Devine Scripture

Matthew 13:24

What does Matthew 13:24 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 13:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 13:24 means

Jesus introduces another parable likening the kingdom to a man sowing good seed in his field. This opening image establishes positive intent: the owner sows good seed—God’s gracious action in establishing his kingdom. The field becomes a scene of both blessing and conflict to follow. The verse prepares the listener for a story addressing the coexistence of good and evil in God’s world, and for the unfolding resolution that only at harvest will judgment and separation occur.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man that sowed good seed in his field:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man that sowed good seed in his field:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he gave them another story, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a man who put good seed in his field:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Another simile he set before them, saying: `The reign of the heavens was likened to a man sowing good seed in his field,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Another parable he proposed to them, saying: The kingdom of heaven is likened to a man that sowed good seed in his field.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of the heavens has become like a man sowing good seed in his field;

Context

This parable begins a sequence that tackles the problem of evil within God’s creation. It follows the Sower parable’s concern with varied reception and now addresses the communal reality: the kingdom grows amid opposition. The next verses explain how tares appear among wheat, raising questions about immediate separation versus postponed judgment.

v.23And he that was sown upon the good ground, this is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; who verily beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

v.24This passage

v.25but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares also among the wheat, and went away.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 21:33

    Hear another parable: There was a man that was a householder, who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country.

  • Matthew 4:23

    And Jesus went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of disease and all manner of sickness among the people.

  • Matthew 13:47

    Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

  • 1 Peter 1:23

    having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which liveth and abideth.

  • Judges 14:12

    And Samson said unto them, Let me now put forth a riddle unto you: if ye can declare it unto me within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty changes of raiment;

  • Luke 13:20

    And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?

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