Parable of the Sower and the Four Soils: Matthew 13:3-8, 18-23; Mark 4:3-8, 14-20; Luke 8:5-8, 11-15
The parable of the sower and the four soils is a story told by Jesus to illustrate how people react to the word of God.
To begin, Jesus tells us about a person who is sowing seed. The seed ends up falling on four types of soil:
These seeds all have different fates.
After Jesus tells this story, Jesus’ disciples ask him why he speaks in parables. Jesus explains why, and then he explains the meaning of the parable of the sower and the four soils.
The seed represents the word of God, and the four soils represent four different ways people react to God’s word.
Seed on the Path
The seed sown on the path, and eaten by birds, represents anyone who hears the word of God and does not understand it. Therefore, what they have heard is snatched away from their heart by the devil.
This situation is a classic example of "to those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away." (Luke 8:18) Those who have understanding will understand more and more. However, those who do not understand, even what understanding they seem to have will be taken away.
Jesus begins Luke 8:18 by saying, "Then pay attention to how you listen," which means anyone can understand as long as they listen carefully.
Seed on Rocky Ground
The seed that falls on the rocky ground represents someone who hears the word of God and immediately receives it with joy. However, they have no root or foundation, so they do not last very long. Jesus says, "when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away." (Matt. 13:21)
Seed Choked by Thorns
The seed that falls on the ground with thorns is representing someone who hears God’s word, but all the concerns of the world (such as the enticement of having lots of money) ends up choking the word.
The word of God is not able to yield any fruit in that person’s life.
Seed on Good Soil
The seed that falls on good soil represents "the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields." (Matt. 13:23) This situation is the perfect example of someone who "to those who have, more will be given." (Luke 8:18)
Thankfully, because God has given us freewill, we are able to choose which kind of soil we are. If we do not understand something, we can pursue understanding until we do. We can research, ask questions, and learn.
As this parable of the sower and four soils illustrates, only seed that produces fruit is considered to have fallen on good soil. If the word of God does not produce fruit in our lives, then our hearts are not fertile soil for God's word. This is because Our Actions Reveal the Truth about what we truly believe and they reveal whether we really understand the Meaning of Repentance and Salvation.
Study the parables of Jesus in this easy-to-read 40 day devotional.
This devotional takes the unique approach of
understanding Jesus' parables by examining the genre, scriptural
context, and historical culture. Your life will be transformed by studying the parables of Jesus Christ.
Go to previous parable: New Wine in Old Wineskins
Go to next parable: Mustard Seed
← Back to The Parables of Jesus Christ from Parable of the Sower and the Four Soils
Go to Messiah of God Home
What is love? It's a call to action. Guest post by Ben Byrum.
If you have stage 4 pancreatic cancer, then with current medical technology you have likely not been given any hope for getting better. Your cancer is terminal. In fact, with many diseases...
Probability of the Universe Existing in Coin Flips: Flipping a coin has a 50/50 chance of heads vs tails. How many times do you think you could flip heads in a row with a 50/50 chance?
Wildfires in Tennessee have temporarily displaced thousands of people fleeing from the destruction. Over 100 homes have been destroyed, as well as hotels and businesses. Thus far, seven people...
Obeying God's will is actually more simple than it seems. The truth is that some actions are good (holy), some actions are bad (sinful), and the majority of actions are completely neutral...
Having God answer your prayers can result in overwhelming feelings of joy, relief, and thankfulness. However, sometimes doubt of God's intervention can appear and begin to steal your confidence...
For unbelievers, there are only a few ways to prove that God exists, depending on how willing they are to accept God's existence. For unbelievers who are...
Sanctification is a widely accepted belief that bridges the gap between the biblical mandate for obedience to God and the practical application of living a Christian life as...
"Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect." One of the problems with modern Christianity is the mainstream concept that "It is impossible to be perfect."
When someone owes us money or has taken something away from us, often courts of law are necessary to recover what was lost. However, is it okay for Christians to sue others?