THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER (2)

Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23; Mark 4:3-9, 14-20; Luke 8:5-8, 11-15

Victor M. Eskew

 

          In our previous bulletin (newsletter), we began a study of “The Parable of the Sower.”  This appears to be the first major parable proclaimed by Jesus.  He is the one responsible for the name of the parable, “The Parable of the Sower” (See Matt. 13:18).  Too, this is one of only a few parables for which Jesus provides the interpretation.

          We have already looked at the earthly story Jesus told about a sower who sowed his seed on four different soil types.  Let’s now consider the spiritual application Jesus lays along side that story.  Again, Matthew, Mark, and Luke set forth the interpretation.  Matthew’s account of Jesus’ interpretation of the parable is found in Matthew 13:18-23.

 

                   Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.  When any one heareth                                      the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh                                          the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his                                            heart.  This is he which received seed by the way side.  But he that                             received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the                                      word, and anon with joy receiveth it; yet hath he not root in himself,                                     but dureth for a while:  for when tribulation or persecution ariseth                                       because of the word, by and by he is offended.  He also that received                                    seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of                                       this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he                                       becometh unfruitful.  But he that received seed into the good ground                                    is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also bear-                                      eth fruit, and bringeth forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some                                      thirty.

 

Notice that although the application is similar to the story, it is spiritual in nature.  The seed is the Word of the kingdom (Matt. 13:19).  The four soils are four different types of hearts into which the Word of God is sown.  Each of the soils react differently to the word sown within them.         

Let’s look at Mark’s record of Jesus’ interpretation of The Parable of the Sower found in Mark 4:14-20.

 

                   The sower soweth the word.  And these are they by the way side,                                          where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh                                       immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.                                 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who,                                       when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;                                  and have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time:  after-                                   ward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, imme-                                 diately they are offended.  And these are they which are sown among                                   thorns; such as hear the word, and the cares of this world, and the                                      deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke                                 the word, and it becometh unfruitful.  And these are they which are                                     sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring                                 forth fruit, some thirty, some sixty, and some a hundred.

 

There are a few minor differences between Matthew’s account and Mark’s account.  Mark names the wicked one, that is, Satan.  He reveals that Satan comes “immediately” to remove the Word of God from the heart of the way side heart.  Mark uses the word “gladness” where Matthew uses the word “joy.”  Matthew notes tribulation and persecution impacted the stony heart.  Mark refers to affliction and persecution.  In addition to the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches, Mark adds “the lust of other things” that also choke the word in a stony heart.  Mark also reverses the order of the amount of fruit brought forth by the good soil.       Luke’s gospel records Jesus’ interpretation in Luke 8:11-15. 

 

                   “Now the parable is this:  The seed is the word of God.  Those by the                                     way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away                                    the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe, and be saved.                                      They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word                                      with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time                                 of temptation fall away.  And that which fell among thorns are they,                                     which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with the cares                                  and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.                                    But that on good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart,                                 having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

 

Luke’s is the most concise account.  He refers to the evil one as “the devil.”  He also reveals why Satan is so quick to remove the word from their hearts, “lest they should believe.”  He simply notes that “temptation” is the cause of the falling away by those described as stony soil.  He does not tell us about the quantity of fruit produced by the good soil.  He notes that the good soil brings forth fruit “with patience.”

          We will have one more article about “The Parable of the Sower.”  We will note some of the lessons that are found in the parable.  Just from simply reading the story and its interpretation, we get a lot of food for thought.