Matthew 13:23
New International Version
But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

New Living Translation
The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

English Standard Version
As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

Berean Standard Bible
But the seed sown on good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and produces a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.”

Berean Literal Bible
But the one having been sown on the good soil, this is the one hearing the word and understanding, who indeed brings forth fruit and produces--indeed, some a hundredfold, and some sixty, and some thirty."

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

New American Standard Bible
But the one sown with seed on the good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces, some a hundred, some sixty, and some thirty times as much.

NASB 1995
“And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.”

NASB 1977
“And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit, and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.”

Amplified Bible
And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands and grasps it; he indeed bears fruit and yields, some a hundred times [as much as was sown], some sixty [times as much], and some thirty.”

Christian Standard Bible
But the one sown on the good ground—this is one who hears and understands the word, who does produce fruit and yields: some a hundred, some sixty, some thirty times what was sown.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But the one sown on the good ground—this is one who hears and understands the word, who does bear fruit and yields: some 100, some 60, some 30 times what was sown.”

American Standard Version
And he that was sown upon the good ground, this is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; who verily beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Contemporary English Version
The seeds that fell on good ground are the people who hear and understand the message. They produce as much as 100 or 60 or 30 times what was planted.

English Revised Version
And he that was sown upon the good ground, this is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; who verily beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But the seed planted on good ground [is the person who] hears and understands the word. This type produces crops. They produce one hundred, sixty, or thirty times as much as was planted."

Good News Translation
And the seeds sown in the good soil stand for those who hear the message and understand it: they bear fruit, some as much as one hundred, others sixty, and others thirty."

International Standard Version
But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the person who hears the word, understands it, and produces a crop that yields 100, 60, or 30 times what was sown."

Majority Standard Bible
But the seed sown on good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and produces a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.”

NET Bible
But as for the seed sown on good soil, this is the person who hears the word and understands. He bears fruit, yielding a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown."

New Heart English Bible
And what was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word, and understands it, who truly bears fruit, and brings forth, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty."

Webster's Bible Translation
But he that receiveth seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; who also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some a hundred fold, some sixty, some thirty.

Weymouth New Testament
But he who has received the seed on good ground is he who hears and understands. Such hearers give a return, and yield one a hundred for one, another sixty, another thirty.")

World English Bible
What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit and produces, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And that sown on the good ground: this is he who is hearing the word, and is understanding, who indeed bears fruit, and makes, some indeed a hundredfold, and some sixty, and some thirty.”

Berean Literal Bible
But the one having been sown on the good soil, this is the one hearing the word and understanding, who indeed brings forth fruit and produces--indeed, some a hundredfold, and some sixty, and some thirty."

Young's Literal Translation
'And that sown on the good ground: this is he who is hearing the word, and is understanding, who indeed doth bear fruit, and doth make, some indeed a hundredfold, and some sixty, and some thirty.'

Smith's Literal Translation
But he having sown upon good earth is he hearing the word, and understanding; who indeed bears fruit, and who makes truly a hundred, and who sixty, and who thirty.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But he that received the seed upon good ground, is he that heareth the word, and understandeth, and beareth fruit, and yieldeth the one an hundredfold, and another sixty, and another thirty.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Yet truly, whoever has received the seed into good soil, this is he who hears the word, and understands it, and so he bears fruit, and he produces: some a hundred fold, and another sixty fold, and another thirty fold.”

New American Bible
But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”

New Revised Standard Version
But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
That which was sown upon good soil, this is he who hears my word, and understands it, so he bears fruit and produces some one hundred, and some sixty, and some thirty.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But that which was sown on the good soil is he who hears my word and understands and he yields fruit, and produces some by the hundreds and some by sixty's and some by thirty's.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But he that received seed on the good ground, is he that hears the word and understands it; who also produces fruit, and yields, one a hundred; another, sixty; another, thirty.

Godbey New Testament
And the one having been sown on good ground, is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; who truly bears fruit, and produces, some a hundred, some sixty, and some thirty.

Haweis New Testament
But the sown upon the good ground, is he who heareth the word, and understandeth it; who truly beareth fruit, and produceth, one an hundred fold, and another sixty, and another thirty.

Mace New Testament
but the ground that received the grain, represents those, who hear the word, and consider it, who all become fruitful, some in one degree, and some in another.

Weymouth New Testament
But he who has received the seed on good ground is he who hears and understands. Such hearers give a return, and yield one a hundred for one, another sixty, another thirty.")

Worrell New Testament
But he that was sown on the good ground, this is he that hears the word and understands it; who, indeed, bears fruit, and produces, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."

