The Parable of the Sower
This week we’re uncovering the Parable of the Sower found in Matthew 13:1-23. Check out this video as we learn about this week’s Bible study (also available as a podcast!).
Welcome to this week’s study of the Parable of the Sower, appearing in Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:4-15.
Local tradition believes that Jesus told this parable at a horseshoe-shaped cove along the Sea of Galilee, known as the “Cove of the Parables,” where His voice could carry to the large crowd to whom He spoke*. Overlooking the crowd, Jesus knew there were some who would take His teaching to heart, and others would not. Jesus was able to relate to the people, many who were farmers, by telling them a parable about a farmer sowing seed. By relating what was familiar to a spiritual truth, Jesus was able to challenge His listeners to consider the condition of their own hearts.
This is the first in a series of parables Jesus told to reveal the nature of the Kingdom of God or heaven. This kingdom refers to the rule of God - a present reality and future hope - and is a vital reality of the gospel Jesus preached (Mathew 4:17 and Mark 1:15).
DAY 1 - READ AND REFLECT
Let’s start by reading the full parable in Luke 8:4-15. If time allows, read the parable from the other gospel accounts as well, Matthew 13:1-23 and Mark 4:1-20, to get a clearer perspective on what Jesus was communicating.
Keep in mind a parable is a story that parallels a message Jesus was trying to communicate, which would've been more easily understood by the original audience. Without a deep connection to Jewish culture, Jesus’ point is often lost on us. To understand the heart of Jesus’ parables, ask the following questions, and watch as the parables of Jesus come to life!
Who is the audience and how would the original hearer have heard this?
What cultural reference points would the original hearer have known that I miss?
Does the parable have characters and how are they described?
Does the parable have an unexpected ending that highlights the point Jesus was trying to make?
If Jesus were to make this point today, what parable might He tell?
The middle of the Parable of the Sower revealed something AMAZING. Jesus said, “the knowledge [‘gnonai’ in Greek, meaning to understand or perceive] of the secrets of the Kingdom of God has been given to you” (Luke 8:10, NIV). Parables encouraged those truly interested in following Jesus to further consider the “secrets of the Kingdom of God,” which God Himself reveals to us (Ephesians 3:3).
Here are a few things to ponder as you read this parable:
The SEED represents God’s Word (Luke 8:11)
The SOIL illustrates the different conditions of the human heart
The GROWTH reveals our varied response to God’s Word
Pray to God and journal around whatever He highlighted through your study today.
Further Reflection: Consider the CONTEXT surrounding this parable, found in Matthew 12:22-37 and Mark 3:20-35. Both passages give the setting immediately before Jesus went to the lake. Earlier that day, Jesus had a heated conversation with religious leaders after He healed a man. The religious leaders were trying to discredit Jesus' true identity and accused Jesus of driving demons out by the power of Satan. In His response, Jesus refers to a basic kingdom principal - whoever is with Him will be known by good fruit. After revealing the hardened hearts of the religious leaders, Jesus went to the lake and told the Parable of the Sower, illustrating that accepting the truth of Jesus depends on how fertile the soil of a person's heart is.
DAY 2 - THE NATURE OF THE SEED
Today we’ll explore the nature of the seed, which is the written and spoken Word of God (Luke 8:11). Read Mark 4:26-29 and reread any version of the Parable of the Sower, replacing each use of the word ‘seed’ with the phrase ‘Word of God.’ What do you notice about the nature of this provision, this seed, from God?
Read Isaiah 55:10-13, to understand CONTEXT as it describes the natures of both the sower and the seed. What do you observe about the heart of God? What do you notice about the intent and power of God’s Word?
