Matthew 13:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he told them many things in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow.

NIV: Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed.

NASB: And He told them many things in parables, saying, 'Behold, the sower went out to sow;

CSB: Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "Consider the sower who went out to sow.

NLT: He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: 'Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds.

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

NKJV: Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow.

The setting for this long teaching session to follow has been established. Jesus sits on a boat a little out from the shore of the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd stands on the beach to listen (Matthew 13:1–2). Matthew now reveals that Jesus will speak to them in "parables."

The word "parable" is a combination of the Greek words para and ballō, literally meaning "to throw alongside." Most parables are like sermon illustrations. They use some example or story from everyday life to bring to light the truth of an idea. Simply stating a spiritual idea is one thing; connecting it to a story makes it much easier to understand and remember. At the same time, parables—when not explicitly explained—can also disguise the full message. This is a point Jesus will make later in this very chapter (Matthew 13:10–11).

This raises an important caution about parables: it is tempting to read meanings into them which are not intended. Not every minute detail in a parable necessarily lines up with some exact point about the kingdom of heaven. Parables, by their very nature, are meant to give a general sense of an idea, not the tiniest details. For instance, this verse begins a parable about a person "sowing" seeds, which involves throwing or scattering them. However, this does not mean believers ought to randomly or casually "toss" the gospel into the world. Trying to read such minute detail out of a parable completely misses the point.

Teachers throughout the ages have used parables in their teaching. Many of Jesus' parables begin with the words "the kingdom of heaven is like…" So far in Matthew's gospel, the heart of Jesus' teaching has been that the kingdom of heaven is near. The parables serve several functions, but one is to give those who can understand a better idea of what Jesus means when He talks about the kingdom of heaven. Christ will interpret two of the parables for His disciples, to help them better understand their meaning and how to think about parables, in general.

The first of Jesus' parables in this chapter begins by introducing a seed-sower. Aside from the fishing industry, Galilee was an overwhelmingly rural and agricultural region. Those gathered on the beach listening would immediately have seen in their minds the picture of a sower, someone planting a field. He or she would carry seeds in a pouch (or perhaps in the folds of a garment). He would grab a handful of those seeds and toss them out across the field as he walked methodically to gain the maximum coverage.

Many of Jesus' parables describe agricultural settings. Elite teachers may not have been concerned with being understood by the common people. Jesus, though, uses language and images the common people will recognize.

Matthew 13 follows Jesus from the overcrowded house at the end of the previous chapter to a crowded beach on the Sea of Galilee. He teaches a large crowd in a series of parables, which He doesn't fully explain. However, He reveals their meaning to His disciples inside a nearby house. Jesus pictures the kingdom of heaven as a sower, a sabotaged field of wheat, a mustard seed, and a pearl dealer, among other things. He then travels to His original hometown of Nazareth where He is rejected by the people He grew up with. This leads Matthew back to depictions of Jesus' miracles, after sadly recording John the Baptist's death.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.