Matthew 13:3 Meaning and Explanation
“And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus begins teaching in parables, opening with the picture of a sower going out to scatter seed.
What Does Matthew 13:3 Mean?
This is the first of seven kingdom parables in the chapter. Jesus turns to a storytelling method drawn from common life: a farmer walking his field, casting seed by hand. Everyone in the crowd had seen such a sower.
A parable lays an everyday picture beside a heavenly reality so the truth can be both hidden and revealed. With the single word Behold, Jesus invites careful attention. The kingdom of God will not come by force or spectacle but like seed quietly sown, and the listener is being asked to consider what kind of ground their own heart will prove to be.
Matthew 13:3 in the Original Language
parabolē (παραβολή), 'parable' -- a comparison set alongside, an earthly story laid beside a heavenly meaning.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 13:3
What does Matthew 13:3 mean?
Jesus begins teaching in parables, opening with the picture of a sower going out to scatter seed.