Every Word of God is perfectly designed to produce what He wants it to (Isaiah 55:11). And yet, God also knows that His Word will be received by some and rejected by others. Looking back in HISTORY, God had dealt with Israel's spiritual unresponsiveness before, which Jesus referred to when He quoted Isaiah 6:9-10 in His explanation about truth being hidden from those who reject Jesus’ message (Luke 8:10). Interestingly, when verses from the book of Isaiah are referenced in the New Testament, Jesus is being revealed as providing fulfillment of whatever is being quoted. So when Jesus quoted Isaiah 6:9-10 to His disciples (Mark 4:12), what do you think His purpose was?
Understanding CONTEXT, that Jesus is the Word (John 1:1) and that He dwelt among us (John 1:14), helps us understand that when we reject the Word of God, we reject Jesus. How does that influence your perception of what the sower is sowing?
Further Reflection: Take some time with God and journal about whatever you learned through your study today. Using Isaiah 43:6-8 as a springboard, pray that the Holy Spirit illuminates what God wants you to learn.
DAY 3 - THE NATURE OF THE UNFRUITFUL SOIL
Although this parable is known as the Parable of the Sower, some suggest it could be called the Parable of the Soil, because the soil represented how different hearts respond to the Gospel of Christ and is the focus of this parable. Jesus described three types of hearts that would not bear fruit. Today, let’s explore why.
PATH (Hardened Heart)
When the farmer walked through the field on hardened well-worn paths to scatter seed, inevitably some seed fell on the surface of the path and was trampled or easily picked up by birds. Read Mark 4:4,15 and Luke 8:5,12. What happened to the seed sown along the path? What do the birds represent in this parable?
Many Jews, including the religious leaders, were looking for someone else - a political Messiah that would conquer Rome. Their preconceptions blinded them to Jesus who came for hearts, as this parable so eloquently reveals. Others may have had a hardened, untrusting heart from years of being hurt and trampled on. Read 2 Corinthians 4:3-4. How does Satan hinder unbelievers' understanding of truth? Has anything ever blinded or trampled your heart and left it hardened?
ROCK (Emotional Heart)
Much of the terrain in the Holy Land was solid rock covered in a shallow layer of soil allowing plants to quickly sprout, but never establish roots and retain water. Read Mark 4:5-6, 16-17 and Luke 8:6, 13. What happened to the seed sown on the rock? What does the sun represent in this parable?
Jesus knew there would be many in the crowd who would quickly and enthusiastically respond to God’s Word and believe for a short while, but never establish roots or bear fruit. What might cause someone to quickly and joyfully embrace Jesus, but not have their belief in Him take root?
THORNS (Distracted Heart)
When the seed fell among thorns, it had to compete for nutrients and the plant was crowded as thorns grew together. Read Mark 4:7, 18-19 and Luke 8:7, 14-15. What happened to the seed sown among the thorns? What do the thorns represent in this parable?
Human nature hasn’t changed, but perhaps now more than ever we struggle to make room for God. Try as we might, our best efforts are mixed with worries and distractions of everyday life that can slowly overtake our hearts and keep us from pursuing a relationship with God. Read 1 Timothy 6:10. What effect can coveting money have on people? Can longing for something else do this as well? What about anxiety or doubts? Is there anything that needs to be “weeded out” of your life to make room for the seed to grow?
To which soil do you relate most?
Further Reflection: Colossians 2:2-10 describes being rooted in Christ, something God desires for each of us. Pray and ask God to strengthen your experiential reality of being rooted in Christ.
DAY 4 - THE NATURE OF THE FRUITFUL SOIL
Jesus knew the spiritual condition of every person in the crowd the day He told them the Parable of the Sower to get them to consider their own heart. Later, Jesus shared with His disciples what it all meant. There was just one type of soil (heart) that would respond and bear fruit.
READ the following verses in several translations. What distinguishes the receptiveness of a person when the seed sown on good soil sprouts and flourishes?
Mark 4:20 - How do they receive the Word of God?
Luke 8:15 - What kind of heart do they have? How do they bear fruit?
Matthew 13:23 - What is different about this heart (soil) compared to the first three?
