Matthew 13:24

English Revised Version

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

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
He presented another parable to them: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field.

King James Version (1611)
Another parable put he forth vnto them, saying; The kingdome of heauen is likened vnto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

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

English Standard Version
He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field,

New American Standard Bible
Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.

New Century Version
Then Jesus told them another story: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who planted good seed in his field.

Amplified Bible
Jesus gave them another parable [to consider], saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Another parable put hee foorth vnto them, saying, The kingdome of heauen is like vnto a man which sowed good seede in his fielde.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field.

Legacy Standard Bible
He presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field.

Berean Standard Bible
Jesus presented another parable to them: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.

Contemporary English Version
Jesus then told them this story: The kingdom of heaven is like what happened when a farmer scattered good seed in a field.

Complete Jewish Bible
Yeshua put before them another parable. "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;

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

Easy-to-Read Version
Then Jesus used another story to teach them. Jesus said, "God's kingdom is like a man who planted good seed in his field.

George Lamsa Translation
He related another parable to them, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.

Good News Translation
Jesus told them another parable: "The Kingdom of heaven is like this. A man sowed good seed in his field.

Lexham English Bible
He put before them another parable, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field.

Literal Translation
He put before them another parable, saying: The kingdom of Heaven is compared to a man sowing good seed in his fields.

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

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

Hebrew Names Version
He set another parable before them, saying, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field,

International Standard Version
He presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field.

Etheridge Translation
ANOTHER comparison he allegorized unto them, and said: The kingdom of heaven is like unto a man who sowed good seed in his field.

Murdock Translation
Another similitude he proposed to them, and said: The kingdom of heaven is like to a man who sowed good seed in his field.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Another parable put he foorth vnto them, saying: The kyngdome of heauen is likened vnto a man, which sowed good seede in his fielde.

World English Bible
He set another parable before them, saying, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field,

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
He proposed to them another parable, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a man sowing good seed in his field.

Weymouth's New Testament
Another parable He put before them. "The Kingdom of the Heavens," He said, "may be compared to a man who has sown good seed in his field,

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Anothir parable Jhesus puttide forth to hem, and seide, The kyngdom of heuenes is maad lijk to a man, that sewe good seed in his feld.

Update Bible Version
He set another parable before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened to a man that sowed good seed in his field:

Webster's Bible Translation
Another parable he proposed to them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field:

New English Translation
He presented them with another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a person who sowed good seed in his field.

New King James Version
Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;

New Living Translation
Here is another story Jesus told: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field.

New Life Bible
Jesus told them another picture-story. He said, "The holy nation of heaven is like a man who planted good seed in his field.

New Revised Standard
He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field;

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Another parable, put he before them, saying - The kingdom of the heavens hath become like a man sowing good seed in his field;

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

Revised Standard Version
Another parable he put before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field;

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Another similitude put he forth vnto the sayinge: The kyngdome of heve is lyke vnto a man which sowed good seed in his felde.

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

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Another parable put he forth vnto the, & sayde: The kyngdome of heaue is like vnto a man, yt sowed good sede in his felde.

Mace New Testament (1729)
Another parable he propos'd to them in these words. the state of the gospel in this world may be compar'd to a man who sowed good grain in his field:

THE MESSAGE
He told another story. "God's kingdom is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. That night, while his hired men were asleep, his enemy sowed thistles all through the wheat and slipped away before dawn. When the first green shoots appeared and the grain began to form, the thistles showed up, too.

Simplified Cowboy Version
Here's another cowboy story that Jesus told. "God's Green Pasture is like a rancher that had a herd of registered Angus cattle.

