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Matthew 13:38

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 13:38 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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];” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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];
Matthew 13:38 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 13

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
35that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.
36Then he left the multitudes, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Explain unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
37And he answered and said, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
38and 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];
39and the enemy that sowed them is the devil: and the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are angels.
40As therefore the tares are gathered up and burned with fire; so shall it be in the end of the world.
41The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that cause stumbling, and them that do iniquity,
← Matthew 13:37Matthew 13:39 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“The field is the world, etc.] That which is represented by “the field”, in which the good seed is sown, is not only the land of Judea, where Christ preached in person, but the whole world, into which the apostles were afterwards sent; or the church of Christ, in the several parts of the world: the good seed are the children of the kingdom: they which are designed by the good seed, are such, for whom the kingdom of heaven is prepared, to whom it is bequeathed, and who are appointed to it; who are possessed of the kingdom of grace here, and are heirs of the kingdom of glory; and have both a meetness for it, and a right unto it, being the children of God by adoption, and that appearing by…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The tares are the children of the wicked one--As this sowing could only be "while men slept," no blame seems intended, and certainly none is charged upon "the servants"; it is probably just the dress of the parable.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Declare unto us - That is, explain the meaning of the parable. This was done in so plain a manner as to render comment unnecessary. The Son of man, the Lord Jesus, sows the good seed - that is, preaches the gospel. This he did personally, and does now by his ministers, his providence, and his Spirit, by all the means of conveying “truth” to the mind. This seed was, by various means, to be carried over all the world. It was to be confined to no particular nation or people. The good seed was the children of the kingdom; that is, of the kingdom of God, or Christians. For these the Saviour toiled and died. They are the fruit of his labors. Yet amid them were wicked people; and all hypocrites and…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The good seed are the children of the kingdom - That is, the children of God, the righteous. Matthew 13:41”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“13:38 The field is the world: The Kingdom includes all nations (28:16-20). • The people of the Kingdom are those who follow Jesus (13:11-17, 23; 21:43).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“field: Mat 24:14, Mat 28:18-20; Mar 16:15-20; Luk 24:47; Rom 10:18, Rom 16:26; Col 1:6; Rev 14:6 the good: Psa 22:30; Isa 53:10; Hos 2:23; Zac 10:8, Zac 10:9; Joh 1:12, Joh 1:13, Joh 12:24; Rom 8:17; Jam 1:18, Jam 2:5; Pe1 1:23; Jo1 3:2, Jo1 3:9 the children of the wicked: Mat 13:19; Gen 3:15; Joh 8:44; Act 13:10; Phi 3:18, Phi 3:19; Jo1 3:8, Jo1 3:10 Next: Matthew Chapter 14”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification