--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: GARDENS OR FIELDS? Craig Blomberg points…" description: "\"“GARDENS OR FIELDS? Craig Blomberg points out that in Matthew’s parable of the mustard seed, the sower sows his seed in a “field” (agros, Matt 13:31), ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3d/timothy-keller-240_garden_gardens-or-fields-craig-blomberg-points_2620434.png" --- # GARDENS OR FIELDS? Craig Blomberg points out that in… ![“GARDENS OR FIELDS? Craig Blomberg points out that in Matthew’s parable of the mustard seed, the sower sows his seed in a “field” (agros, Matt 13:31), while in Luke the sowing is in a “garden” (kepos, Luke 13:19). Jews never grew mustard plants in gardens, but always out on farms, while Greeks in…” quote by Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3d/timothy-keller-240_garden_gardens-or-fields-craig-blomberg-points_2620434.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3d/timothy-keller-240_garden_gardens-or-fields-craig-blomberg-points_2620434.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3d/timothy-keller-240_garden_gardens-or-fields-craig-blomberg-points_2620434.png) > ““GARDENS OR FIELDS? Craig Blomberg points out that in Matthew’s parable of the mustard seed, the sower sows his seed in a “field” (agros, Matt 13:31), while in Luke the sowing is in a “garden” (kepos, Luke 13:19). Jews never grew mustard plants in gardens, but always out on farms, while Greeks in the Mediterranean basin did the opposite. It appears that each gospel writer was changing the word that Jesus used in Mark—the word for “earth” or “ground” (ge, Mark 4:31) — for the sake of his hearers. There is a technical contradiction between the Matthean and Lukan terms, states Blomberg, “but not a material one. Luke changes the wording precisely so that his audience is not distracted from… the lesson by puzzling over an… improbable practice.” The result is that Luke’s audience “receives his teaching with the same impact as the original audience.”22”” [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage notes that Gospel writers adapt terminology to fit their audience’s cultural context, altering “earth” to “field” or “garden” without changing the core lesson. **In simple terms:** Gospel writers change words to match listeners’ expectations while keeping the message unchanged. Key Takeaway Recognize how context shapes language. Themes interpretation contextualization communication Mood thoughtful analytical Type explanatory educational When to use this quote - Bible study - sermon preparation - theological education - interfaith dialogue Key Concepts Hermeneutics cultural adaptation semantic shift Questions to Reflect On - How does audience culture affect biblical interpretation? - What risks arise when altering original terms? A Different Perspective Cultural nuances may be overlooked, leading to misinterpretation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Garden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/garden/) [Gardening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gardening/) [Grew Mustard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grew-mustard-2106321/) [Luke Sowing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/luke-sowing-2106320/) [Mustard seed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mustard-seed/) [Sowing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sowing/) [Sowing Garden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sowing-garden-2106322/) ## Related quotes > [In a delightful garden, sowing, planting or digging are not hardship but are done with a zeal and a certain pleasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/in-a-delightful-garden-sowing-planting-or-digging-are-not-hardship/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [Our devotional life with God is more like the planting of a garden. When we arise from sowing into the secret place, we will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-sorge/our-devotional-life-with-god-is-more-like-the-planting-of-a-garden/) [Bob Sorge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-sorge/) > [Faith is the avenue to salvation. Not intellectual understanding. Not money. Not your works. Just simple faith. How much faith? The faith of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/faith-is-the-avenue-to-salvation-not-intellectual-understanding-not/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [“There is a story about the life of Buddha in which a mother carries her dead son to him draped in her arms. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanrithy-him/there-is-a-story-about-the-life-of-buddha-in-which-a-mother-carries/) [Chanrithy Him](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanrithy-him/) > [“Doubt is a lot like faith; A mustard's seed worth changes everything.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-johnson/doubt-is-a-lot-like-faith-a-mustard-s-seed-worth-changes-everything/) [Donna Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-johnson/) > [“She’d bought a blue notebook in the pharmacy to write down her aunt’s remedies. Star tulip to understand dreams, bee balm for a restful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/she-d-bought-a-blue-notebook-in-the-pharmacy-to-write-down-her-aunt-s/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [“Sometimes I really can't express how much I feel, but I can tell for a fact that some past years have been a victorious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/temitayo-olami/sometimes-i-really-can-t-express-how-much-i-feel-but-i-can-tell-for-a/) [Temitayo Olami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/temitayo-olami/) > [“True faith has no eyes, no ability to see. Instead, the Father left us with the most precious little grain—a tiny little thing—in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-denise-walker/true-faith-has-no-eyes-no-ability-to-see-instead-the-father-left-us/) [Ursula Denise Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-denise-walker/) > [“Following her