The Parable of the Sower

13:1-9 Parable

Agricultural analogy for the Kingdom of God

A story

A sower who sows seed - worker

Seed:

seed that fell along the path, taken by birds (4)

seed that fell on rocky ground, lack of depth, dried up in the sun (5&6)

seed that fell on thorns, chocked out (7)

seed fell on good soil, productive (8)

13:10-17 Purpose of Parables

Parables were meant to be restrictive

Matthew 13:9 ESV

9 He who has ears, let him hear.”

The Apostles set apart (10-13)

They were selected to have special knowledge (secrets of the kingdom of heaven)

proximity

They would see things only others must believe through faith

special spiritual insight

they would be the witnesses to the work of God through Jesus

Given a greater burden of responsibility than us

they would be selected to write these things that would become Scripture

Scripture fulfilled

13:18-23 Parable explained

The Sower is Jesus Christ

Matthew 13:37 ESV

37 He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.