Worsley New Testament
But he who received the seed into good ground, is one that heareth and understandeth the word, who indeed beareth fruit, and yieldeth, like fertile lands, some an hundred-fold, some sixty, some thirty.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Sower Explained
22The seed sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 23But the seed sown on good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and produces a crop— a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.” 24Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.…

Cross References
Mark 4:20
Still others are like the seeds sown on good soil. They hear the word, receive it, and produce a crop—thirtyfold, sixtyfold, or a hundredfold.”

Luke 8:15
But the seeds on good soil are those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, cling to it, and by persevering produce a crop.

John 15:5
I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.

John 15:8
This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, proving yourselves to be My disciples.

John 15:16
You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.

Colossians 1:6
that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood the grace of God.

Colossians 1:10
so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, / gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

James 1:21-22
Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls. / Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.

James 1:25
But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.

Hebrews 6:7-8
For land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is tended receives the blessing of God. / But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and its curse is imminent. In the end it will be burned.

1 Corinthians 3:6-9
I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. / So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. / He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. ...

2 Corinthians 9:10
Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness.

Philippians 1:11
filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Romans 7:4
Therefore, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God.


Treasury of Scripture

But he that received seed into the good ground is he that hears the word, and understands it; which also bears fruit, and brings forth, some an hundred times, some sixty, some thirty.

that received.

Matthew 13:8
But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

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.

Luke 8:15
But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

good.

Proverbs 1:5,6
A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: …

Proverbs 2:2-6
So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; …

Ezekiel 18:31
Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

beareth.

Matthew 3:8,10
Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: …

Matthew 12:33
Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

Psalm 1:1-3
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful…

some an.

2 Corinthians 8:1,2
Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; …

2 Corinthians 9:10
Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

1 Thessalonians 4:1
Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

Jump to Previous
Bears Crop Fell Fold Forth Fruit Good Ground Hearers Heareth Hears Hundred Hundredfold Indeed Produces Received Receiveth Seed Sixty Soil Sown Thirty Times Understandeth Understands Word Yielding Yields
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Bears Crop Fell Fold Forth Fruit Good Ground Hearers Heareth Hears Hundred Hundredfold Indeed Produces Received Receiveth Seed Sixty Soil Sown Thirty Times Understandeth Understands Word Yielding Yields
Matthew 13
1. The parable of the sower and the seed;
18. the explanation of it.
24. The parable of the weeds;
31. of the mustard seed;
33. of the leaven;
36. explanation of the parable of the weeds.
44. The parable of the hidden treasure;
45. of the pearl;
47. of the drag net cast into the sea.
53. Jesus is a prophet without honor in his own country.














But the seed sown on good soil
This phrase emphasizes the importance of the condition of the heart in receiving the Word of God. The "good soil" represents a heart that is open, receptive, and prepared to accept the teachings of Christ. In the Greek, the word for "good" (καλός, kalos) implies not just moral goodness but also beauty and excellence. This suggests that the heart must be cultivated and nurtured to be ready for the divine seed. Historically, agriculture was a central part of life in ancient Israel, and Jesus often used agricultural metaphors to convey spiritual truths. The imagery of "good soil" would have resonated deeply with His audience, who understood the labor involved in preparing soil for planting.

is the one who hears the word
Hearing the word is the first step in the process of spiritual growth. The Greek word for "hears" (ἀκούω, akouo) implies not just the act of hearing but also understanding and obeying. In the biblical context, hearing is often linked with obedience. Romans 10:17 states, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." This highlights the importance of being attentive and responsive to God's message. The historical context of Jesus' ministry shows that many heard His words, but only those who truly listened and internalized His teachings experienced transformation.

and understands it
Understanding is crucial for the Word to take root and flourish. The Greek word for "understands" (συνίημι, syniēmi) means to put together, comprehend, or perceive. It involves a deep, spiritual insight that goes beyond mere intellectual knowledge. In Proverbs 4:7, wisdom is described as the principal thing, and with all one's getting, one should get understanding. This underscores the biblical principle that true understanding is a gift from God, often requiring prayer, meditation, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

He indeed bears fruit
Bearing fruit is the evidence of a life transformed by the Word. The Greek word for "bears" (καρποφορέω, karpophoreō) indicates producing or yielding fruit. In John 15:5, Jesus says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit." This metaphor illustrates the necessity of remaining connected to Christ to produce spiritual fruit. Historically, fruitfulness was a sign of blessing and prosperity in the agrarian society of ancient Israel, symbolizing the abundant life promised to those who follow God.

and produces a crop— a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold
The varying yields of the crop signify the different levels of fruitfulness among believers. The numbers "hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold" reflect the abundant and diverse ways in which God's Word can manifest in a believer's life. In the Greek, the word for "produces" (ποιέω, poieō) means to make or do, indicating active participation in the process of spiritual growth. Historically, a yield of thirtyfold was considered a good harvest, while sixtyfold and hundredfold were extraordinary. This illustrates the superabundant potential of God's Word when it is received with a willing heart. Theologically, it reminds believers that while the degree of fruitfulness may vary, all who truly receive and understand the Word will produce fruit, contributing to the Kingdom of God.

