The Sower, the Seed, and the Soils

Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow.” (Matthew 13:3)

Matthew 13 is all about parables, stories Jesus used to describe the work of God and the response of man. Jesus used parables so the hearts of those rejecting would not be hardened further (Matthew 13:10-17). The same sun that softens the wax hardens the clay; and the same gospel message that humbles the honest heart and leads to repentance may also harden the heart of the dishonest listener, confirming them in the path of disobedience.

The opening parable of Matthew 13 is famous. Jesus told the story of a farmer casting seed (a sower), and the seed fell on four kinds of soil or ground.

The first seed fell on the “wayside” or footpath (Matthew 13:4) and was quickly eaten by birds. Just so, some receive God’s word with hardened hearts and the devil snatches away the sown word. This represents those who never hear the word with understanding. The word of God must be understood before it can truly bear fruit. One of Satan’s chief works is to keep men in darkness regarding the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).

The second seed fell “on stony places” (Matthew 13:5-6). Planted in thin soil on top of stone, this seed quickly grew but then withered and died. Just so, some respond to God’s word with immediate enthusiasm yet soon wither away. They are not willing to endure tribulation or persecution because of God’s truth.

The third seed went “among the thorns” (Matthew 13:7). As it grew, the stalks of grain were soon choked out by thorny weeds. Just so, some respond to the word and grow for a while but are choked and stopped in their spiritual growth by competition from unspiritual things such as the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches.

Finally, the fourth seed fell on “good ground” (Matthew 13:8). This brought a good crop of grain, and some respond rightly to the word and bear fruit. They bear fruit in differing proportions, but there is a generous harvest for all.

We can benefit from seeing bits of ourselves in all four soils.

– Like the wayside, sometimes we allow God’s word no room at all in our lives.
– Like stony places, we sometimes have flashes of enthusiasm in receiving God’s word but quickly burn out.
– Like soil among thorns, the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches constantly threaten to choke out God’s word and our fruitfulness.
– Like good ground, God’s word bears fruit in our lives.

Yet, notice that the difference in each category was with the soil itself. The same seed was cast by the same farmer. The different outcomes were not the fault of the seed or the sower, but of the kind of soil they landed on.

Here is our prayer: “Lord, plow and prepare the soil of my heart to receive Your word and give an abundant harvest.”

Click here for David’s commentary on Matthew 13