The Parable of the Sower - Bible Story
Lisa Loraine Baker
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That same day Jesus left the house and went to the lakeside, where he sat down to teach.
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The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it, while the crowd stood on the shore. 1
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He used parables to tell them many things. "Once there was a man who went out to sow grain.
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As he scattered the seed in the field, some of it fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.
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Some of it fell on rocky ground, where there was little soil. The seeds soon sprouted, because the soil wasn't deep.
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But when the sun came up, it burned the young plants; and because the roots had not grown deep enough, the plants soon dried up.
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Some of the seed fell among thorn bushes, which grew up and choked the plants.
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But some seeds fell in good soil, and the plants bore grain: some had one hundred grains, others sixty, and others thirty."
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And Jesus concluded, "Listen, then, if you have ears!"
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Then the disciples came to Jesus and asked him, "Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?"
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Jesus answered, "The knowledge about the secrets of the Kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.
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For the person who has something will be given more, so that he will have more than enough; but the person who has nothing will have taken away from him even the little he has. 2
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The reason I use parables in talking to them is that they look, but do not see, and they listen, but do not hear or understand.
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So the prophecy of Isaiah applies to them: 3 "This people will listen and listen, but not understand; they will look and look, but not see,
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because their minds are dull, and they have stopped up their ears and have closed their eyes. Otherwise, their eyes would see, their ears would hear, their minds would understand, and they would turn to me, says God, and I would heal them.'
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I assure you that many prophets and many of God's people wanted very much to see what you see, but they could not, and to hear what you hear, but they did not.
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"Listen, then, and learn what the parable of the sower means.
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Those who hear the message about the Kingdom but do not understand it are like the seeds that fell along the path. The Evil One comes and snatches away what was sown in them.
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The seeds that fell on rocky ground stand for those who receive the message gladly as soon as they hear it.
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But it does not sink deep into them, and they don't last long. So when trouble or persecution comes because of the message, they give up at once.
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The seeds that fell among thorn bushes stand for those who hear the message; but the worries about this life and the love for riches choke the message, and they don't bear fruit.
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And the seeds sown in the good soil stand for those who hear the message and understand it: they bear fruit, some as much as one hundred, others sixty, and others thirty."
Matthew 13:1-23 Study Resources
Sermons
Sharing Your Faith
Jill Briscoe
What happens when you come to know the King? You will want everyone else to know Him, too. Jill Briscoe describes Him as a hidden treasure that needs to be shared. Listen as she shares the excitement of telling the Good News!
Combating Crows, the Enemy of the Harvest
Jill Briscoe
Have you ever witnessed someone growing in their faith and then suddenly there is a horrible spiritual attack? Jesus warned there is an enemy of the harvest—crows that are bent on snatching the seeds scattered in the fields before strong roots can take hold.We may not like to think about it, but Satan is eager to discourage and snatch away believers. In this message, Jill Briscoe encourages all the saints to get in the fight, disciple those around them, and help people grow strong roots in their faith.
Tending the Kingdom's Garden
Jill Briscoe
It’s easy to see when a garden needs watering. The plant leaves begin to wilt, the ground becomes dry, and cracks appear. And if the plants aren’t tended to, they’re at risk of withering and dying.It’s the same with people who need Jesus. In this message, Jill Briscoe helps us understand what’s at risk and asks us to dedicate ourselves to impacting people in our sphere of influence.
The Power of the Seed
Jill Briscoe
Can an orchid grow in a putrid and smoldering garbage pile? Yes, and it has. That’s the power of life within the seed. And so it is with the Good News. Are you all out for Jesus, scattering news of Him wherever you go, no matter how dirty or unwelcoming the circumstance might be?In this message, Jill Briscoe encourages us to believe that God’s Word will always find good soil. It’s up to us to take advantage of every opportunity so that the fields will be ready for someone to come along and harvest to the glory of God.
Sharing Your Faith
Jill Briscoe
What happens when you come to know the King? You will want everyone else to know Him, too. Jill Briscoe describes Him as a hidden treasure that needs to be shared. Listen as she shares the excitement of telling the Good News!
Teaching in Parables Part 2
John Randall
The Parable of the Sower -- by far, one of the more familiar parables taught by Jesus during His earthly ministry. It’s a timeless story with a heavenly meaning that contains truths that apply to both believers and unbelievers alike. Would you like to have a heart that is producing something fruitful? If so listen to a Daily Walk.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.
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