But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

MATTHEW 13:8KJV
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Matthew 13:8 (KJV)

What does Matthew 13:8 mean?

Matthew 13:8 describes how some seeds in Jesus’ parable fell on “good ground” and produced a large harvest—some a hundred times, some sixty, and some thirty times what was sown. The verse highlights that, under the right conditions, the message Jesus is talking about can lead to a remarkable and varied amount of growth or positive result.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to a crowd using a story about a farmer sowing seeds. The “good ground” represents people who receive his message well, and the different amounts of fruit show that not everyone responds in the same way or to the same degree. The focus is on the potential for great and varied results when the message is truly received.

The Greek behind Matthew 13:8

  • γῆ (gē, “ground”): This word means “earth” or “soil.” Here, it emphasizes the quality of the place where the seed lands, pointing to a receptive and fertile environment.
  • καρπός (karpos, “fruit”): This word means “fruit” or “produce.” In the parable, it stands for the visible result or outcome of receiving the message.
  • ἑκατονταπλασίων (hekatontaplasion, “hundredfold”), ἑξηκονταπλασίων (hexēkontaplasion, “sixtyfold”), τριακονταπλασίων (triakontaplasion, “thirtyfold”): These words describe the size of the harvest. The Greek makes clear that the results can be abundant but not uniform, highlighting a range of possible outcomes.

Why Matthew 13:8 matters

  • Matthew 13:8 helps clear up the idea that everyone who hears Jesus’ message will respond in the same way or with the same results; the verse shows that genuine acceptance can lead to different levels of visible change or impact.
  • The verse draws attention to the importance of the “ground”—the condition of the listener’s heart or life—rather than just the act of hearing.
  • This verse connects to the wider parable by setting up the explanation Jesus gives later, where he clarifies what each type of soil represents in real life.

Where else these words appear

“sixtyfold” Greek G1835 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
  • Mark 4:20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
  • 1 Timothy 5:9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,

“thirtyfold” Greek G5144 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
  • Matthew 27:9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;
  • Luke 3:23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being(as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,

“hundredfold” Greek G1540 · used in 17 verses

  • Matthew 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
  • Mark 6:40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.
  • John 21:11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.

“fruit” Greek G2590 · used in 56 verses

  • Matthew 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
  • Luke 1:42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
  • Acts 2:30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;