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.” (Matthew 13:18–23 ESV)
Matthew 13:1-52 is a collection of parables of the kingdom of heaven. It is the third major discourse contained in Matthew. It follows the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7) and the Commissioning of the Apostles (Matt. 10). It precedes the Childlikeness of the Believer in Christ (Matt. 18) and the Olivet Discourse on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (Matt. 24-25).
Matthew 13:1-50 contains seven parables concerning the Kingdom of Heaven. These include the Parable of the Sower (Matt. 13:3-23), the Parable of the Weeds (13:24-30), the Parable of the Mustard Seed (13:31-32), the Parable of the Leaven (13:33), the Parable of the Hidden Treasure (13:44), the Parable of the Pearl of Great Value (13:13:45-46), and the Parable of the Net (13:47-50).
We are presently focused on the Parable of the Sower (Matt. 13:3-9). The Parable of the Sower describes four different soils that receive the seed sown by a sower and four different results. In today’s text, Jesus provides the interpretation of the parable.
“Though this parable is more commonly named after the sower of the seed, the “parable of the soils” is a more fitting title. The role of the sower in the story is important, but the parable’s point is twofold: first, to explain why different soils — different people — respond differently to the Gospel and, second, to invite us to examine ourselves to think about the kind of soil we hope to be,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
Hear then the parable of the sower.” Jesus commanded His audience to pay attention to the meaning of the parable. He wanted them to understand its truthful meaning and application in their lives.
Regarding the first soil (Matt. 13:4), Jesus taught, “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” (vs. 19).
With respect to the second soil (Matt. 13:5-6), Jesus explained that “21As 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” (vs. 20-21).
Concerning the third soil (Matt. 13:7), Jesus taught, “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” (vs. 22).
With respect to the fourth soil (Matt. 13:8), Jesus said, “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,” (vs. 23).
The first soil represents the antagonistic individual. His heart and soul is hardened to the Gospel that it resists all penetration by the seed, which is the Word of God. The devil and his minions, who were often represented by birds in first-century Jewish literature, devour the truth.
The second and third soils represent positive responses to the Gospel. These involve an initial joy that proves shallow because of persecution, and an ultimate distraction because of the worries or pleasures of everyday life. What seems to be a sincere response ultimately results in apostasy and rejection of the Gospel.
The fourth soil represents the true conversion of an individual by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit (John 3:1-8; Titus 3:1-5). The proof of a conversion is the resulting spiritual fruit (Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 2:10; James 2:14-26).
“The fourth soil is notably different. This one understands and bears fruit — he accepts and conforms his life to the Gospel (Matt. 13:8–9, 23). The presence of fruit, not its quantity, is what matters,” states Dr. Sproul.
“The fertility of that soil which yields a thirty-fold produce is small compared with that which yields a hundred-fold…[but Jesus] classes together all kinds of soil which do not entirely disappoint the labors and expectations of the husbandman,” explains John Calvin.
“That which distinguished this good ground from the rest, was, in one word, fruitfulness. He does not say that this good ground has no stones in it, or no thorns; but there were none that prevailed to hinder its fruitfulness,” writes Matthew Henry.
What soil best represents you? I pray it is the fourth for all of us. Have a fruitful day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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