Devine Scripture

Matthew 13:38

What does Matthew 13:38 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 13:38 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 13:38 means

Jesus explains the field is the world; the good seed are the sons of the kingdom; the tares are the sons of the evil one. This mapping clarifies that the parable addresses the global situation: God’s people coexist with those aligned with evil until the end. ‘Sons’ language denotes belonging and character rather than mere ancestry. The verse underscores the reality of spiritual families—those formed by allegiance to God or to the evil one—coexisting in the world God intends to redeem.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the field is the world; and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom; and the evil seeds are the sons of the Evil One;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the field is the world, and the good seed, these are the sons of the reign, and the darnel are the sons of the evil one,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the field is the world. And the good seed are the children of the kingdom. And the cockle are the children of the wicked one.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom, but the darnel are the sons of the evil [one];

Context

This verse continues the private interpretation, assigning cosmic and social dimensions to the parable. It follows Jesus’ self-identification as sower and leads into naming the enemy and the harvest, completing the symbolic scheme for the disciples to grasp the eschatological implications.

v.37And he answered and said, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;

v.38This passage

v.39and the enemy that sowed them is the devil: and the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are angels.

Cross references

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

  • Acts 13:10

    and said, O full of all guile and all villany, thou son of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

  • Matthew 13:19

    When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the evil one, and snatcheth away that which hath been sown in his heart. This is he that was sown by the way side.

  • Romans 8:17

    and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him.

  • Matthew 24:14

    And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a testimony unto all the nations; and then shall the end come.

  • Psalms 22:30

    A seed shall serve him; It shall be told of the Lord unto the next generation.

  • Zechariah 10:8

    I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them; and they shall increase as they have increased.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Matthew 13

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Matthew 13.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Matthew 13:38.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary