Matthew 13:24 Meaning and Explanation
“Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The kingdom of heaven begins with a generous sower scattering good seed, and the good seed is His own.
The Context of Matthew 13:24
Jesus is teaching a great crowd by the Sea of Galilee, speaking in a series of parables. This opens the parable of the wheat and the weeds, which He explains privately to His disciples later in the chapter (verses 36 to 43).
What Does Matthew 13:24 Mean?
Jesus reaches for an image every listener knew: a farmer going out to sow his field. The whole work begins with him and with the goodness of the seed in his hand. There is nothing careless or stingy here; the man sows good seed in his own field, intending a good harvest. Jesus later explains that the sower is the Son of man and the good seed are the children of the kingdom. The kingdom of heaven starts not with our effort but with His giving, scattered freely across the world.
Before this parable speaks of weeds and patience, it speaks of a sower who is good and seed that is good. That is where the kingdom comes from. Jesus is the One who sows, and He plants His own life into the world and into us. Whatever grows in the long season ahead, it begins in His generosity. We are not the origin of the good in us; He is, and He tends what He has planted with care.
Matthew 13:24 in the Original Language
speiro (σπείρω), 'sowed' -- to scatter seed, to sow; the open-handed act that begins the harvest.
How to Apply Matthew 13:24 Today
Whatever good is taking root in our lives, this parable reminds us that Jesus is the one who planted it. We can rest in His generosity as the source, trusting the good Sower to tend and bring to harvest what He has begun in us.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 13:24
What does Matthew 13:24 mean?
The kingdom of heaven begins with a generous sower scattering good seed, and the good seed is His own.
What is the context of Matthew 13:24?
Jesus is teaching a great crowd by the Sea of Galilee, speaking in a series of parables. This opens the parable of the wheat and the weeds, which He explains privately to His disciples later in the chapter (verses 36 to 43).
How can I apply Matthew 13:24 today?
Whatever good is taking root in our lives, this parable reminds us that Jesus is the one who planted it. We can rest in His generosity as the source, trusting the good Sower to tend and bring to harvest what He has begun in us.