Reconsider Isaiah 6:10. God wants our hearts… open and accepting of His Word, like the land in Isaiah 44:3, that received the water of the Holy Spirit. Read Psalm 119:97-104. What does receiving and putting God’s Word into practice look like for you?
Notice that Jesus opened the parable encouraging the crowd to “Listen,” and He closed it with the blessing, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear” (Mark 4:9, NIV). This summoned everyone listening to enter into the ‘Kingdom of God level of understanding’ available to anyone who believes Jesus. What areas of your life, specific words of God, or issues do you want to enter into a ‘Kingdom of God level of understanding’ about?
The soil of Mark 4:28 sounds wondrous, but what if we’re in a season that feels dry, rocky, or thorny? What if we sometimes feel confused when we read the Bible? Take heart! Even Jesus’ closest friends and disciples needed Him to explain the meaning of what He said. Continue to seek God who knows we need help! Read John 14:26, John 16:7, and 1 John 2:27. What gift of God can empower a Christ follower’s understanding of His Word?
Finally, be encouraged. Your hunger for God is evidence of His work in the soil of your heart...
Further Reflection: The word ‘hear’ in the parable is translated from the Greek word ‘akouein,’ which means to understand or to perceive the sense of what is said. Each time you read the Bible, you can engage with God… to ‘akouien’ His counsel, wisdom, truth, and grace through your reading, and to turn your heart and mind toward Him. Psalm 119:105 calls God’s Word a lamp for our feet and a light on our path. Ask the Lord to reveal any hindrances to you fully accepting His Word - any dry areas, rocky landscape, or thorns trying to squelch your growth. Receive the truth of God’s heart for you regarding any trials or testing you’ve experienced or are currently going through - He wants to deepen your roots through the process of persevering with Him. As you acknowledge and confess anything He brings to mind, receive His forgiveness, and ask Him what He wants you to know. In your journal, record the free flow of what comes to mind.
DAY 5 - NATURE OF THE SOWER
Today we’ll explore the nature of the sower after whom the parable is named. What can we infer about the heart of God by looking at the farmer in the parable? For example, what can be implied by the fact that the farmer scattered seed everywhere?
The initial and primary sower is Jesus (John 3:35-36), who reveals the Father in word, heart, and deed. Read John 5:19 and Hebrews 1:1-3. What can we understand about God’s heart by considering Jesus’ choices, words, and actions before, during, and after speaking the parable?
In this parable, the harvest most blatantly displays the heart of the sower. The abundant harvest multiplies as our hearts receive Christ, as His desires become our desires, and as we transform into sowers sharing the Kingdom of God with others! If you’ve been doing this for a while, don’t be discouraged if you don’t see the harvest you hope for when you tell others about Jesus. They may simply not be ready to hear it. While the desire is for everyone to receive God’s love, the fruitfulness of the seed is determined by the condition of the soil. Thankfully, heart change is in God’s hands. That being said, like the farmer, continue to scatter seed because you don’t always know when the soil is fertile. Look up the following verses and write what you learn about sharing the good news of Jesus with others?
Colossians 4:2-6
1 Peter 3:15-16
Matthew 5:14-16
The diversity of fruit in hearts that have received Christ - visible to and benefiting others - also wonderfully imparts the nature of the sower. Not everyone produces the same amount or form of fruit, but it will all be marked by love for God and others. If you’ve held on to God’s Word no matter the cost, your life will reflect that goodness (Matthew 7:20). Read the following verses and write down what you learn about good fruit:
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Galatians 5:22-23
Colossians 1:10
Hebrews 13:15
Matthew 25:34-40
How does Jesus affirm the love of God by communicating through this parable that to experience the saving faith that produces a bountiful harvest one must do more than just hear God’s Word or say they believe in Jesus?
Contributed by Guest Writer: Lenee Fuelling
*The ESV Study Bible (ESV) Bible by Crossway.
List of Parables
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