The Parable of the Sower and Soils

Jesus healed a demon-oppressed man, but the Pharisees accused Him of doing so by the power of the prince of demons. This lead to Jesus’ teaching on “blasphemy against the holy Spirit” ()

Jesus rebuked the Pharisees, who in return demanded a sign. Jesus promised no sign would be given except the “sign of the prophet Jonah.” ()

Jesus’ mother and brothers came and sought to take Him from the crowds. They were worried He was “out of His mind” (), but Jesus responded, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of my father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!” (Mt. 12:46-50)

What we see in is growing opposition, and even opposition on multiple fronts. The Jewish leaders are becoming angrier and more combative. Jesus’ own family is worried and far from supportive.

Jesus retires to the Sea of Galilee, but there He launches into a great discourse - a sermon comprised entirely of parables.

The parables mostly share a common theme - the concept of the Kingdom. In the midst of adversity and opposition, Jesus taught about the kingdom He was establishing. These are the parables we find in :

Parable of the Sower (and explanation): vv. 3-9 (18-23)

Parable of the Weeds (and explanation): vv. 24-30, 36-43

Parable of the Mustard Seed: vv. 31-32

Parable of Leaven: v. 33

Parable of the Hidden Treasure: v. 44

Parable of the Pear of Great Value: vv. 45-46

Parable of the Net: vv. 47-50

Again, most of these parables pertain to Christ’s kingdom. The parable of the sower is unique, however. Instead of being a parable about the kingdom, it is a parable about hearing and responding to God’s Word. Thus, it is a fitting introduction! The parable of the sower and soils was a call to the audience to open their hearts and listen to the words Jesus was teaching. It was a reminder to ensure their hearts were like the good soil which recieved the seed and produced fruit. Thus, when Jesus concludes the first parable He exclaims, “he who has ears, let him hear!”

The Parable Given

Matthew 13:3–9 ESV

3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear.”

Matthew 13:3–8 ESV

As He commonly did, Jesus used stories and pictures that His audience knew well. The agrarian picture He used was one the people of Galilee would have recognized intimately. He related His message in a way the people could understand if they desired to do so.

The process may sound strange to us, but it was fairly common in Palestine.

Sometimes farmers tilled their fields before sowing seed, and sometimes they didn’t. When it came time to plant, the farmer would walk through the field casting seed on the ground, or by letting seed fall from a bag with holes as he traversed the field. As he sowed, he knew there would be some seed that wouldn’t produce. The reason for this is explained:

The Path

Some seed would naturally fall on or by the paths that were used to walk through the field. Here the ground was hardened, and thus the seeds couldn’t penetrate the earth. Because the seeds just rested on top of the earth, they were easy pickings for birds that came and devoured them. Obviously such seeds would bear no fruit.

The Rocky Soil

Rocky soil is common in Palestine, and sometime the rocks are just below the surface of the dirt. It wasn’t that the sower is intentionally spreading seed on rocky ground - it’ s that the soil looks normal, but it is shallow. Seeds will penetrate the dirt and begin the growing process, but because of the shallow dirt and rocky base, roots won’t be able to grow very strong. Without proper roots, the beginning plants won’t get the moisture they need, and the sun will actually scorch them. Although the seed was planted and even began growing, once more no fruit would be born.

The Thorny Soil

Again, it’s not that the farmer intentionally cast seed into ground covered by thorns and thistles. Once more, the ground probably looks like all other ground. The thorns aren’t already there, they grow up with the plant from the seeds. The thorns are weeds that grow alongside the actual plants. These weeds and thorns steal the nutrients and choke out and starve the plants. Once again, the seed is planted and growth begins, but death is the result before there is any fruit to be born.

The Good Soil

Finally there is the good soil. Here the seed takes root, grows, and ultimately bears fruit. While we miss the surprise here, Jesus’ audience must have been surprised by the yields he mentioned. 100, 60, and 30 fold refers to how many seeds are harvested compared to how many were planted. Thus, a 30-fold crop would produce 30 times the amount of seed that was planted. The yields Jesus mentions are astounding. An average crop was somewhere around 10 fold. 30-fold harvests weren’t unheard of, but they were great harvests. 60 and 100 fold harvests were bumper crops!

Some Observations

The seed (which we will see in a moment is the Word of God) is the same. It wasn’t the seed that lead to unfruitfulness. The same seed that produced 100-fold also produce nothing. Thus, growth isn’t simply based on the seed.

The soil all appears the same: As we mentioned, the sower didn’t intentionally spread seed on hard, rocky, or thorny ground. At the outset, all the ground looked the same

The application here is that we should not try and determine which people will most likely respond to the gospel. We simply spread the word of God. Some will respond, others won’t. In truth, however, we can’t tell at the outset which people will receive the gospel and faithfully obey it and which ones won’t. Thus, like the sower, we simply spread the seed.

What makes the difference is what’s underneath, or what’s added to the soil. While all the soil looked the same, it wasn’t. Some was packed from travelling. Some had rocks under the surface. Some had “bad seed” that lead to the growth of thorns and weeds. Some was simply good, receptive soil.

The Parable Explained

Mt. 13:18

Matthew 13:18–23 ESV

18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

Understanding the Pictures

A key to understanding a parable is knowing what the various elements in the story represent. We should be careful to not over-allegorize every detail in a parable. Doing so has lead to some fanciful and frankly false ideas. Each parable contains at least one primary lesson however, and possibly a couple more, and those are the main pictures we need to determine. Thankfully, in this parable we have the symbols or pictures explained for us.

The Seed = the Word of God

Luke 8:11 ESV

11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

The Soils Represent: Our Hearts

Matthew 13:19 ESV

19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.

Mt.

Lk. 8:

Luke 8:15 ESV

15 As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.

This isn’t merely about emotions - heart refers to our inner being and will; out desire and motivation.

The Birds Represent: Satan

Mk. 4:

Mark 4:15 ESV

15 And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them.

The Rocky Soil and the Thorns Represent: Things that pull people away from serving God (Persecution and Pleasure)

The Path: The Hard Heart

The hardened path represents those who have hardened their hearts. They have no desire to hear the truth, and reject the truth without any consideration. The Pharisees could certainly fall in this category. They watched Jesus heal a man of demon-oppression. Instead of acknowledging His authority and power, they accused Jesus of using the power of Satan to perform miracles. Their hearts were hardened.

This hardening is not something done by God - it is something done through sin and rebellion. Some people just don’t want God to be their ruler. They like their sinful ways, and would prefer to continue in them. The coming parables are kingdom parables, which indicate Christ has the right to rule our hearts and minds. Some hearts simply don’t want Christ’s rule, so they reject it.

This is a dangerous place to be, because it opens up an opportunity for the adversary. The more we blatantly reject the truth, the easier it is for Satan to delude us.

The Rocky Soil: The Shallow Heart

The second type of soil is that which initially seems very promising. Jesus says this is the one who “hears the word and immediately received it with joy.” These are people who hear the gospel and respond favorably to it. We shouldn’t assume their belief is fake. Jesus says they, “believe for a while.” Sadly, however, their faith seems to be a shallow enthusiasm which won’t help them stand up to hardship and especially persecution.

The persecution Jesus speaks of is on account of the Word. This isn’t normal hardship - it’s hardship brought on because one has become a follower of Jesus. It is religious persecution.

Some people are happy to be a Christian as long as their faith helps them or at the least doesn’t cause them to suffer. This shallow type of faith doesn’t last long enough to bear real fruit however. It is like a plant with no roots - when the heat of the sun beats down, the plant withers. When the heat of persecution is turned up, this person withers also.

John 12:42–43 ESV

42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

John 12:

Galatians 6:12 ESV

12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.

Gal. 6:

Satan knows that persecution will cause some to fall away, because they have a shallow faith.

How deep and rooted is your faith? Are you willing to suffer for your loyalty to Christ? Are you willing to suffer persecution as a Christian?

Are you willing to be ridiculed by classmates and coworkers for not behaving, speaking, and dressing like they do?

