The Parable of the Sower Explained

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

The Parable of the Sower Explained

Date: May. 22, 2021

Passage

Matthew 13:18-23 (ESV)

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.”

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 13:23

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.”

1. The three bad kinds of ground (18-22)

Jesus said that the parable of the sower is about whose heart can receive the word of God. The first type of ground, the path, is like someone with a hard heart; as soon as they hear the word, the devil takes it away. The rocky ground is like someone who responds with joy to the word, but they don't put down deep roots, and so they fall away when persecution comes. The weedy soil represents a person for whom the concerns of earthly life choke the growth of God's word. Considering these spiritual dangers, we can examine the condition of our own hearts before God.

2. Good heart soil (23)

If our heart is a soil where the word of God can take root, we have great prospects. We will grow spiritually mature and our life will be a blessing to many people. We can ask the Holy Spirit to soften our hard hearts, and we can prioritize meditating on God's word until it transforms our inner self.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your insight about how the word of God grows in our hearts. Please make me good soil to bear fruit for your kingdom.

One Word: Good heart soil bears an abundant crop.

The Lamb Will Triumph

Revelation 17:1-18

Key Verse: 17:14

They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”

Today's Question

What is creation?

See answer and references