Matthew Chapter 13- Part 1
The Parable of the Sower- Read (Matthew 13:1-23)(Mark 4:1-20) (Luke 8:4-15)
Parable comes from the Greek word "parabole"which means "a placing beside" and is a comparison or illustration.
Matthew Chapter 13 is a chapter of 7 parables through which Jesus taught his followers, matters pertaining to the kingdom of heaven. The parable of the Sower is placed first here by Matthew.
Jesus said, "The sower went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell by the road, and it was trampled under foot, and the birds of the sky devoured it. Other seed fell on the rock, and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture. Other fell amid the thorns, and the thorns grew with it, and choked it. Other fell into the good ground, and grew, and brought forth a crop, thirty, sixty and one hundred times of what was sown."
His disciples asked him, "What does this parable mean?" Jesus explained....The seed is the word of God. Those by the road are those who hear, then the devil comes, and takes away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rock are they who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; but these have no root, who believe for a while, and fall away in time of temptation. That which fell among the thorns, these are those who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. That in the good ground, these are such as with a honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold to it firmly, and bring forth abundant fruit with patience."
The Sower is Jesus working himself (then) and later (now) through his disciples. 4 groups of people are seen here- The unsaved listener who does not understand and believe, the emotional convert (not truly born again), the carnal believer and the fruit bearing true believer.
