The Parable of the Sower
Introduction
Jesus taught in parables to reveal truths about the kingdom of
heaven to those who truly desired to know them. Each parable
highlights some aspect of the kingdom—its nature, its citizens, its
growth, or its end. The first parable recorded in Matthew 13 is the
Parable of the Sower. It lays the foundation for understanding all
the other parables, because Jesus Himself interprets it. This lesson
teaches us how people respond to the word of God and why some bear
fruit while others do not.
The Setting
of the Parable
In Matthew 4:17, Jesus began His ministry by preaching, “Repent, for
the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He performed mighty works, yet
most people rejected His message. By Matthew 11, whole cities
refused to repent even after seeing His miracles. Some even plotted
to destroy Him (Matthew 12:14). Because of this widespread
rejection, Jesus began to speak in parables (Matthew 13:10–13). The
parables were a way for those who were sincerely seeking truth to
understand, while those who hardened their hearts would remain
blind.
The Sower,
the Seed, and the Soil
The parable is found in Matthew 13:3–9. A sower went out to sow, and
the seed fell on four types of soil: the wayside, the stony ground,
the thorny ground, and the good ground. Jesus explained that the
seed represents the word of the kingdom, the sower represents anyone
who teaches the gospel, and the soils represent different kinds of
hearts. Every response to the gospel can be found in these four
categories.
The Wayside
Soil
The seed that fell on the wayside was devoured by birds. Jesus said
this represents those who hear the word but do not understand it,
and the wicked one comes and snatches it away (Matthew 13:19). These
are hardened hearts, packed down by pride, sin, or indifference. It
is not that they are incapable of understanding, but that they
choose not to. Satan blinds them by offering false teachings or
distractions that seem more appealing. Many religious groups today
cater to this mindset, changing their message to make it easier and
more comfortable, but truth cannot be changed.
The Stony
Soil
The seed that fell on rocky ground sprang up quickly but withered
because it had no depth of soil. Jesus said this represents those
who receive the word with joy at first but fall away when
tribulation or persecution comes (Matthew 13:20–21). These are
shallow hearts with no root. Their response is emotional or
superficial. When discipleship becomes costly, they stumble. Jesus
warned us to count the cost (Luke 14:28). True faith must be
grounded, rooted deeply in conviction, or it will not endure.
The Thorny
Soil
The seed that fell among thorns was choked, producing no fruit.
Jesus explained this represents those who hear the word but allow
the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and pleasures
of life to choke the word (Matthew 13:22). These are divided hearts.
They try to serve God while clinging to the world, but the result is
barrenness. As Jesus said, “You cannot serve God and mammon”
(Matthew 6:24). This soil is a warning against misplaced priorities.
The Good
Soil
The seed that fell on good ground produced fruit—thirtyfold,
sixtyfold, or a hundredfold (Matthew 13:23). This represents honest
and good hearts who hear the word, understand it, and keep it with
patience (Luke 8:15). The word of God brings life when it is
received fully. Fruitfulness is the proof of genuine discipleship.
Not all will bear the same amount of fruit, but every faithful
Christian will bear some.
Practical
Lessons
This parable helps us understand why people respond differently to
the gospel. It is not the fault of the seed—the word of God is
always good and powerful. The difference lies in the condition of
the soil—the heart. It also challenges us to examine ourselves: What
kind of soil am I? Have I hardened my heart? Am I shallow in my
commitment? Am I distracted by the world? Or am I open, receptive,
and fruitful? Finally, this parable reminds us to keep sowing. The
sower scattered seed everywhere. Our job is not to decide where to
sow but to spread the word faithfully.
The Parable of
the Sower Sermon Outline
Call to
Action
Jesus concluded this parable with the words, “He who has ears to
hear, let him hear” (Matthew 13:9). This is a personal call to every
one of us. Which soil describes your heart? If your heart has been
hard, shallow, or distracted, let God’s word soften and change it.
Be the good soil—receive the word, obey it, and bear fruit for the
kingdom.
Key
Takeaways
-
The seed is
the word of God (Luke 8:11).
-
The soil
represents the condition of our hearts.
-
Satan steals
the word from hardened hearts (Matthew 13:19).
-
Trials test
shallow faith (Matthew 13:20–21).
-
Worldly
cares choke divided hearts (Matthew 13:22).
-
Good hearts
bear fruit with patience (Matthew 13:23; Luke 8:15).
-
Our
responsibility is to keep sowing and trust God for the increase
(1 Corinthians 3:6–7).
Scripture
Reference List
-
Matthew
13:3–23 – The Parable of the Sower
-
Mark 4:1–20
– Parallel account
-
Luke 8:4–15
– Parallel account
-
Matthew 4:17
– Preaching the kingdom
-
Matthew
11:20 – Rebuking unrepentant cities
-
Matthew
12:14 – Plotting to destroy Him
-
1
Corinthians 3:6–7 – God gives the increase
-
Luke 8:11 –
The seed is the word of God
-
Luke 14:28 –
Counting the cost
Prepared by
Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO
|
The
church of Christ
