Matthew 13

Matthew 13

The big picture

Matthew 13 opens in verse 1 with “The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 29 with “But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with…”, and closes in verse 58 with “And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” Repeated or prominent terms include kingdom, hear, seed, some, heaven. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.

Scripture beside the summary

Matthew · King James Version · 58

Matthew 13:1-8

1–8: The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.

Matthew 13:1–8 opens with “The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.” and reaches “But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jesus teaching from a boat and the parables pictured through seed, soils, weeds, treasure, pearl, and net, with particular weight carried by some, fell, earth.

Context that brings the passage to life

“The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;” The line’s distinctive content terms include parables, sower, spake. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.

Matthew 13:1-8

King James Version

1The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.

2And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

3And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

4And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

5Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

6And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

7And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

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

Matthew 13:9-16

9–16: Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Matthew 13:9–16 opens with “Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” and reaches “But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jesus teaching from a boat and the parables pictured through seed, soils, weeds, treasure, pearl, and net, with particular weight carried by hear, ears, eyes.

Context that brings the passage to life

This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.

“Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” The line’s distinctive content terms include hear, ears. Its relationship to verses 10 shows what work it does in this passage.

“He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to…” Naming Because keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

Matthew 13:9-16

King James Version

9Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

10And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

11He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

12For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

13Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

14And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

15For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

16But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

Matthew 13:17-24

17–24: For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have…

Matthew 13:17–24 opens with “For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things…” and reaches “Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jesus teaching from a boat and the parables pictured through seed, soils, weeds, treasure, pearl, and net, with particular weight carried by word, seed, heareth.

Context that brings the passage to life

“For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the…” Naming Yet keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

Matthew 13:17-24

King James Version

17For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

18Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

19When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

20But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

21Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

22He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

23But 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.

24Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

Matthew 13:25-32

25–32: While men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and…

Matthew 13:25–32 opens with “But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.” and reaches “Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jesus teaching from a boat and the parables pictured through seed, soils, weeds, treasure, pearl, and net, with particular weight carried by tares, gather, wheat.

Context that brings the passage to life

This block contains 2 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.

“But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.” The line’s distinctive content terms include enemy, slept, sowed. Its relationship to verses 26 shows what work it does in this passage.

“So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

Matthew 13:25-32

King James Version

25But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

26But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

27So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?

28He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

29But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

30Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

31Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

32Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

Matthew 13:33-40

33–40: Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto…

Matthew 13:33–40 opens with “Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman…” and reaches “As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jesus teaching from a boat and the parables pictured through seed, soils, weeds, treasure, pearl, and net, with particular weight carried by world, parable, spake.

Context that brings the passage to life

“Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter…” The line’s distinctive content terms include foundation, fulfilled, kept. Its relationship to verses 34 and 36 shows what work it does in this passage.

Matthew 13:33-40

King James Version

33Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

34All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:

35That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

36Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

37He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;

38The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

39The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

40As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

Matthew 13:41-48

41–48: The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of…

Matthew 13:41–48 opens with “The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things…” and reaches “Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jesus teaching from a boat and the parables pictured through seed, soils, weeds, treasure, pearl, and net, with particular weight carried by kingdom, heaven, field.

Context that brings the passage to life

“The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

Matthew 13:41-48

King James Version

41The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

43Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

44Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

45Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

46Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

47Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

48Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.

Matthew 13:49-56

49–56: So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and…

Matthew 13:49–56 opens with “So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from…” and reaches “And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jesus teaching from a boat and the parables pictured through seed, soils, weeds, treasure, pearl, and net, with particular weight carried by Jesus, angels, astonished.

Context that brings the passage to life

This block contains 4 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.

“So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

Matthew 13:49-56

King James Version

49So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,

50And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

51Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.

52Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

53And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.

54And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?

55Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

56And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?

Matthew 13:57-58

57–58: They were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not…

Matthew 13:57–58 opens with “And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save…” and reaches “And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jesus teaching from a boat and the parables pictured through seed, soils, weeds, treasure, pearl, and net, with particular weight carried by country, honour, house.

Matthew 13:57-58

King James Version

57And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.

58And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

Details worth noticing

58verses in this reading
8major movements
13verses with speech
7questions in the KJV text

The opening image

Matthew 13:1 begins with “The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.”

Where the chapter turns

Matthew 13:29 forms a natural hinge: “But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.”

The final note

Matthew 13:58 leaves the reader with “And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.”

A word trail through the chapter

The words kingdom, hear, seed, some, heaven, tares help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.

How does Abram pursue peace?

He names their kinship and offers a practical separation without insisting on first choice.

What can Lot see that Abram cannot yet possess?

Lot sees fertile land; Abram receives a promise of land and descendants still to come.

KJV words made clear

behold
look, or pay close attention
unto
to
thou
you
thy
your
hath
has

Text first

Where readers differ

The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.

The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.

Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.