Matthew 13:38
New International Version
The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one,

New Living Translation
The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one.

English Standard Version
The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one,

Berean Standard Bible
The field is the world, and the good seed represents the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one,

Berean Literal Bible
and the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the weeds are the sons of the evil one;

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

New King James Version
The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one.

New American Standard Bible
and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the weeds are the sons of the evil one;

NASB 1995
and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one;

NASB 1977
and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one;

Legacy Standard Bible
and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one;

Amplified Bible
and the field is the world; and [as for] the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the weeds are the sons of the evil one;

Christian Standard Bible
the field is the world; and the good seed—these are the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the evil one,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
the field is the world; and the good seed—these are the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one,

American Standard Version
and the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one;

Contemporary English Version
The field is the world, and the good seeds are the people who belong to the kingdom. The weeds are those who belong to the evil one,

English Revised Version
and the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The field is the world. The good seeds are those who belong to the kingdom. The weeds are those who belong to the evil one.

Good News Translation
the field is the world; the good seed is the people who belong to the Kingdom; the weeds are the people who belong to the Evil One;

International Standard Version
while the field is the world. The good seed are those who belong to the kingdom, while the weeds are those who belong to the evil one.

Majority Standard Bible
The field is the world, and the good seed represents the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one,

NET Bible
The field is the world and the good seed are the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one,

New Heart English Bible
and the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the children of the Kingdom; and the tares are the children of the evil one,

Webster's Bible Translation
The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

Weymouth New Testament
the field is the world; the good seed--these are the sons of the Kingdom; the darnel, the sons of the Evil one.

World English Bible
the field is the world, the good seeds are the children of the Kingdom, and the darnel weeds are the children of the evil one.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the field is the world, and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom, and the darnel are the sons of the evil one,

Berean Literal Bible
and the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the weeds are the sons of the evil one;

Young's Literal Translation
and the field is the world, and the good seed, these are the sons of the reign, and the darnel are the sons of the evil one,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the field, is the world. And the good seed are the children of the kingdom. And the cockle, are the children of the wicked one.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now the field is the world. And the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom. But the weeds are the sons of wickedness.

New American Bible
the field is the world, the good seed the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the evil one,

New Revised Standard Version
the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The field is the world; the good seed are the sons of the kingdom; but the tares are the sons of evil.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
The field is the world but the good seed is the children of the Kingdom and the tares are the children of The Evil One.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
the field is the world; the good seed are the sons of the kingdom; the tares are the sons of the Wicked One;

Godbey New Testament
and the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the wicked one,

Haweis New Testament
the field is the world: and the good seed are those who are the children of the kingdom; but the zizane are the children of the wicked one;

Mace New Testament
the field is the world: the good seed are the children of the kingdom: but the tares are the children of the wicked one:

Weymouth New Testament
the field is the world; the good seed--these are the sons of the Kingdom; the darnel, the sons of the Evil one.

Worrell New Testament
The field is the world: and the good seed, these are the sons of the Kingdom; but the tares are the sons of the evil one;

Worsley New Testament
the field is the world; the good seed are the children of my kingdom; and the tares are the children of the wicked one.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Weeds Explained
37He replied, “The One who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed represents the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.…

Cross References
John 8:44
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.

1 John 3:10
By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother.

Genesis 3:15
And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

1 John 3:12
Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous.

John 15:19
If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.

1 John 5:19
We know that we are of God, and that the whole world is under the power of the evil one.

Galatians 4:29
At that time, however, the son born by the flesh persecuted the son born by the Spirit. It is the same now.

Romans 8:7
because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.

Ephesians 2:2-3
in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience. / All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.

2 Corinthians 4:4
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

John 17:14-16
I have given them Your word and the world has hated them. For they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. / I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. / They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12
and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. / For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, / in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.

Isaiah 5:7
For the vineyard of the LORD of Hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the plant of His delight. He looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard a cry of distress.

Hosea 10:12-13
Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the fruit of loving devotion; break up your unplowed ground. For it is time to seek the LORD until He comes and sends righteousness upon you like rain. / You have plowed wickedness and reaped injustice; you have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your own way and in the multitude of your mighty men,

Jeremiah 12:2
You planted them, and they have taken root. They have grown and produced fruit. You are ever on their lips, but far from their hearts.


Treasury of Scripture

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

field.

Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth…

Mark 16:15-20
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature…

the good.

Psalm 22:30
A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.

