Matthew 13:3-9,18-23, Parable of the Sower

Parables are easy to understand because they use real life situations we can relate to.  The point may require some study, but the story is easy.  In this parable remember how a farmer planted his crops in those days.  He had the seed in a bag, slung over his neck.  He walked up and down and across the field, casting the seed in front of him.  There was a limited amount of precision; because you didn’t want to miss a good spot you cast seed everywhere.  Inevitably some would land on the road around the field, some fell in the rocks, some fell where thorns would not allow it to get enough moisture and sun, and some, hopefully most of it, landed on good ground where it bore fruit.  So what’s the point?  The disciples asked and Jesus gave the answer.

First, note that Jesus calls it the parable of the sower (v18).  Some want to call it the parable of the soils since it is the soils that are different.  They want to say that the point is to do a better job of preparing the soil.  But Jesus says this parable is about the “sower,” the one who is sowing the seed.  Let’s keep that in mind.

The “heavenly” point of the parable has to do with spreading of the word of God.  Each of the soils represents different situations where people hear or receive the word of God.  For some it has no value at all.  There is no plant because the seed (which is, therefore, the word) lays on the hard ground until it gets snatched up by a bird. 

The next two soils represent people who have temporary evidence of a plant but no fruit; the plant dies before it can bear any fruit at all.  In the case of the stony ground, the problem people have is that they wilt under the pressure of persecution or trouble, just like the plant wilts in the hot sun that reflects off the stones.  Perhaps they have not denied themselves and taken up their cross to follow Christ.  Perhaps they have forgotten that the disciple will be like the Master, and the Master endured great hostility from sinners against Himself (Heb. 12:1-3).

They there are those whose joyful reception of the word is choked out by the cares of life.  They become too wrapped up in their worries and earthly concerns, and are unable to be good soldiers of Christ (2 Tim. 2:3-4). 

But then there are those who receive the word joyfully and who bear fruit.  There are differences between these “plants” in that some bear more fruit than others.  But the one thing in common is that they all bear fruit.  And, of course, by their fruit people will be known (Mt. 7:15-20).

We can learn much from this parable.  Hearing is not the end of sowing seed; neither is joyful receiving or just being a plant.  Bearing fruit is the goal.  But the thing to keep in mind is that this is meant to give perspective to the sower.  He needs to cast out the seed everywhere, knowing that not everyone will respond in truth.  The gospel needs to be preached everywhere, not just where we think people will respond with fruitfulness.  The sower sows.  GOD GIVES THE INCREASE (1 Cor. 3:6).