Matthew 13:27 (KJV)

What does Matthew 13:27 mean?

Matthew 13:27 describes the servants of a landowner coming to him in surprise and concern, asking why there are weeds (“tares”) in the field when he had sown only good seed. The verse highlights their confusion about how something harmful appeared among what was meant to be good.

In this scene, Jesus is telling a parable to a crowd. The “servants” are speaking to the “householder,” or master of the field, after discovering that weeds have grown up among the wheat. Their question shows they expected only good results from good actions, and they are puzzled by the presence of something bad where only good was intended.

The Greek behind Matthew 13:27

• “servants” (δοῦλοι, douloi): This word means “slaves” or “servants,” emphasizing those who work under the authority of the householder. It shows their role as caretakers, not owners.
• “householder” (οἰκοδεσπότης, oikodespotēs): This term means “master of the house” or “landowner,” pointing to the one responsible for the field and its condition.
• “tares” (ζιζάνια, zizanía): This Greek word refers to a specific kind of weed, likely darnel, which looks very similar to wheat when young. This detail makes the servants’ confusion more understandable, as the weeds would be hard to spot until they grew.

Why Matthew 13:27 matters

• Matthew 13:27 helps clarify that the presence of evil or trouble in the world is not always easy to explain, even when good intentions are present; it sets up the deeper meaning of the parable about the coexistence of good and evil.
• The verse draws attention to the servants’ expectation that good actions should only produce good results, a theme that challenges simple assumptions about cause and effect in life.
• By showing the servants’ confusion, Matthew 13:27 prepares readers for Jesus’ later explanation about the source of the weeds, which addresses questions about why bad things happen even in places meant for good.