The Meaning of Matthew 13:37 Explained

Matthew 13:37

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

YLT: And he answering said to them, 'He who is sowing the good seed is the Son of Man,

Darby: But he answering said, He that sows the good seed is the Son of man,

ASV: And he answered and said, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Matthew 13:37 Mean?

Context Summary

Matthew 13:34-43 - Genuine And Counterfeit
Throughout the Synoptic Gospels-Matthew, Mark, and Luke-a consistent distinction is made between the outer ranks of the people, or disciples, and the inner circle of Apostles. May we not emphasize the same distinction still? We have among us many who are clearly disciples. They cannot as yet formulate or endorse the full creed of the Church, but if they are true to their convictions and follow the gleam, the Master will bring them to the decision of Peter, Matthew 16:16.
This world is God's field. All the good in it has reached it through Jesus Christ. Fundamentally there are but two classes, for the disciple belongs to Christ, though He has not yet come into the perfect light. Notice that the people who cause stumbling are placed with those who do iniquity, and each class is thrown on the rubbish heap. Ponder the despair with which we shall view wasted opportunities, as we look back on them from eternity-weeping for softer natures, and wailing for weaker ones. Let us not trifle away the golden chances of life! [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

What do the individual words in Matthew 13:37 mean?

- And answering He said The [One] sowing the good seed is the Son - of Man
δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν σπείρων τὸ καλὸν σπέρμα ἐστὶν Υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου

  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀποκριθεὶς  answering 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Passive, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀποκρίνομαι  
Sense: to give an answer to a question proposed, to answer.
εἶπεν  He  said 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: λέγω  
Sense: to speak, say.
  The  [One] 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
σπείρων  sowing 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἐπισπείρω 
Sense: to sow, scatter, seed.
καλὸν  good 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: καλός  
Sense: beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable.
σπέρμα  seed 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: σπέρμα  
Sense: from which a plant germinates.
Υἱὸς  Son 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: υἱός  
Sense: a son.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀνθρώπου  of  Man 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: ἄνθρωπος  
Sense: a human being, whether male or female.