The term "thirtyfold" is primarily associated with the Parable of the Sower, as recounted in the Synoptic Gospels of the New Testament. This parable is a teaching of Jesus Christ that illustrates the varying responses to the Word of God. The term "thirtyfold" specifically appears in the context of the yield produced by seeds sown on good soil.

Biblical Context

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus explains the parable to His disciples, emphasizing the different types of soil as representations of the human heart's receptivity to the Gospel. The "good soil" symbolizes those who hear the Word, understand it, and bear fruit. Matthew 13:23 states: "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."

Similarly, in the Gospel of Mark, the parable is recounted with slight variations. Mark 4:20 reads: "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."

The Gospel of Luke also presents this parable, though it does not specifically mention "thirtyfold." Instead, it focuses on the concept of bearing fruit with perseverance (Luke 8:15).

Interpretation and Significance

The "thirtyfold" yield represents a significant, though not maximal, return on the investment of the Word of God in a believer's life. It signifies a fruitful response to the Gospel, where the individual not only accepts the message but also allows it to transform their life, resulting in visible spiritual growth and impact.

From a theological perspective, the varying yields—thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and a hundredfold—illustrate the diversity of spiritual fruitfulness among believers. Each yield is valuable and demonstrates the effectiveness of the Word when it is received with an open and obedient heart. The "thirtyfold" yield, while the smallest mentioned, still represents a substantial increase and is a testament to the power of God's Word to bring about change and growth.

Application

In practical terms, the concept of "thirtyfold" encourages believers to assess their own receptivity to the Word of God. It challenges Christians to cultivate a heart that is like the good soil, ready to receive, understand, and act upon the teachings of Scripture. The parable serves as a reminder that spiritual fruitfulness is not solely dependent on human effort but is a result of God's work in a willing and receptive heart.

The "thirtyfold" yield also serves as an encouragement to those who may feel their contributions to the Kingdom of God are modest. It reassures believers that every level of fruitfulness is valuable and that God honors the growth that comes from genuine faith and obedience.

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?
... 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 fruit. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether virginity is the greatest.htm

The First Great Group of Parables.
... b the good ground, ^c and grew, and brought forth a hundredfold, ^b and yielded
fruit, growing up and increasing; and brought forth, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold ...
/.../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

The Wisdom of the Ages
... 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 ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter iv the wisdom of.htm

Book x. On Numbers
... XXX. [This number refers] to the fruit of faithful unions; in the gospel: and they
gave fruit, some a hundredfold and others sixty- and thirtyfold. [Matt.13:8]. ...
/.../eucherius/the formulae of st eucherius of lyons/book x on numbers.htm

The Relative Positions of the Pleroma the Region of Achamoth, and ...
... [6842]. Footnotes: [6836] Above, in chap. viii., he has mentioned the Pleroma as
"the fulness of the thirtyfold divinity.". [6837] Metatur. [6838] Reciprocandi. ...
/.../tertullian/against the valentinians/chapter xxiii the relative positions of.htm

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

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

Thirty-five (9 Occurrences)
Thirty-five. Thirty-first, Thirty-five. Thirtyfold . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WEB BBE DBY RSV). Thirty-first, Thirty-five. Thirtyfold . Reference Bible
/t/thirty-five.htm - 8k

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

Fold (23 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/f/fold.htm - 17k

Thirty-fold (3 Occurrences)
Thirty-fold. Thirtyfold, Thirty-fold. Thirty-four . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WBS YLT). Thirtyfold, Thirty-fold. Thirty-four . Reference Bible.
/t/thirty-fold.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

Receive (350 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/r/receive.htm - 36k

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

Bring (1372 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/b/bring.htm - 40k

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