(23) He that heareth the word, and under-standeth it.--The process is not merely an intellectual one. He takes it in, discerns its meaning. The phrases in the other Gospels express the same thing, "hear the word and receive it" (Mark), "in an honest and good heart" hear and retain it (Luke). Even here, however, there are different degrees of the holiness which is symbolised by "bearing fruit"--"some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty"--varying according to men's capacities and opportunities.

It is allowable to fill up the outline-sketch of interpretation which thus formed the first lesson in this method in the great Master's school. (1.) It may seem strange at first that the disciples were not told who in the work of the kingdom answered to "the Sower" of the parable. The interpretation is given in the parable of the Tares ("the Sower of the good seed is the Son of Man"), and, in part, it may be said that this was the one point on which the disciples were not likely to misunderstand Him; but in part also, we may believe, this explanation was not given, because, though the parable was true in the first instance of Him and of His work, He meant them to learn wisdom from it for their own work. True, they were reaping what they had not sown (John 4:38), yet they too were in their turn to be sowers as well as reapers. (2.) It is obviously one important lesson of the parable that it teaches us to recognise the possible existence of "an honest and good heart" (the first word meaning "noble," "generous," rather than "honest" in our modern sense) prior to the preaching of the word. Such characters were to be found in those living under the Law, or without the Law (Romans 2:14), and it was the work of the preacher to look out for them, and win them to something yet higher. What made the ground good, is a question which the parable was perhaps meant to suggest, but does not answer. Theologians may speak of "prevenient grace." The language of John 4:37-38 leads us to think of the work of "the Light that lighteth every man." Here also the law holds good that "to him that hath shall more be given." (3.) It lies in the nature of such a parable that it represents the phenomena of the spiritual life only partially. It brings before us four classes of hearers, and seems to assume that their characters are fixed, incapable of change, issuing in results which might have been foreseen. But if so, then the work of the "word" thus preached would seem to be limited to order and progress, and the idea of "conversion"--the change of character--would almost be excluded. We must therefore supplement the parable in its practical application. The soil may be improved; the way-side and the stony places and that which contained the thorns may become as the good ground. It is the work of every preacher and teacher to prepare the soil as well as to sow the seed. In the words of an old prophet, which might almost seem to have suggested the parable itself, they are to "break up the fallow ground and sow not among thorns" (Jeremiah 4:3).

Verse 23. - Which also; who verily (Revised Version, ο{ς δή), the particle giving exactness, to the relative (see Dr. Moulton's note at the end of Winer, § 53). Some; ο{ μεν (Westcott and Hort). Neuter, and so the Vulgate. Nominative, the thought refers to the seed as such (cf. ver. 8). An hundred fold, some sixty, some thirty. "100 longius absunt a 60, quam 60 a 30. Habenti dabitur" (Bengel). The reason of the difference in the produce of the good ground is not stated, but, according to the tenor of the whole passage since ver. 3. this lay in a difference already existing within this good ground. Into the question of the ultimate cause of some men being in a better state of preparedness to receive Divine truths than others, our Lord does not enter. Prevenient grace is not always to be insisted upon in practical exhortation.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

the [seed]
(Ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

sown
σπαρείς (spareis)
Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4687: To sow, spread, scatter. Probably strengthened from spao; to scatter, i.e. Sow.

on
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

good
καλὴν (kalēn)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2570: Properly, beautiful, but chiefly good, i.e. Valuable or virtuous.

soil
γῆν (gēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1093: Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.

is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

the [one who]
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

hears
ἀκούων (akouōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

word
λόγον (logon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.

[and]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

understands [it].
συνιείς (synieis)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4920: To consider, understand, perceive. From sun and hiemi; to put together, i.e. to comprehend; by implication, to act piously.

[He]
ὃς (hos)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

indeed
δὴ (dē)
Particle
Strong's 1211: Probably akin to de; a particle of emphasis or explicitness; now, then, etc.

bears fruit
καρποφορεῖ (karpophorei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2592: To bear fruit. From karpophoros; to be fertile.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

produces a crop—
ποιεῖ (poiei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

a hundredfold,
ἑκατὸν (hekaton)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1540: One hundred. Of uncertain affinity; a hundred.

sixtyfold,
ἑξήκοντα (hexēkonta)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1835: Sixty. The tenth multiple of hex; sixty.

or
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

thirtyfold.”
τριάκοντα (triakonta)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 5144: Thirty. The decade of treis; thirty.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 13:23 What was sown on the good ground (Matt. Mat Mt)
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