Are you willing to be passed over for a promotion because you won’t do unethical things to win at work?

Are you willing to upset your boss or even lose your job because you won’t let your work come before serving God or attending worship services?

The Thorny Soil: The Strangled or Distracted Heart

Sometimes Christians are overcome by persecution. Other times, there are Christians who would likely stand firm in the face of persecution, but they crumble in the thralls of pleasure and distraction. Thus the third soil.

We aren’t told how this group responds specifically. Wherea

While the second soil group is said to be those who “receive the word with joy” we aren’t told much about this third group. That doesn’t mean they aren’t joyful or exuberant when they begin - and really this soil can be a great many people. These are people who’s faith is ultimately “choked out” by other priorities and desires. Matthew records two specific things that choke out the word: Cares of the world and deceitfulness of riches. Mark and Luke expand the final category of “deceitfulness of riches” to “deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things” or “riches and pleasures of life.”

Cares of the World

Life comes with certain cares and worries. Some times we allow ourselves to become so worried or preoccupied by these concerns that our hearts and minds are turned away from Jesus and His Word. Bills, health issues, relationships, careers, and many other things occupy our thoughts and minds. We must learn to not let these things hinder our faith. Jesus taught this same lesson in the sermon on the Mount.

Mt. 6:31

Matthew 6:31–33 ESV

31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Deceitfulness of Riches and Pleasures

Some people are choked by understandable concern. Others are choked by things. There is a warning and reminder here: often those who are weighed down by the cares of the world assume that with riches they would be free from such cares. Maybe riches would alleviate such cares and maybe they wouldn’t, but such riches might just bring other dangers.

We need to pay attention to Jesus’ warnings against riches and things. It’s not that money or things are inherently evil, but Jesus knew how distracting and dangerous they could be. If you are wealth, or if you are seeking to become wealthy, be aware! Be diligent to use your blessings for good and don’t be choked by them. Jesus warned about these dangers multiple times:

“Do not lay up for yourself treasure on earth....but lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven.” ()

“You cannon serve God and money.” ()

“…only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven.” ()

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” ()

“Woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation!” ()

Riches can be incredibly dangerous, because they slowly choke out the word from our lives. As we grow to love our riches and trust in our riches, we slowly turn away from true faithfulness to Christ, and ultimately we also become unfruitful.

The Good Soil: The Receptive & Obedient Heart

In contrast to all the other soils, there is the good soil. This is soil unencumbered by distractions and allows for a strong root system. Essentially, this is the receptive heart. This is the person who is willing to hear and listen to Jesus Words, and upon hearing them seeks to understand, apply, and obey them. Such a person can build roots that will help them stand against persecution, and such a person will not be choked by temporal and worldly distractions.

Seed that is planted in this soil does what it’s intended to do - produce fruit! Not only does the word produce fruit, it produces amazing yields! The person who is truly open and receptive to God’s Word can be used by God in the Kingdom.

The various yields may show that there are certainly differing levels of ability and talent, but all the yields Jesus mentions are amazing results! The power of the gospel is awesome, and it can turn the vilest sinner into a humble and fruitful servant of God. But that can only be the case if one is open and receptive to the Word of God. That means they must be open to its rebukes. They must be open to its commands. They must be open to its instruction, and open to trust in its promises. If they are, they can become transformed and fruitful servants.

Romans 12:1 ESV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Romans 12:2 ESV

2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Which Soil Are You?

Hopefully no-one here has a hard heart. Perhaps someone is on the way though. If we persist in sin and rebellion, then overtime our hearts can harden to the point that God’s Word doesn’t penetrate our mind and find root.

Are you rooted and grounded in the faith, ready to face hardship and persecution for the cause of Christ, or if persecution came would you wither like plants in rocky soil?

Are you rooted and grounded in the truth, but distracted by the things of this world? Could it be that worldly cares and distractions are choking out the spiritual good in you?

Strive to be the good soil. Open your mind and heart to God’s Word, and let it transform your life. Hear it, obey it, and let it turn you into a fruitful child of God.