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The Parable Of The Sower Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23

Setting  On Western shore of Sea of Galilee; late in 2nd year of preaching  During the Great Galilean Ministry  Jesus is beginning a “2nd tour” of Galilee Lk 8:1 The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23

Setting  Earlier that day…  …the scribes & Pharisees accused Jesus of healing by Beelzebul Mt 12:22-29  …the scribes & Pharisees demanded a “sign” from Jesus as proof Mt 12:38-45 The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23

Parable “Preliminaries”  The kingdom of God had already been “powerfully promised” & announced Dan 2:31-44 Mt 3:2 Mk 1:15  Re: something this eternally important, how might one ordinarily describe its nature and growth? The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23

Parable “Preliminaries”  How did Jesus choose to describe it? cp. Isa 53:2-3  Timing…  Most likely, it was in early spring  Fields would have been sown months only months ago The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23

Parable “Preliminaries”  His Audience…  There wouldn’t have been a man present who wouldn’t know about carrying a bag of seed and scattering it by hand in freshly plowed fields  No tractors…all by manual labor The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23

The Parable  A sower goes out to sow his seed  Seed falls on… Ê …soil beside the road (wayside) v. 4  Hardened earth due to trampling  Seed could not penetrate…would only be eaten by the birds Lk 8:5 The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23

The Parable  A sower goes out to sow his seed  Seed falls on… Ë …rocky soil vv. 5-6  Thin layer of earth with ledges of rock submerged (hidden) beneath  Deep enough for reception of the seed The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23

The Parable  A sower goes out to sow his seed  Seed falls on… Ë …rocky soil vv. 5-6  Not deep enough for roots  Sunlight eventually comes…any growth will ultimately be “scorched” (die) The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23

The Parable  A sower goes out to sow his seed  Seed falls on… Ì …thorny soil v. 7  Not ground already grown up with an infestation of thorns, weeds, briars, etc.  Good soil corrupted with thorn seed The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23

The Parable  A sower goes out to sow his seed  Seed falls on… Ì …thorny soil v. 7  Good seed sown here would have to compete with thorn seed…thorns will eventually choke out the good plants The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23

The Parable  A sower goes out to sow his seed  Seed falls on… Í …good soil v. 8  Seed could grow & flourish here  Fruit would come to maturity…different yields (100, 60, 30 fold) The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23

The Parable  Jesus concludes with an exhortation  “He who has ears, let him hear”  No one is excused…all are accountable to understand & apply this parable  Jesus’ disciples struggled Mk 4:13 The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23

The Application  The “seed” = word of God Lk 8:11  It is the imperishable seed that causes our new birth 1 Pet 1:22-25  It is the living & powerful tool God uses to teach us…discern our thoughts and intentions Heb 4:12 The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23

The Application  The 4 examples of soil represent the different types of the human heart  Explained by Jesus in vv  The most important part of this parable… the section of text we need to make sure we understand The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23

The Application  The 4 soils Ù The 4 human hearts Ê The Wayside Soil vv  Hardened hearts of those who are not concerned with the kingdom of God  Willful & proud…totally uninterested  Seared consciences 1 Tim 4:1-2 The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23

The Application  The 4 soils Ù The 4 human hearts Ê The Wayside Soil vv  Even Satan recognizes the power of God’s seed Lk 8:12  Thus, he comes and “snatches away” what hard hearts will not receive The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23

The Application  The 4 soils Ù The 4 human hearts Ê The Wayside Soil vv  Sin deceives and hardens Heb 3:7-13  Hard hearts do not listen to God’s voice  What does this soil produce? NOTHING  What’s to be done with it? NOTHING The Sower Matt 13:3-9, 18-23

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