The term "sixtyfold" is a biblical expression used to describe a measure of increase or yield, particularly in the context of agricultural productivity and spiritual fruitfulness. It is most prominently featured in the Parable of the Sower, as recorded in the Synoptic Gospels. This parable is a teaching of Jesus Christ that illustrates the varying responses to the Word of God.

Biblical Context

In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus describes a sower who scatters seed, which falls on different types of ground, each yielding a different harvest. The seed represents the Word of God, and the ground symbolizes the hearts of those who hear it. The "sixtyfold" yield is mentioned as one of the fruitful outcomes of the seed that falls on good soil. In the Berean Standard Bible, the relevant passage is found in Matthew 13:8: "Still other seed fell on good soil and produced a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold."

Interpretation

The sixtyfold yield signifies a substantial, though not maximal, return on the sown seed. It represents a heart that receives the Word of God with understanding and obedience, resulting in a significant spiritual harvest. This yield is indicative of a life that is transformed by the Gospel, producing abundant spiritual fruit such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (cf. Galatians 5:22-23).

Theological Significance

From a theological perspective, the sixtyfold increase underscores the principle of divine multiplication and blessing. It highlights the potential for spiritual growth and productivity when one's heart is receptive to God's Word. The varying yields—thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and hundredfold—illustrate that while all believers are called to bear fruit, the extent of fruitfulness can differ based on individual responsiveness and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Practical Application

For believers, the concept of sixtyfold serves as an encouragement to cultivate a heart that is open and responsive to God's Word. It challenges Christians to strive for spiritual maturity and to seek a deeper relationship with God, resulting in a life that bears significant fruit for His kingdom. This involves regular engagement with Scripture, prayer, and active participation in the life of the church.

Conclusion

While the sixtyfold yield is not the highest possible return mentioned in the parable, it is nonetheless a testament to the power of God's Word to transform lives and produce a bountiful harvest. It serves as a reminder of the importance of nurturing one's spiritual life to achieve the fullest potential in Christ.

Whether Three Fruits are Fittingly Assigned to the Three Parts of ...
... But the excess of sixtyfold over thirtyfold is not as the excess of a hundredfold
over sixtyfold; neither in arithmetical proportion, since sixty exceeds ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether three fruits are fittingly.htm

Letter Xlviii. To Pammachius.
... Yields of one hundredfold, of sixtyfold, and of thirtyfold [1049] may all come from
one soil and from one sowing, yet they will differ widely in quantity. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xlviii to pammachius.htm

Whether the Fruits are Suitably Enumerated by the Apostle?
... good ground, viz. "hundredfold, sixtyfold," and "thirtyfold." Therefore
one should not reckon twelve fruits. Objection 3: Further ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the fruits are suitably.htm

The Sower
... And others fell into the good ground, and yielded fruit, growing up and increasing;
and brought forth, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a hundredfold. ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 4 3-9 14-20 the sower.htm

Whether virginity is the Greatest of virtues?
... cxxiii ad Ageruch.], on account of its superiority to widowhood, to which the sixtyfold
fruit is ascribed, and to marriage, to which is ascribed the thirtyfold ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether virginity is the greatest.htm

Whether an Aureole is Due on Account of virginity?
... Objection 6: Further, as widowhood is to the sixtyfold fruit, so is virginity
to the hundredfold fruit, and to the aureole. Now ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether an aureole is due.htm

The Sower.
... and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: but other fell into good ground, and
brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/i the sower.htm

The First Great Group of Parables.
... good ground, ^c and grew, and brought forth a hundredfold, ^b and yielded fruit,
growing up and increasing; and brought forth, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/liv the first great group 2.htm

A Man Reaps More than He Sows.
... A MAN REAPS MORE THAN HE SOWS. "But other fell into good ground, and brought forth
fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.""Matthew 13:8. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sowing and reaping/chapter v a man reaps.htm

Book x. On Numbers
... LX. [This number refers] to the fruit to widows or to the debt to those who restrain
passion; in the gospel: and another gave fruit sixtyfold. [Matt.13:8]. ...
/.../eucherius/the formulae of st eucherius of lyons/book x on numbers.htm

Sixtyfold (3 Occurrences)
...Sixtyfold (3 Occurrences). Matthew 13:8 But other fell into good ground, and brought
forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. (KJV). ...
/s/sixtyfold.htm - 7k

Thirtyfold (3 Occurrences)
... Thirtyfold (3 Occurrences). Matthew 13:8 But other fell into good ground, and brought
forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. (KJV). ...
/t/thirtyfold.htm - 7k

Hundredfold (10 Occurrences)
... Hundredfold (10 Occurrences). Matthew 13:8 But other fell into good ground, and
brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. ...
/h/hundredfold.htm - 9k

Sixty-fold (1 Occurrence)
Sixty-fold. Sixtyfold, Sixty-fold. Sixty-four . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WBS). Sixtyfold, Sixty-fold. Sixty-four . Reference Bible.
/s/sixty-fold.htm - 6k

Sixty-five (5 Occurrences)
Sixty-five. Sixty-eight, Sixty-five. Sixtyfold . Multi-Version Concordance
Sixty-five (5 Occurrences). ... Sixty-eight, Sixty-five. Sixtyfold . Reference Bible
/s/sixty-five.htm - 7k

Ground (538 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY DBY RSV). Matthew 13:8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth
fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. ...
/g/ground.htm - 43k

Forth (1639 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an
hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. (KJV WBS RSV). ...
/f/forth.htm - 36k

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