Matthew 13:37
He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
Matthew 13:37 (KJV)
Context
Jesus spoke this verse in direct answer to His disciples’ request in Matthew 13:36 to explain the parable of the wheat and tares. The parable itself, found in Matthew 13:24-30, describes a man who sowed good seed in his field, an enemy who sowed tares among the wheat, and the decision to let both grow until the harvest. In Matthew 13:37, Jesus begins His explanation by identifying the sower of the good seed as the Son of man—Himself.
Meaning
By saying, “He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man,” Jesus makes a direct claim about His own identity and mission. The title “Son of man” was Jesus’ preferred way of referring to Himself, and it carries deep messianic meaning. It connects Him to the figure in Daniel 7:13-14, who receives dominion and an everlasting kingdom from God. Here, Jesus applies that title to the ordinary act of sowing seed, showing that His work on earth—teaching, healing, and calling people to Himself—is the work of the Messiah establishing God’s kingdom.
The “good seed” represents the children of the kingdom, those who receive the Gospel and follow Jesus. This verse teaches that believers are not accidents or self-made; they are sown by Christ Himself. Their origin is in His sovereign action, which gives them security and purpose.
Biblical connections
In the verses that follow, Jesus explains the rest of the parable: the field is the world, the good seed are the children of the kingdom, the tares are the children of the wicked one, the enemy is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels (Matthew 13:38-39). This verse is the hinge on which the whole explanation turns: everything else in the parable is interpreted in light of who Jesus is and what He does.
The title “Son of man” also points to Jesus’ role as the perfect representative of humanity. As the Son of man, He came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10) and to reconcile people to God. His sowing is not distant or detached; it is personal and redemptive.
Application
Jesus takes the initiative: He sows the good seed of His word and the message of salvation. He actively seeks to bring people into a relationship with Himself.
Believers are the good seed: Those who have received the Gospel and been transformed by it are planted by Christ in the world. Their identity is secure because He is the sower.
Good and evil coexist now: The parable acknowledges that in this fallen world, believers and unbelievers grow side by side. The enemy, Satan, continues to sow discord and confusion, but God’s patience allows time for repentance.
Judgment is certain: At the end of the age, the Son of man will separate the righteous from the wicked. This truth calls believers to live faithfully, bearing spiritual fruit that honors God.
Reflection
Matthew 13:37 grounds the believer’s confidence in the divine origin and security of the kingdom’s work. Because Jesus is the sower, the growth of the kingdom does not depend on human effort alone. It rests on His sovereign hand. This verse also invites each reader to consider whether they are among the good seed—those who have received the word of the kingdom and are being transformed by it. The same Jesus who explained this parable to His disciples is willing to teach His followers today, giving them understanding and assurance as they live for Him.
