Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

The Parable of the Sower

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the lake. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!’

The Parable of the Sower Explained

‘Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.’

This comes first in a chapter of parables, a word that refers to a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. This story called to mind a familiar picture of farming in Galilee, and in addition to its particular message it served as an opportunity for Jesus to explain why he taught in parables. This is because they provide an ideal medium for the majority of the crowd to hear a straightforward message, whilst at the same time offering deeper truth that can be perceived by those who have some grasp of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.

The simple message, evident at the end of the parable itself before its later explanation, is that a good harvest can be anticipated even if some of the seed is wasted. Seed was broadcast sown by hand. Some fell on hard-packed soil where people had walked, offering easy pickings for birds. Some fell on areas where there was bedrock near the surface preventing deep roots from forming. Some fell where dormant thistles were present. But the fruitfulness of the good soil more than made up for the losses.

Jesus does not usually spell out the deeper meaning that disciples should perceive in a parable; he does so only for this one and the one that immediately follows it which concerns weeds sown by an enemy in a wheat field. He says that in this present parable, the seed stands for “the word of the kingdom” and the four soils represent different ways in which people might receive it. It is only when a person “hears the word and understands it” that it bears fruit, in plentiful amount although with variation from person to person.

Blessings as we pray that we might hear the word, understand the word, and act on the word and produce much fruit.  Be safe!  Be well!  The Spirit has come!

 To Ponder:

•  Which kind of soil resembles the way you most often respond to Jesus’ message?
• Can you recall any situation in which this parable was or could have been an encouragement to you when you felt that your own words were falling on unfruitful ground?
• In addition to money which is singled out, what would you say are the other “cares of the world” that can prevent us bearing the fruit of the kingdom?