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The Parable of the Sower is one of the most important parables to understand; Jesus said if you don’t under stand this parable then you won’t be able to understand the other parables. The Parable of the Sower concerns a sower who scatters seed, which falls on four different types of ground, represents four states of the human heart.
The Parable
of The Sower is found in Matt 13:3-23; Mk 4:2-20; Lk
8:4-15.
In this study we will be comparing the three passages to learn the meaning of the parable of the sower. Each of these writers brings out different essentials details to understanding the importance of the parable. Jesus; explanation of the Parable of the Sower is found in Matthew 13:18-23; Mark 4:14-20; and Luke 8:11-15.
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
READ: Mark 4:1-20
V. 9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
(Mark 4:10 KJV) And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
(Mark 4:11 KJV) And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
(Mark 4:12 KJV) That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; "to put together" lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. V.13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
The Gk. word mysterious indicates something now revealed that has been hidden.
1 Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Mat 16:15 - 17
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ,
the Son of the living God.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou,
Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it
unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
2 Cor 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
(Mark 4:3 KJV) Hearken; Behold,there went out a sower to sow:
"To listen closely"
(Mat 13:19 KJV) When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, (Mark 4:14 KJV)
(Luke 8:11 KJV) Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
A) the word of the kingdom
B) the word
C) the word of God
(Mark 4:4 KJV) And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.
(Mat 13:19 KJV) 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.
(Mark 4:15 KJV) And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
(Luke 8:12 KJV) Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
A )
heareth the word of the kingdom and understandeth it not
"To comprehend / know
or perceive" "to put together"
B ) they have heard
C ) they that hear
The fowls of the air:
A) wicked one
B ) Satan
C ) devil
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Devoured it up:
A ) catcheth away that which was sown in his heart
B ) taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts
C ) taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved
The way side or the path represents people who don't understand what they hear, they fail to understand how the word of God applies to them, Satan blinds their eyes to the truth, or puts mental stumbling blocks in their way, preventing them from getting saved.
Heb 3:13 Exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
2 Tim 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
(Mark 4:5 KJV) And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:
(Mark 4:6 KJV) But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
(Mat 13:20 KJV) But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
(Mat 13:21 KJV) 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.
(Mark 4:16 KJV) And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
(Mark 4:17 KJV) And haveno root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.
(Luke 8:13 KJV) They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
Immediately it sprang up:
A ) anon with joy receiveth it
B ) immediately receive it with gladness
C ) receive the word with joy
No depth of earth:
A ) hath he not root in himself
B ) have no root in themselves
C ) these have no root
Note: in himself and in themselves
The stony places with no depth of earth and moisture, represents people therefore, who hear the word but they are not strong, they are shallow people, that is they are just hears of the word and not ones that get into the word for them selves and the sun represents the persecution that comes.
Psa 1:2, 3 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Success = HB = a prim. root; to be (caus. make or act) circumspect and hence intelligent
Circumspect = careful to consider all related circumstances before acting, judging, or deciding; cautious; careful
The sun was up :
A ) tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word
B ) affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake
C ) temptation
1 ) tribulation great suffering
2 ) persecution to treat cruelly or harass
3 ) affliction cause pain / suffering or distress
4 ) temptation to lure or entice
2 Tim 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
2 Cor 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
1 Cor 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
it withered away
A) by and by he is offended
B ) immediately they are offended
C ) fall away
offended "arouse resentment"
(Mark 4:7 KJV) And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
(Mat 13:22 KJV) 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.
(Mark 4:18 KJV) And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
(Mark 4:19 KJV) And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
(Luke 8:14 KJV) And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
A ) the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches
B ) the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in
C ) cares and riches and pleasures of this life
1 ) care
of this world
"
to be concerned or anxious /
interested "
The Gk. word originally meant to care, or to be concerned about.
2 )
deceitfulness of riches
" dishonesty / guile "
3 ) lusts
of other things
" passionate desire / intense
feeling desire "
4 )
pleasures of this life
" enjoyment or delight / that which
pleases "
A) he becometh unfruitful
B ) it becometh unfruitful
C ) bring no fruit to perfection
"becometh unfruitful"
"has defects / has flawls"
John 15:5:6 I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
If a person does not bear much fruit - - then it states here that they are not remaining (abiding) in Christ, and will be thrown into hell. So those among the thorns that are bearing immature fruit are not qualified to be reckoned children of God. For as children of God remain in Christ, they bear MUCH fruit. Either having little or no fruit from one's Christian life, such a person is not to be deemed saved, we have seen that they had fruit but lost it. The seed among the thorns, therefore, are they who hear the word but are so drowning in the distractions, cares, issues, abundance, and pleasures of this life that the seed does not grow to maturity or completion.
This person has allowed the cares of the world keep the word from bearing fruit in them.
Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mat 6:31-34 Take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Heb 11:13 - 16 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
(Mark 4:8 KJV) And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.
(Mat 13:23 KJV) 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.
(Mark 4:20 KJV) And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
(Luke 8:15 KJV) But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
A) he that heareth the word, and understandeth it
B) such as hear the word, and receive it
C) which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it
"free from any defect / flawless"
1) understandeth the word "To comprehend / know or perceive" "To put together"
2) receive the word "To take something given or sent" "To take into mind"
3) keep the word "To retain / continue in a given state or continue in a course of action" then brings forth fruit with patience some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred
Thus, the good ground represents people who not only hear the word but also understand and deliberately receive it and keep it.
1 Cor 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1 John 3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
(Mark 4:9 KJV) And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
(Mark 4:9 NLT) "Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!"
Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
A) hard heart from sin
Heb 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Ezek 18:31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
1 John 3:2-6 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
B) stony heart no personal root in the word
Ezek 11:19, 20 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
2 Cor 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart.
Psa 45:1c my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
C) thorny heart any thing other than the kingdom
Num 33:55 But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.
2 Pet 2:7, 8 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation behavior of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
D) good heart receive the word understandeth it and keeps it.
Proverbs 4:20-27
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my
sayings.
Let my words, my sayings not depart from thine eyes;
keep my words, my sayings in the midst of thine heart.
For my words, my sayings are life unto those that find
my words, my sayings, and health to all their flesh.
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the
issues of life.
Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips
put far from thee.
Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look
straight before thee.
Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be
established.
Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy
foot from evil.