instructions, I joined her in the chopping and mixing. The magical smell of pickling spices wound around us and it wasn't long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-goetsch/following-her-instructions-i-joined-her-in-the-chopping-and-mixing/) [Leslie Goetsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-goetsch/) > [I have a mustard seed; and I am not afraid to use it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/i-have-a-mustard-seed-and-i-am-not-afraid-to-use-it/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) > [The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. It happens quietly. It happens inevitably. Don’t underestimate God’s power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alistair-begg/the-kingdom-of-god-is-like-a-mustard-seed-it-happens-quietly-it/) [Alistair Begg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alistair-begg/) > [Love is like a mustard seed; planted by God and watered by men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muda-saint-michael/love-is-like-a-mustard-seed-planted-by-god-and-watered-by-men/) [Muda Saint Michael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muda-saint-michael/) > [“A germ of religious exaltation, no bigger than a mustard seed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yann-martel/a-germ-of-religious-exaltation-no-bigger-than-a-mustard-seed/) [Yann Martel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yann-martel/) > [“And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-riddle/and-jesus-said-unto-them-because-of-your-unbelief-for-verily-i-say/) [James Riddle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-riddle/) > [“Luke 17:5-6, a Lukan paraphrase of Mark 11:22-24, strikes a surprising note of pessimism: "The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!' And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-price/luke-17-5-6-a-lukan-paraphrase-of-mark-11-22-24-strikes-a-surprising/) [Robert M. Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-price/) ## More by Timothy Keller > [If you are trying to live a life in accordance with the Bible, the concept and call to justice are inescapable. We do justice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/if-you-are-trying-to-live-a-life-in-accordance-with-the-bible-the/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [The more you rejoice in your own forgiveness, the quicker you will be to forgive others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/the-more-you-rejoice-in-your-own-forgiveness-the-quicker-you-will-be/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [“Evangelism will come organically in friendship if we don’t let our pride, fears, and pessimism cause us to hide our faith and heart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/evangelism-will-come-organically-in-friendship-if-we-don-t-let-our/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [“The coming of the messianic King occurs in two stages. At his first coming, he saved us from the penalty of sin and gave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/the-coming-of-the-messianic-king-occurs-in-two-stages-at-his-first/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [ “24 A few pages later, Delbanco writes the following: \[Alexis de\] Tocqueville’s detection of a “strange melancholy in the midst of abundance” has a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/24-a-few-pages-later-delbanco-writes-the-following-alexis-de/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [“To stay away from Christianity because part of the Bible's teaching is offensive to you assumes that if there is a God he wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/to-stay-away-from-christianity-because-part-of-the-bible-s-teaching/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [If the preaching of our ministers and the practice of our parishioners do not have the same effect on people that Jesus had, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/if-the-preaching-of-our-ministers-and-the-practice-of-our/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [“of temple, presence, and sacrifice; of covenant and faithfulness; of kingdom and victory. When we seek to communicate the gospel to a particular culture,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/of-temple-presence-and-sacrifice-of-covenant-and-faithfulness-of/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [“Finally, you are ready to launch your church. Begin by developing action steps and goals that can be used as benchmarks to track your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/finally-you-are-ready-to-launch-your-church-begin-by-developing/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [If you are a child of God, you don’t lose your status if you have a bad week.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/if-you-are-a-child-of-god-you-don-t-lose-your-status-if-you-have-a/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [God's salvation does not come in response to a changed life. A changed life comes in response to the salvation, offered as a free…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/god-s-salvation-does-not-come-in-response-to-a-changed-life-a-changed/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [“When anything in life is an absolute requirement for your happiness and self-worth, it is essentially an ‘idol,’ something you are actually worshiping. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/when-anything-in-life-is-an-absolute-requirement-for-your-happiness/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [Suffering is the stripping of our hope in finite things, therefore we do not put our ultimate hope in anything finite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/suffering-is-the-stripping-of-our-hope-in-finite-things-therefore-we/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [Christ will do everything for you or nothing. He's either all of your righteousness or none.