The Parable of the Sower
Read: Matthew 13: 1-9; 18-23
There is nothing abnormal about the conditions which the sower encountered, all the conditions
present may have been encountered within the same field. The point of this parable is the fate of
the seed. The title of the parable may be misleading because the sower himself is not the focus of
attention. It is the seed and the soils which are the subjects. The description of the four types of soils
focuses on their varying receptiveness to what they hear. It’s important to note that they all hear the
same word. Yet each type is identified as being sown in a different type of soil:
Path – This person hears the Word but doesn’t understand it. The word that is only heard is easy
prey for the evil one. It is a non-starter.
Rocky Places – Here the Word is received with joy but without any understanding and commitment it
cannot last. When persecution, trials or conflict arises this person falls away. There is a start but then
when pressure hits, the person collapses under it.
Thorns – This time the soil is good but it is already taken up. The world (secular concerns) offers
pleasures that the seed can’t compete with. The seed starts and even grows a bit, yet is choked out
by these weeds.
Good Soil – Finally the hearing is matched by understanding and a crop is produced with a large
yield. This is the purpose of sowing of the seed.
In the context of Jesus ministry, this parable serves to explain why it is that the good news of the
Kingdom meets with such a varied response. The fault lies not with the message but with those who
receive it. We see both lack of understanding and pressures from the outside effecting the harvest.
The wonder isn’t that so many don’t produce fruit but that any do!
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Unreceptiveness, shallowness, preoccupation with the world, etc. are not faults merely confined
to unbelievers. Do you see any of those things in your life?
2. Have you ever been discouraged when you see the people around you show a lack of response
to the Gospel? Ask the Lord to show you which type of soil these people are and how you can
pray for them.
3. Spend some time thanking the Lord for your response to the Gospel! It is amazing that you have
come so far in your journey with God. Ask Him to help you to keep following Him and to keep
growing you!