Contextual Overview

²⁴ Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man that sowed good seed in his field: ²⁵ but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares also among the wheat, and went away. ²⁶ But when the blade sprang up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. ²⁷ And the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? whence then hath it tares? ²⁸ And he said unto them, An enemy hath done this. And the servants say unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? ²⁹ But he saith, Nay; lest haply while ye gather up the tares, ye root up the wheat with them. ³⁰ Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather up first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. ³¹ Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: ³² which indeed is less than all seeds; but when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the heaven come and lodge in the branches thereof. ³³ Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till it was all leavened.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

put: Matthew 21:33, Judges 14:12, Judges 14:13, Isaiah 28:10, Isaiah 28:13, Ezekiel 17:2

The kingdom: Matthew 13:33, Matthew 13:44, Matthew 13:45, Matthew 13:47, Matthew 3:2, Matthew 20:1, Matthew 22:2, Matthew 25:1, Mark 4:30, Luke 13:18, Luke 13:20

good: Matthew 13:19, Matthew 13:37, Matthew 4:23, Colossians 1:5, 1 Peter 1:23

Reciprocal: Genesis 1:12 - herb Matthew 4:17 - kingdom Matthew 13:31 - put Matthew 18:23 - is Mark 4:26 - as Luke 8:5 - sower

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying,.... Somewhat like the former, but with a different view: for whereas the design of the former was to show the different sorts of hearers that attend upon the ministry of the word, three parts in four being bad; this is to show the difference of members in churches, some being comparable to good seed, and others to tares.

The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: by "the kingdom of heaven", is not meant the ultimate glory of the saints in heaven, or the state of happiness in the other world; for there will be no tares there; nor the Gospel, and the ministration of it, but the Gospel dispensation, and times, and kingdom of the Messiah; or rather the Gospel visible church state, on earth, called a "kingdom", of which Christ is king, and in which the saints are subject to him; where proper laws are made for the orderly government of it, and proper officers appointed to explain, and put those laws in execution; and which consists of various persons, united under one head, and independent of any other government: and it is styled the kingdom of heaven, in distinction from the kingdoms of this world; the subjects of it are, or should be, heaven born souls; the word, laws, and ordinances of it are from heaven; and there is some resemblance between a Gospel church state and heaven, and it is very near unto it, and is even the suburbs of it: or else the king Messiah himself is intended, who is compared to a man, a sower; and so it is explained, Matthew 13:37 "he that soweth the good seed is the son of man": which is a name and title of the Messiah, by which he is called both in the Old and New Testament; who, though the seed of the woman, yet was the son of man, as of Abraham, and David; and which denotes the truth, and yet the infirmity of his human nature: he is the sower that went about preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, in the Jewish world, or throughout Judea and Galilee, in his own person: and who also, by the ministry of his apostles, sowed the seed of the word in the several parts of the world, which was made effectual for the beginning of a good work of grace on the souls of many; for by "his field" is meant "the world", as appears from Matthew 13:38 and means either the whole world, in which both good and bad men live and dwell; and is the field Christ is the proprietor of, both by creation, as God, and by gift, as mediator: or the church, the visible Gospel church state throughout the world; which is as a field well tilled and manured; and is Christ's by gift, purchase, and grace: and by the good seed sown in it, are meant "the children of the kingdom"; as is said, Matthew 13:38 such as have a good work begun in them, and bring forth good fruit in their lives and conversations.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The kingdom of heaven is likened ... - That is, the “gospel resembles.” The kingdom of heaven (see the notes at Matthew 3:2) means here the effect of the gospel by its being preached. The meaning of this parable is plain. The field represents the “world,” in which the gospel is preached. The “good seed,” the truths preached by Christ and his apostles.

Matthew 13:25

While men slept, his enemy came ... - That is, “in the night,” when it could be done without being seen, an enemy came and scattered bad seed on the new-plowed field, perhaps before the good seed had been harrowed in.

Satan thus sows false doctrine in darkness. In the very place where the truth is preached, and while the hearts of people are open to receive it, by false but plausible teachers he takes care to inculcate false sentiments. Often it is one of his arts, in a revival of religion, to spread secretly dangerous notions of piety. Multitudes are persuaded that they are Christians who are deceived. They are awakened, convicted, and alarmed. They take this for conversion. Or they find their burden gone; they fancy that they hear a voice; or a text of Scripture is “brought” to them, saying that their sins are forgiven; or they see Christ hanging on the cross in a vision; or they dream that their sins are pardoned, and they suppose they are Christians. But they are deceived. None of these things are any conclusive evidence of piety. All these may exist, and still there be no true love to God or Christ, and no real hatred of sin and change of heart. An enemy may do it to deceive them, and to bring dishonor on religion.

