What is the meaning of Matthew 13:37? He replied - The sentence opens with Jesus’ direct response to His disciples, who had asked Him privately to explain the parable of the wheat and the weeds (Matthew 13:36). - This underscores that the explanation comes straight from the Lord, not human speculation (cf. Luke 8:9–10; Mark 4:10). - When Jesus answers, He does so with divine authority, echoing His pattern in other passages where He alone unveils kingdom mysteries (Matthew 11:27; John 15:15). The One who sows - Sowing pictures deliberate, purposeful activity. In every season of His earthly ministry, Jesus actively “went throughout Galilee, teaching … and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom” (Matthew 4:23). - The farmer imagery reminds us that: • The seed is scattered broadly—no corner of the field is neglected (cf. Isaiah 55:11). • The sower anticipates growth and harvest (John 4:34–36). - This aligns with other parables where Jesus presents Himself as the initiator of salvation, doing the Father’s will and finishing His work (John 6:38–40). the good seed - Jesus identifies the seed earlier in the chapter as “the word of the kingdom” (Matthew 13:19) and, by parallel, “the word of God” (Luke 8:11). - Because the seed is “good,” there is nothing defective in the message; any failure to bear fruit comes from the soil, never the seed (cf. James 1:17–18). - Scripture further describes this seed as: • Imperishable (1 Peter 1:23) • Living and enduring (1 Peter 1:23) • Able to save souls (James 1:21) - The contrast with the enemy’s “weeds” (Matthew 13:25) highlights the purity and truth of Christ’s gospel. is the Son of Man - “Son of Man” is Jesus’ favorite self-designation, drawing from Daniel 7:13–14 where the Son of Man receives eternal dominion. - By linking the title to the act of sowing, Jesus teaches that: • He possesses full authority over the field of the world (Matthew 28:18). • He is personally invested in the redemption and destiny of every seed sown (John 10:11). • The same One who sows will one day harvest and judge (John 5:27; Matthew 25:31). - The title also connects Jesus’ humility with His exaltation (Mark 10:45; Philippians 2:8–11): the humbled Son of Man invests Himself in sowing before returning as the glorious Judge. summary Matthew 13:37 teaches that Jesus Christ, the prophesied Son of Man, intentionally scatters the pure, life-giving word of the kingdom throughout the world. The verse assures us that the gospel’s power comes from its perfect source, not from human effort, and that the same Lord who plants the seed will oversee its growth and bring in the final harvest. |
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