And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

MATTHEW 13:3KJV
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Matthew 13:3 (KJV)

What does Matthew 13:3 mean?

Matthew 13:3 describes Jesus speaking to a crowd using parables, beginning with the story of a sower who goes out to plant seeds. This verse introduces the method Jesus uses to teach spiritual truths by comparing them to everyday activities familiar to his listeners.

In this setting, Jesus is addressing a large group of people gathered to hear him. He chooses to use "parables," which are simple stories with deeper meanings, to help his audience understand spiritual lessons. The mention of a "sower" starting his work sets the stage for one of Jesus' most well-known teachings about how people respond differently to God's message.

The Greek behind Matthew 13:3

  • παραβολαῖς (parabolais, "parables"): This word refers to stories or comparisons used to illustrate a point. In Greek, it often carries the sense of placing something "side by side" for comparison, which highlights how Jesus uses familiar situations to reveal deeper truths.
  • ἰδοὺ (idou, "Behold"): This word is a call for attention, similar to saying "Look!" or "Pay attention!" It signals that what follows is important and worth noticing.
  • ἐξῆλθεν (exēlthen, "went forth"): This verb means "to go out" or "to depart." It emphasizes the action of the sower leaving his usual place to begin the work of sowing, which can hint at intentional effort or purpose.

Why Matthew 13:3 matters

  • Matthew 13:3 marks the beginning of Jesus’ use of parables, which becomes a major teaching method in this chapter and throughout his ministry.
  • The focus on a sower going out to sow prepares the reader for the lesson about different responses to Jesus’ message, which unfolds in the following verses.
  • Understanding the use of parables helps clarify why Jesus sometimes taught in ways that were not immediately obvious, encouraging listeners to think more deeply about his words.

Where else these words appear

“sower” Greek G4687 · used in 42 verses

  • Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
  • Matthew 25:24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
  • Luke 19:22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:

“parables” Greek G3850 · used in 48 verses

  • Matthew 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
  • Mark 3:23 And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?
  • Luke 8:9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?