Sowed tares - By “tares” is probably meant a degenerate kind of wheat, or the darnel-grass growing in Palestine. In its growth and form it has a strong resemblance to genuine wheat; but it either produces no grain, or that of a very inferior and hurtful kind. Probably it comes near to what we mean by “chess.” It was extremely difficult to separate it from the genuine wheat, on account of its similarity while growing.

“The tare abounds all over the East, and is a great nuisance to the farmer. It resembles the American “cheat (chess),” but the “head” does not droop like cheat, nor does it branch out like oats. The grain, also, is smaller, and is arranged along the upper part of the stalk, which stands perfectly erect. The “taste” is bitter, and when eaten separately, or even when diffused in ordinary bread, it causes dizziness, and often acts as a violent emetic. Barn-door fowls also become dizzy from eating it. In short, it is a strong soporific poison, and must be carefully winnowed, and picked out of the wheat grain by grain, before grinding, or the flour is not healthy. Even the farmers, who in this country generally “weed” their fields, do not attempt to separate the one from the other. They would not only mistake good grain for them, but very commonly the roots of the two are so intertwined that it is impossible to separate them without plucking up both. Both, therefore, must be left to “grow together” until the time of harvest.” - (Thomson) “The Land and the Book,” vol. ii. pp. 111, 112. Thus, “tares” aptly represented hypocrites in the church. Strongly resembling Christians in their experience, and, in some respects, their lives it is impossible to distinguish them from genuine Christians, nor can they be separated until it is done by the Great Searcher of hearts at the day of judgment. An enemy the devil hath done it. And nowhere has he shown profounder cunning, or done more to adulterate the purity of the gospel.

And went his way - There is something very expressive in this. He knew the soil; he knew how the seed would take root and grow. He had only to sow the seed and let it alone. So Satan knows the soil in which he sows his doctrine. He knows that in the human heart it will take deep and rapid root. It needs but little culture. Grace needs constant attendance and care. Error, and sin, and hypocrisy are the native products of the human heart, and, when left alone, start up with deadly luxuriancy.

Matthew 13:26

Then appeared the tares also - That is, then the tares were “first discovered.” They had grown with the wheat, but were so much like it as not to be noticed until the wheat began to ripen.

So true piety and false hopes are not known by professions, by “blades,” and leaves, and flowers, but by the fruit.

Matthew 13:29

Ye root up also the wheat - They so much resembled the true wheat that even then it would be difficult to separate them.

By gathering them, they would tread down the wheat, loosen and disturb the earth, and greatly injure the crop. In the harvest it could be done without injury.

Matthew 13:30

Let both grow together - They would not spoil the true wheat, and in time of harvest it would be easy to separate them.

Our Saviour teaches us here:

1. That hypocrites and deceived persons must be expected in the church.
2. That this is the work of the enemy of man. They are not the work of Christianity any more than traitors are of patriotism, or counterfeiters are of the proper effect of legislating about money. They belong to the world, and hypocrisy is only one form of sin. The Christian religion never “made” a hypocrite, nor is there a hypocrite on the earth whose principles and practice it does not condemn.
3. That all hope of removing them entirely would be vain.
4. That an “attempt” to remove them altogether would injure real Christianity, by causing excitements, discord, and hard feelings even among Christians.
5. That Christ will himself separate them at the proper time. There is no doubt that it is the duty of the church to keep itself pure, and to cut off gross and manifest offenders, 1 Corinthians 5:4-5; but the Saviour refers here to those who may be “suspected” of hypocrisy, but against whom it cannot be proved; to those who so successfully imitate Christians as to make it difficult or impossible for man to distinguish them.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Matthew 13:24. The kingdom of heaven — God's method of managing the affairs of the world, and the concerns of his Church.

Is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field — In general, the world may be termed the field of God; and in particular, those who profess to believe in God through Christ are his field or farm; among whom God sows nothing but the pure unadulterated word of his truth.