Isaiah 53:10
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

Hosea 2:23
And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.

the children of the wicked.

Matthew 13:19
When 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.

Genesis 3:15
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

John 8:44
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

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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.














The field
In Matthew 13:38, "the field" is a metaphorical representation of the world. The Greek word used here is "agros," which refers to cultivated land. In the context of Jesus' parable, the field is the vast expanse of human society where the seeds of the Gospel are sown. Historically, fields were places of labor and growth, symbolizing the potential for spiritual harvest. This imagery reminds believers that the world is the arena for God's redemptive work, where His truth is planted and expected to bear fruit.

is the world
The phrase "is the world" clarifies the scope of the field. The Greek term "kosmos" is used, which often denotes the ordered universe or the realm of human existence. In a biblical context, it can also imply the fallen state of humanity in need of redemption. This highlights the universal mission of the Gospel, emphasizing that God's message is intended for all people, transcending cultural and geographical boundaries. It underscores the Christian responsibility to engage with the world, bringing the light of Christ to every corner.

and the good seed
The "good seed" represents the children of the kingdom. The Greek word for "good" is "kalos," meaning noble or excellent. This seed symbolizes those who have received the Gospel and are transformed by it. In agricultural terms, good seed is pure and capable of producing a bountiful harvest. Spiritually, it signifies the potential for righteousness and the spread of God's kingdom through the lives of believers. This encourages Christians to live out their faith authentically, contributing to the growth of God's kingdom.

represents the sons of the kingdom
The phrase "represents the sons of the kingdom" identifies the good seed as the followers of Christ. The term "sons" (Greek: "huios") implies a familial relationship, indicating that believers are children of God, heirs to His promises. The "kingdom" refers to God's sovereign rule, both present and future. This relationship calls Christians to live as ambassadors of God's kingdom, reflecting His values and priorities in their daily lives. It is a reminder of the identity and purpose bestowed upon believers as part of God's family.

The weeds
"Weeds" are the antithesis of the good seed, representing those who oppose God's kingdom. The Greek word "zizania" refers to a type of weed that closely resembles wheat but is ultimately destructive. This imagery illustrates the presence of evil and deception in the world, often masquerading as good. Historically, farmers had to be vigilant to protect their crops from such weeds. Spiritually, this calls for discernment among believers to recognize and resist influences that undermine their faith and witness.

are the sons of the evil one
This phrase identifies the weeds as "the sons of the evil one," referring to those aligned with Satan's purposes. The "evil one" (Greek: "poneros") is a title for Satan, the adversary of God. This stark contrast between the children of the kingdom and the children of the evil one highlights the spiritual battle between good and evil. It serves as a sobering reminder of the reality of spiritual warfare and the need for believers to remain steadfast in their allegiance to Christ, resisting the temptations and deceptions of the enemy.

(38) The tares are the children of the wicked one.--It was, perhaps, natural that theologians, who saw in heresy the greatest of all evils, should identify the tares with heretics. So far as heresy rises from the spirit of self-will, or antagonism to righteousness, we may admit that they are included in the class, but the true definition is that given in Matthew 13:41, "all things that offend, and them which do iniquity."

Verse 38. - The children of the kingdom; the sons, etc. (Revised Version); Matthew 5:9, note. The tares are the children of the wicked one; of the evil one (Revised Version); cf. Matthew 6:13, note. (On the bearing that the evidence of the Old Syriac and the Old Latin versions here has on the masculine interpretation there, see Chase, 'Lord's Prayer,' etc., pp. 155, 159, sqq.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[The] field
ἀγρός (agros)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 68: From ago; a field; genitive case, the country; specially, a farm, i.e. Hamlet.

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
(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.

world,
κόσμος (kosmos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2889: Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).

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

[the] good
καλὸν (kalon)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2570: Properly, beautiful, but chiefly good, i.e. Valuable or virtuous.

seed
σπέρμα (sperma)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4690: From speiro; something sown, i.e. Seed; by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant.

represents
οὗτοί (houtoi)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

sons
υἱοὶ (huioi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.

of the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

kingdom.
βασιλείας (basileias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 932: From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm.

[The] weeds
ζιζάνιά (zizania)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2215: Darnel or false grain.

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

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

sons
υἱοὶ (huioi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.

of the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive 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.

evil [one],
πονηροῦ (ponērou)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 4190: Evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 13:38 The field is the world (Matt. Mat Mt)
Matthew 13:37
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