of "fruit" (Greek: karpon). This signifies spiritual growth, righteous living, obedience to God's commands, and the positive impact of a transformed life. It's not just about hearing, but about living out the truth.
  • Varying Degrees of Abundance: The mention of "an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold" highlights that while all good ground produces fruit, the yield can vary. This teaches that spiritual productivity is not uniform, but all genuine receptivity leads to some measure of fruit, often exceeding normal agricultural expectations and signifying divine blessing and abundant return.

Linguistic Insights

The term "good ground" translates from the Greek kalēn gēn (καλὴν γῆν), where kalēn signifies not just physically good, but also beautiful, noble, and morally excellent. This implies a heart that is not only fertile but also upright and willing. The phrase "brought forth fruit" (ἐδίδου καρπόν - edidou karpon) emphasizes the active, continuous process of yielding spiritual results, which is the ultimate goal of the seed (the word of God) being sown.

Related Scriptures

This verse finds its full explanation in Jesus's own interpretation of the parable found in Matthew 13:23, where He states that the good ground represents "he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." The concept of spiritual fruitfulness is also central to other New Testament teachings, such as the fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians 5:22-23, and Jesus's teaching on abiding in Him to bear much fruit in John 15:5.

Practical Application

Matthew 13:8 challenges us to examine the condition of our own hearts. Am I "good ground" for God's Word? Am I truly hearing, understanding, and allowing the Word to take root and transform my life, leading to visible spiritual fruit? This verse encourages believers to cultivate a receptive heart, free from the distractions and hindrances that prevent spiritual growth. It reminds us that while God sows His Word generously, our response determines its impact and our capacity to bring glory to Him through a fruitful life.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Luke 8:15

    But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep [it], and bring forth fruit with patience.

  • Matthew 13:23

    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.

  • John 15:8

    Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

  • Genesis 26:12

    ¶ Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.

  • Philippians 1:11

    Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

  • Galatians 5:22

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

  • Galatians 5:23

    Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

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