Matthew 13

Matthew 13 records a series of parables Jesus spoke to the crowds, using everyday images and stories to convey spiritual truths about the kingdom of heaven. These parables include the Parable of the Sower, the Wheat and the Tares, the Mustard Seed, and others. Through these teachings, Jesus revealed the nature of God’s kingdom, the response of different hearts to the gospel, and the eventual triumph of God’s plan.

Matthew 13:1-2 (NKJV)
1 On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea.
2 And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

Jesus leaves the house and sits by the sea, drawing a large crowd. To address them effectively, He steps into a boat, creating a natural amphitheater with the shore as His audience space. This setting highlights the popularity of Jesus’ teachings and His willingness to adapt to reach as many people as possible. The sea setting also foreshadows the expansive nature of the truths He’s about to share about the kingdom.

Matthew 13:3 (NKJV)
3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow.”

Jesus begins His teachings in parables, a method that uses simple stories to reveal profound spiritual truths. By likening the kingdom of God to a farmer sowing seeds, Jesus draws on a common activity in His listeners’ lives. This parable format serves to engage the audience’s curiosity, prompting them to seek deeper understanding of God’s kingdom.

Matthew 13:4-9 (NKJV)
4 And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.
5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth.
6 But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away.
7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them.
8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
9 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

Jesus describes different kinds of soil where the seeds fall, representing various responses to the message of the kingdom. Seeds eaten by birds, withered by heat, or choked by thorns represent those who do not fully accept or nurture God’s word due to external pressures or lack of commitment. Only the good soil yields a fruitful harvest, symbolizing receptive hearts that produce spiritual growth. The invitation to “hear” calls for reflection on one’s openness to God’s word.

Matthew 13:10-11 (NKJV)
10 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”
11 He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.”

The disciples ask Jesus why He speaks to the people in parables, and He explains that He uses parables because while the crowds have ears to hear, they do not truly understand, and their hearts are not open to the message. Jesus contrasts the crowds' inability to comprehend with the disciples, to whom the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven are revealed. The parables serve to reveal deeper truths to those who are receptive and seeking, while simultaneously concealing those truths from those who are indifferent or unwilling to listen. This distinction underscores the principle that understanding spiritual truths requires openness and a willingness to engage with God’s message.

Matthew 13:12-13 (NKJV)
12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.

Jesus explains that spiritual insight grows with a responsive heart, while a closed heart loses even basic understanding. Those who accept and act on truth gain more spiritual insight, while those who resist lose even their limited knowledge. The use of parables separates true seekers from casual listeners, highlighting the importance of openness to divine revelation.

Matthew 13:14-15 (NKJV)
14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:
‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand,
And seeing you will see and not perceive;
15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
Their ears are hard of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed,
Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.’

Jesus refers to Isaiah’s prophecy, which foresaw the hard-heartedness of the people. Their dull hearts, closed ears, and shut eyes prevent them from grasping spiritual truths. This inability to understand stems from a refusal to repent and seek God, showing that true healing and insight come only to those willing to open their hearts to God’s ways.

Matthew 13:16-17 (NKJV)
16 But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear;
17 for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

Jesus commends His disciples for their spiritual perception, acknowledging their privilege in witnessing the fulfillment of God’s promises. Generations of prophets and faithful people anticipated the Messiah but did not see or hear Him. This moment marks a unique blessing for the disciples, as they live in a time of God’s revealed kingdom.

Matthew 13:18-23 (NKJV)
18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower:
19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.
20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;
21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

Jesus explains the Parable of the Sower, revealing how different people respond to the gospel based on the condition of their hearts. The seed sown on the path represents those who hear the message but do not seek to understand it, and because of their refusal to engage with the truth, the devil quickly takes away what was sown in their hearts. The seed on rocky ground symbolizes those who initially receive the message with joy but fall away when faced with trouble or persecution because they have no deep root. The seed among thorns represents those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. Finally, the seed that falls on good soil represents those who hear, understand, and accept the message, allowing it to take root and bear fruit in varying degrees. This parable emphasizes that the reception of the gospel depends on one's willingness to engage with and respond to the message, with those who are open and receptive bearing lasting fruit, while others reject or are distracted by worldly concerns.

Matthew 13:24-30 (NKJV)
24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;
25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.
26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared.
27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’
28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’
29 But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”

Jesus shares the Parable of the Weeds, in which a man sows good seed (wheat) in his field, but while everyone sleeps, his enemy sows weeds (tares) among the wheat. As both the wheat and the weeds begin to grow, the servants ask the master if they should pull up the weeds, but he advises against it, saying that pulling the weeds too early might uproot some of the wheat as well. He instructs them to let both grow together until the harvest, when the weeds will be gathered and burned, while the wheat will be stored in the barn. This parable illustrates how good and evil coexist in the world, with the righteous (wheat) and the wicked (weeds) living side by side. God allows this temporary mixture to run its course because, if judgment were to be enacted prematurely, even those who might repent later (the wheat) could be harmed. The parable highlights God’s patience, giving space for repentance and time for evil to reach its full measure. Ultimately, at the time of the final judgment, the wicked will be separated from the righteous, with the wicked facing punishment and the righteous receiving their reward. This emphasizes God’s wisdom in allowing sin and evil to run their course for a time, trusting in the eventual and perfect judgment at the end of the age.

