Jesus’ explanation in Matthew 13:37 shows the parable’s true focus: beginning not with the weeds but with the sower of the good seed. He first gives a translation
of the elements of the imagery (Matthew 13:38–39), but the servants (Matthew 13:27–28) have no symbolic meaning in his interpretation. The elements that matter are labeled: the sower (the Son of Man), the field (the world), the good seed (citizens of the kingdom), the weeds (those who belong to the evil one), the enemy (the devil), the harvest (the end of the age), and the reapers (the angels). What would have surprised the disciples is that the field represents the world. Jesus is thinking not only of Israel, but of good news for the whole world (compare the three measures of flour that are completely leavened; see also Matthew 5:14,Matthew 4:8). This means that the kingdom of heaven will conquer the world, for God does not remain only with one people. Note also that the good seed is the sons of the kingdom (but see Matthew 8:12), and not just the preached Word. As the good seed falls into the ground and dies (John 12:24), fruit springs up: the true sons of the kingdom, who thus become preachers of the Word and a blessing to others, like with the leaven, which continues to work and spread.
In his explanation in Matthew 13:37, Jesus immediately directs attention to the true focus of the parable. He does not begin with the weeds but with the sower of the good seed — for that is the central point. This focus also shapes his explanation. First, Jesus offers a translation
of the various elements of the imagery (Matthew 13:38–39). Notably, the servants of the master (Matthew 13:27–28) are absent from this list. Their role appears to be purely functional: to bring the problem of the parable into focus. Jesus does not assign them an independent meaning in his interpretation. The elements that truly matter are clearly identified: the sower (the Son of Man), the field (the world), the good seed (those who belong to the kingdom of heaven), the weeds (those who belong to the evil one), the enemy (the devil), the harvest (the end of the age), and the reapers (the angels).1
What would have surprised the disciples is that the field represents the world. Jesus is not thinking only of Israel; he brings the gospel for the whole world (compare the three measures of flour that are completely leavened, and also Matthew 5:14 and Matthew 4:8). His disciples are included in this. This also means that the kingdom of heaven will conquer the world—God does not remain with one people alone.
It is also significant that the good seed is identified with the sons of the kingdom (but see Matthew 8:12), and not simply with the Word being preached. This must be understood elliptically. The good seed falls into the ground and dies (John 12:24), yet fruit springs up—these are the true sons of the kingdom, who themselves become preachers of the gospel and a blessing to others. The idea is related to that of the leaven, which continues to work and spread.2
37 Il répondit: Celui qui sème la bonne semence, c'est le Fils de l'homme;