Matthew 13:37
Monday, 13 October 2025
He answered and said to them: “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. Matthew 13:37
“And answering, He said, ‘He, the ‘sowing the good seed,’ he is the Son of Man’” (CG).
In the previous verse, the disciples came to Jesus and asked Him to explain the parable of the darnel. Therefore, Matthew records, “And answering, He said, ‘He, the ‘sowing the good seed,’ he is the Son of Man.’”
His words reveal that this is not just a parable without an exact meaning, like a fable or a general metaphor that can be equated to various things. Rather, it is a specific parable that provides specific information.
Because this is so, even though truths from it may bleed between dispensations, the most likely explanation is that it is an overall truth applying to only one. This was discussed in the comments provided when the parable was given to the crowds by Jesus.
Jesus is the Sower. Therefore, the parable is referring to Him and cannot be transferred to anyone else as an example of their life or ministry.
Life application: As noted in an earlier commentary (Matthew 13:30), if the words of this parable are referring to the church age, there needs to be a specific spiritualization of some of what is being said.
This is generally what people do, attempting to fit themselves and their situation into parts of the Bible. Passages, for example, that provide hope to Israel in exile to Babylon, such as are found in Jeremiah, are transferred to our lives. Although they are words of hope, they are intended for a particular audience.
We can learn about God’s mercy and compassion from those passages, but we should not endeavor to place ourselves into what is being stated. The words of this parable are specific and have an intended audience.
We can learn truths from it, and we can also see parallels in our dispensation to some of the things that happen, but the best course of action when reading it is to understand that it is dealing with Jesus and Israel.
Lord God, help us to understand Your word as You intend for us to understand it. Keep us from making faulty or illogical connections that are not intended by You. Rather, may our time in Your word be for understanding Your nature and Your care for humanity as You interact with us at any given time. Amen.
