Devine Scripture

Matthew 13:3

What does Matthew 13:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 13:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 13:3 means

Here Jesus begins teaching ‘many things in parables,’ starting with the Parable of the Sower. The phrasing signals a shift from other forms of teaching to parabolic storytelling. Parables are short, potent stories that invite reflection. By saying “Behold, the sower went forth to sow,” Jesus introduces a common rural scene to illustrate spiritual realities. The simple image prepares listeners to observe different reactions to the same message—how people respond to God’s word varies widely.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he spake to them many things in parables, saying, Behold, the sower went forth to sow;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he spake to them many things in parables, saying, Behold, the sower went forth to sow;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he gave them teaching in the form of a story, saying, A man went out to put seed in the earth;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he spake to them many things in similes, saying: `Lo, the sower went forth to sow,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he spoke to them many things in parables, saying: Behold the sower went forth to sow.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he spoke to them many things in parables, saying, Behold, the sower went out to sow:

Context

This verse launches the chapter’s primary method—parables—and the first major parable. It follows the crowd’s gathering and sets expectations: listeners will hear layered stories that reveal truths about the Kingdom of Heaven and human reception of divine truth.

v.2And there were gathered unto him great multitudes, so that he entered into a boat, and sat; and all the multitude stood on the beach.

v.3This passage

v.4and as he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the birds came and devoured them:

Cross references

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

  • Luke 8:10

    And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to the rest in parables; that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.

  • Ezekiel 20:49

    Then said I, Ah Lord Jehovah! they say of me, Is he not a speaker of parables?

  • Isaiah 5:1

    Let me sing for my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved had a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:

  • Mark 12:12

    And they sought to lay hold on him; and they feared the multitude; for they perceived that he spake the parable against them: and they left him, and went away.

  • Judges 9:8

    The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive-tree, Reign thou over us.

  • Matthew 13:53

    And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.

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