The parable of the sower has a widespread application. There is no other parable in the New Testament that will teach us more about ourselves and where we stand before God than this one.
Background information for the parable:
- It has been given many names throughout the centuries.
- Parable of the sower (Matthew 13:18)
- Parable of the soils
- Parable of the hearts
- Parable of the hearers
- It is found in three of the four gospels.
- It is one of Jesus most well-known parables.
- Unfortunately, it is also misunderstood by many people today!
The figures used (Matthew 13:3-9)
- Seed (vs. 4)
- Sower (vs. 3)
- Soils
- Wayside (vs. 4)
- Rocky (vss. 5-6)
- Thorny (vs. 7)
- Good soil (vs. 8)
The meaning (Matthew 13:18-13)
- The seed is the word of God (Matthew 13:19; 1 Peter 1:23).
- The sower is the teacher of God’s word (Mark 4:14; 16:15-16).
- The soils represent people’s hearts (Matthew 13:19; Luke 8:12, 15).
Which soil represents our heart?
- The wayside soil (Matthew 13:19)?
- This person chooses to reject word of God (Joshua 24:15).
- The rocky soil (Matthew 13:20-21)?
- This person is converted, but falls away (Galatians 5:4; Hebrews 3:12).
- The thorny soil (Matthew 13:22)?
- This person brings forth no fruit (2 Peter 3:18).
- The good soil (Matthew 13:23)?
- This person holds to the word and brings forth fruit (John 15:8).
Conclusion: Only the good soil is saved!