Matthew 13:31-32 (NKJV)
31 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field,
32 which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”

Jesus tells the Parable of the Mustard Seed, comparing the kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed that, though the smallest of all seeds, grows into a large tree where birds can come and rest in its branches. This parable illustrates the power of the gospel message, which, although simple and humble at first—believing on Him whom God has sent—has the power to transform lives. Just as the mustard seed grows into a large tree, the gospel takes root in the hearts of those who embrace it, and through Christ, they are empowered to live new lives and make lasting changes. The message of Christ may start small, but its impact is immense, causing spiritual growth and maturity over time. Even when we share the gospel in small ways, God can use those efforts to bring about great transformation, reminding us not to underestimate the power of what seems insignificant. Believing in Christ, the heart of the gospel, gives us the strength to grow and bear fruit, and through His power, we become part of something far greater than we could have imagined.

Matthew 13:33 (NKJV)
33 Another parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.”

Here, Jesus likens the kingdom of heaven to leaven, or yeast, which transforms dough from within. Just as a small amount of leaven permeates the entire batch, so the kingdom of God spreads and influences the world quietly yet powerfully. This parable reveals the transformative power of God’s presence in individuals and communities, growing until it changes everything it touches.

Matthew 13:34-35 (NKJV)
34 All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them,
35 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:
“I will open My mouth in parables;
I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.”

Matthew notes that Jesus consistently taught in parables, fulfilling prophecy from Psalm 78:2. Through parables, Jesus reveals hidden truths that have been concealed since creation. These stories invite people to reflect deeply, allowing spiritual seekers to uncover profound insights, while others hear but remain unmoved. This style of teaching aligns with God’s purpose to unveil mysteries to those receptive to His word.

Matthew 13:36-43 (NKJV)
36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.”
37 He answered and said to them: “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.
38 The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one.
39 The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels.
40 Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age.
41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness,
42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
43 Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

Jesus explains the Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds, which He had told earlier in Matthew 13:24-30. In His explanation, Jesus clarifies that the sower of the good seed is the Son of Man (Jesus), the good seed represents the people of God's kingdom, and the weeds are the people of the evil one, sown by the enemy (Satan). The field symbolizes the world, and the harvest at the end of the age refers to the final judgment. At that time, the angels will separate the wicked (the weeds) and cast them into the fiery furnace, while the righteous (the wheat) will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Jesus urges those who have ears to hear to understand, highlighting that although the righteous and the wicked coexist now, God will ultimately bring about a just separation at the final judgment. This passage reinforces the patience of God, the certainty of divine justice, and the ultimate triumph of the righteous in God's kingdom.

Matthew 13:44 (NKJV)
44 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”

In this parable, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a hidden treasure of immense value. Upon discovering it, the man sells everything to acquire the field containing it. This illustrates the surpassing worth of God’s kingdom, which is worth any sacrifice. The man’s joy in finding the treasure highlights the fulfillment and purpose that comes from prioritizing God above all else.

Matthew 13:45-46 (NKJV)
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls,
46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

Here, the kingdom of heaven is likened to a priceless pearl, eagerly sought by a merchant. Upon finding it, the merchant sells all his possessions to obtain it. This parable conveys the supreme value of God’s kingdom and the need to recognize its worth. Like the merchant, those who truly understand the kingdom’s significance will willingly give up everything to gain it.

Matthew 13:47-50 (NKJV)
47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind,
48 which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away.
49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just,
50 and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

This parable compares the kingdom to a fishing net that catches all kinds of fish. At the end of the age, angels will separate the righteous from the wicked, similar to fishermen sorting their catch. The righteous are preserved, while the wicked face judgment. This final separation reminds listeners of the importance of spiritual readiness for God’s judgment and the eternal consequences of one’s choices.

Matthew 13:51-52 (NKJV)
51 Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”
52 Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”

After teaching in parables, Jesus ensures His disciples understand His messages. He compares a knowledgeable scribe to a homeowner who shares both new and old treasures, symbolizing the blending of past knowledge with fresh revelations. Those trained in the kingdom share a rich understanding, drawing from both old truths and new insights to instruct others about God’s will.

Matthew 13:53-58 (NKJV)
53 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there.
54 When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?
55 Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?
56 And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?”
57 So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.”
58 Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

Jesus returns to His hometown, where the people are astonished by His wisdom and miracles. However, familiarity breeds skepticism as they question His authority, focusing on His family background. Jesus points out that a prophet often lacks honor among those who know him best. Due to their lack of faith, He performs few miracles there, highlighting the link between faith and experiencing God’s power.