Matthew 13:38 (KJV)

What does Matthew 13:38 mean?

Matthew 13:38 explains that in Jesus’ parable, the “field” represents the world, the “good seed” stands for the children of God’s kingdom, and the “tares” (weeds) symbolize the children of the wicked one. Jesus is drawing a clear line between those who belong to God’s kingdom and those who belong to evil.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking privately to his disciples, explaining the meaning of the Parable of the Weeds. He uses everyday farming images to help his listeners understand spiritual truths. By identifying the field as the world and the seeds as people, Jesus makes it clear that the parable is about real people living among each other, not just plants in a field.

The Greek behind Matthew 13:38

• “Field” (ἀγρός, agros, G68) is used here to mean the whole world, not just a piece of land. This shows that Jesus’ teaching is about all people everywhere, not just a local group.
• “World” (κόσμος, kosmos, G2889) often means the whole created order or humanity. Here, it broadens the parable’s scope beyond Israel to everyone.
• “Good” (καλός, kalos, G2570) describes the seed as not just healthy but genuinely valuable and upright, emphasizing the positive character of the “children of the kingdom.”
• “Tares” (ζιζάνια, zizanion, G2215) refers to a specific kind of weed that looks like wheat but is harmful. This highlights how the children of the wicked one can appear similar to the children of the kingdom, at least for a time.

Why Matthew 13:38 matters

• Matthew 13:38 clarifies that the parable is not about the church alone but about the whole world, correcting a common misunderstanding.
• The verse emphasizes that good and evil people live side by side in the world, which sets up the rest of Jesus’ explanation about judgment and separation.
• By using the language of “children of the kingdom” and “children of the wicked one,” Jesus underlines the reality of two spiritual families, making the stakes of the parable clear.