Parable of the Sower

This is one of the few parables that includes the explanation. But during Jesus’ ministry, only the disciples received the explanation. All others were left to consider what Jesus meant. Who was the sower? What was the seed? How did their lives match up with the three conditions given? Were they withering or thriving?

Today I’m not going to make any comments on the passage. Read it. Pray for eyes to see and ears to hear so that you can understand what the Lord is saying to you.

The Parable:

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.” 

The Explanation:

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.” 

Mt 13:3–9, 18-23.

Lord, open my eyes and my ears so that I can perceive the truths that are in your word.