Where does the belief that seeds die before they turn into a living plant come from?

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Multiple times in the New Testament, it is being stated that a seed needs to die in order to be turned into a plant.

Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.

That belief is obviously incompatible with modern biology. But where does it come from? Was that belief also expressed by some Ancient Greek philosopher the authors of the New Testament would have been familiar with?

I have also asked this question on Biblical Hermeneutics StackExchange.

It’s the description of an appearance. Seeds do not appear to be alive. As Nudger implies, this sort of thing is common in mythology - life/death/rebirth.

Boru