Bible Strands
Matthew 13:3
And He told them many things in parables, saying, “A farmer went out to sow his seed.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses a large crowd gathered on the shore while He sits in a boat. He begins teaching them through a series of parables, introducing the first one about a sower.
The words — The Greek verb ἐλάλησεν (elalēsen) literally means "He spoke," and παραβολαῖς (parabolais) translates to "parables." Jesus uses these forms to deliver many things to the listeners.
The thread — This teaching method parallels Mark 4:2, where Jesus also teaches crowds in parables, and echoes the Old Testament pattern in Psalms 78:2 of opening the mouth in parables to reveal hidden truths. Jesus later questions the disciples in Mark 4:13 about their understanding of this specific parable.
Why it lands — The text presents a concrete agricultural scene that requires the listener to recognize the pattern of seed distribution and its varied results. It demands careful attention to how the message is received rather than merely hearing the words.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
Cross-references
- Mark 4:2 And He taught them many things in parables, and in His teaching He said,
- Psalms 78:2 I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning,
- Mark 4:13 Then Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables?
- 2 Samuel 12:1 Then the LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he arrived, he said, “There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor.
- Ezekiel 24:3 Now speak a parable to this rebellious house and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Put the pot on the fire; put it on and pour in the water.
- Matthew 13:10 Then the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why do You speak to the people in parables?”
- Matthew 13:34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables. He did not tell them anything without using a parable.
- Matthew 13:53 When Jesus had finished these parables, He withdrew from that place.
- Mark 4:33 With many such parables Jesus spoke the word to them, to the extent that they could understand.
- Judges 9:8 One day the trees set out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’