The Parable of the Sower

Scripture Reading

The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some [seeds] fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Matt. 13:1-9

The Parable Explained

Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth [it] not, then cometh the wicked [one,] and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth [it;] which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Matt. 13:18-23

Interesting Observations

In this Bible study on the parable of the sower, there are some very interesting observations that merit further commentary. While on the surface, it may appear as though Jesus is giving a lesson on planting seeds, the illustrations provide very accurate parallels to a person’s faith. For any gardening enthusiast though, seeds that either fall by the wayside, or in stony places, or among thorns are apt to suffer from lack of soil, ability to take proper root, or getting choked out from thorns or weeds.

He That Heareth

But enough about the material aspects of gardening. Let us move on to the more pertinent points that Jesus is teaching to the multitudes. In reading through the passage of the parable of the sower, notice what stands out in each of the four illustrations. Three words are repeated in each case and that is “he that heareth”, meaning he that hears the word of God. This is a most interesting observation because many will indeed hear the word of God, or message of the gospel, but the response and reaction from people will be very different and will come with eternal consequences.

Take for example the first illustration when Jesus speaks about seed falling by the wayside. In essence, the seed is wasted and comes to naught for it cannot take root and is subject to birds quickly eating it. Similarly, the one who hears the word and does not understand it falls peril to the wicked one, known as the devil, who takes away what is sown in their heart. How often is this the case when the gospel message is shared with someone only for them to have no comprehension of the saving grace as shared in the message.

Then in the second instance, once again someone hears the word of God, and even receives it with joy but the stony ground prevents it from taking root. In the gardening example, there is no depth of soil amongst the stony ground and similarly the word, despite being received with joy, has no opportunity for root growth in someone’s heart. Then if trials and tribulation are encountered because of someone’s perceived sense of faith, they quickly become offended and there is no staying power.

In the third instance, again someone hears the word of God but like the thorns in the garden that choke out the good seed another dilemma is presented. Despite their perceived sense of faith, more focus is given in their life for caring about things of this world and the pursuit of riches, resulting in the word to be choked out. As with the first two examples, nothing comes from hearing the word of God because of the influences of this world overtaking one’s faith.

Sown into Good Ground

This then brings us in the parable of the sower to the fourth person from the example Jesus shared with the multitudes. Again it is someone who hears the word and much like seed sown into good ground it produces good crops or bears good fruit. It is interesting that not all people will produce the same amount of fruit and in this case, fruit is used as a metaphor for producing good works for the kingdom of God. Nevertheless, it is noted that some will produce one hundred fold, some sixty fold and some thirty fold.

Here is the distinguishing point from the four examples of individuals who hear the word of the kingdom. While the last person has the seed or word sown on good ground and produces fruit, the other three individuals produce no fruit whatsoever, at least as it is noted in the parable. The logical conclusion also resonates with the earlier teaching from Jesus on false prophets where he states how we will know them by their fruits. For better understanding, this is further illustrated from this passage of scripture.

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Matt. 7:15-20

Time for Contemplation

This Bible study on the parable of the sower should give readers cause for contemplation on the examples shared by Jesus. For seekers of faith it is important to be aware that a lack of understanding in hearing the word of God can prove to be very detrimental to developing one’s faith. If this is you, then consider reaching out for assistance from a reputable church or pastor to gain a better understanding of Christianity and its message of saving grace.

The apostle Paul aptly noted how the gospel message is marked by simplicity and yet many cults for example are determined to make it complex and confusing by introducing secondary sources of authorship into their beliefs. Paul notes the simplicity of the gospel, “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” [2 Cor. 11:3] Therefore, try not to make it overly complicated or to over think the gospel message. If you are not sure what the gospel is, consider referencing Paul’s writing in one of his other letters, where he clearly outlines the gospel in a few verses as noted in the following passage of scripture.

The Gospel Message

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.

1 Cor. 15:1-4

From this passage, the two pivotal statements to remember are “that Christ died for our sins” and “by which ye are saved”. This is the atoning work on the cross at Calvary and it is the only atoning work by which we are reconciled back to God. This is why Jesus proclaims that he is the way, the truth and the life in John 14:6. There is no other way under heaven by which we are saved in the Christian faith but through the Lord Jesus Christ.

The apostle Peter spoke of this during his witness and testimony to the high priests and elders of Israel, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” [Acts 4:12] Repeat that three times for good measure, none other name under heaven! If any preacher tries to introduce the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ PLUS something else in order to be saved they are not preaching true Christianity.

What About You

Let us therefore close this Bible study on the parable of the sower by giving heed to the other individual’s plight noted by Jesus. Are you a seeker of faith or a professed believer but have found that the word is falling upon stony places in your heart? Are you a seeker of faith or a professed believer but have found that the word is being sown among the thorns in your life? Are the cares of this world or the deceitfulness of riches choking out the word of God from your life?

Dear reader, give careful and cautious heed to these conditions as they will result in a perilous faith life where no fruit is produced. This is not authentic Christianity, at best it is worldly Christianity with an admixture of worldly pursuits. Ask yourself therefore, are you producing good fruit, some a hundred fold, some sixty fold and some thirty fold? If not, give prayer and contemplation to the sacrifice Jesus made for your life to save you from your sins and ask in your heart what life you should live for Jesus knowing his blessing is upon your life for eternity?

Bible Study Questions

1. In this study on the parable of the sower, what is the common element experienced in all four examples shared by Jesus?
2. How many people failed to produce fruit in this parable after hearing the word of God?
3. From the examples given by Jesus, if one of the first three examples reflects something in your life, what can you do today to change it to bring glory to God?
4. Is there someone you know who has experienced one of the first three examples in their life? If so, how could you pray or share this concern with them to help them in their faith?
5. For a faith building exercise from the parable of the sower, please consider memorizing Acts 4:12 over the next week.
6. Have you ever encountered someone who you felt was a false prophet? If so, what alerted you of this concern?
7. If you have found that the word of God in your life is producing fruit on good ground, how could you share this with someone as a witness for Christ?

Helpful Resources

https://www.blueletterbible.org/