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/christ-will-do-everything-for-you-or-nothing-he-s-either-all-of-your/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [If we give God things in hope that they'll earn us blessings, we're really not doing anything for him. It's for ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/if-we-give-god-things-in-hope-that-they-ll-earn-us-blessings-we-re/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) [Explore all 843 Timothy Keller quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) ## More Garden quotes > [Possessions can possess you. Even a lawn can possess you. It makes you buy a garden hose. Which makes you water. Which cuts into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-bean/possessions-can-possess-you-even-a-lawn-can-possess-you-it-makes-you/) [Orson Bean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-bean/) > [One of the deepest and strangest of all human moods is the mood which will suddenly strike us perhaps in a garden at night,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-of-the-deepest-and-strangest-of-all-human-moods-is-the-mood-which/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We were so poor as kids. I didn't even see a bathtub, running water, hot water, commode - we didn't have any of that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-robertson/we-were-so-poor-as-kids-i-didn-t-even-see-a-bathtub-running-water-hot/) [Phil Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-robertson/) > [The writings of latter-day prophets clearly teach that the sorrows and sufferings endured by Adam and Eve upon their leaving the Garden of Eden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-k-judd/the-writings-of-latter-day-prophets-clearly-teach-that-the-sorrows/) [Daniel K Judd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-k-judd/) > [A garden has a curious innocent way of consuming cash while all the time you are under the illusion that you are spending nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-meynell/a-garden-has-a-curious-innocent-way-of-consuming-cash-while-all-the/) [Esther Meynell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-meynell/) > [“In the same way that the picturesque designers were always careful to include some reminder of our mortality in their gardens -- a ruin,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pollan/in-the-same-way-that-the-picturesque-designers-were-always-careful-to/) [Michael Pollan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pollan/) > [When you're the director and the writer, you never have to remember your lines, and there's no one to call you on it. On…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/when-you-re-the-director-and-the-writer-you-never-have-to-remember/) [Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/) > [There was a product on late night TV that you could attach to your garden hose - "You can water your hard-to-reach plants with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-hedberg/there-was-a-product-on-late-night-tv-that-you-could-attach-to-your/) [Mitch Hedberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-hedberg/) > [Plant flowers in others' gardens and your life becomes a bouquet! Submitted by Lisa Letto, Coordinator, Nutrition Resource and Volunteer Centre, College of Pharmacy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/plant-flowers-in-others-gardens-and-your-life-becomes-a-bouquet/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) > [There is usually no dreamer so unworldly as the anthologist. He wanders in a vast garden, lost in wonder, unable to decide often between…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-webb/there-is-usually-no-dreamer-so-unworldly-as-the-anthologist-he/) [Mary Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-webb/) > [Teaching children about the natural world should be seen as one of the most important events in their lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-berry/teaching-children-about-the-natural-world-should-be-seen-as-one-of/) [Thomas Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-berry/) > [If writing novels is like planting a forest, then writing short stories is more like planting a garden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/if-writing-novels-is-like-planting-a-forest-then-writing-short/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [In a delightful garden, sowing, planting or digging are not hardship but are done with a zeal and a certain pleasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/in-a-delightful-garden-sowing-planting-or-digging-are-not-hardship/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [Life on a small farm might seem primitive, but by living such a life we become able to discover the Great Path. I believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masanobu-fukuoka/life-on-a-small-farm-might-seem-primitive-but-by-living-such-a-life/) [Masanobu Fukuoka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masanobu-fukuoka/) > [Of course the Dharma-body of the Buddha was the hedge at the bottom of the garden. At the same time, and no less obviously,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/of-course-the-dharma-body-of-the-buddha-was-the-hedge-at-the-bottom/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) [Browse all 3,441 Garden quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/garden/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“GARDENS OR FIELDS? Craig Blomberg points out that in Matthew’s parable of the mustard seed, the sower sows his seed in a “field” (agros, Matt 13:31), while in Luke the sowing is in a “garden” (kepos, Luke 13:19). Jews never grew mustard plants in gardens, but always out on farms, while Greeks in the Mediterranean basin did the opposite. It appears that each gospel writer was changing the word that Jesus used in Mark—the word for “earth” or “ground” (ge, Mark 4:31) — for the sake of his hearers. There is a technical contradiction between the Matthean and Lukan terms, states Blomberg, “but not a material one. 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