The Parable of the Sower - Part 1

Introduction

This parable appears in the Synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. In each case there is a collection of parables and allegories with which Jesus taught the people. In Matthew (chapter 13) we have a collection of eight parables, in Mark (chapter 4) three parables and two allegories, and in Luke (chapter 8) the single parable and two allegories. In all cases Jesus provides some explanation of the parable of the sower.

In this study we are focussing on the Parable of the Sower; Matthew 13: 1-23, Mark 4: 1-20, and Luke 8:1-15. As we do that we must remember the context of Jesus’ ministry.

“Jesus’ parables must be related both to his message on the Kingdom of God and to his ministry in which he proclaimed the Kingdom of God and demonstrated its presence with exorcisms and healings…

… We can apply Jesus’ parables to the church today after we have interpreted them in the context of Jesus’ ministry.”

(Schnabel, E.J. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries Mark, 2017, p100)

We will bear this in mind as we seek to understand this parable and what it may mean for today.

This particular parable, appearing in the three Synoptics, serves a sort of dual purpose; possibly marking a turning point in Jesus’ ministry.

“It is usually agreed that the parable with which the section begins and which is given prominence in all three Synoptists marks something of a turning-point. The crowds were thronging about Jesus. He was becoming popular. But he looked for more than a superficial adherence, so he intensified his use of parables, stories which yielded their meaning only to those prepared to search for it. The parables demand thought and spiritual earnestness. They separate the sincere seeker from the casual hearer.”

(Morris, L. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries Luke, 2008, p170)

There is some variance in the three accounts, that is not unusual or problematic. Remember that the Gospels are biographical material and the authors have selected and arranged the material we see here, as all good biographers do. The one difference worth commenting on is the presence of Jesus’ teaching on “Mother and Brothers”. In Matthew and Mark it comes before the parables and allegories, and in Luke it comes after them. It is worth noting this because it shows us that Jesus, while growing in public popularity, was not simply building a fan base. Jesus is after those who do God’s will, who will hear God’s word and put it into practice.

“For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Matthew 12: 50

“Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

Mark 3: 35

“He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice””

Luke 8: 21

Jesus is building a family of those who will hear and do, much of His teaching across all four Gospels reinforces this point; for example see the parable of the two builders, or Jesus’ teaching on the Good Shepherd, or His encounter with the woman at the well

Personal Question

• Read Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8, read them through slowly, maybe a couple of times each.

• Ask God to help you understand and practice what you read.

The Sower

There are two key components in this parable; the sower and the soil. We can think of ourselves as both. Let’s first look at the sower.

What can we learn about the sower? This parable is one that Jesus goes on to explain, so we can learn quite a lot.

The sower scatters the word of God, the seed, where he works. There are a couple of points of application here.

1. He operates in his sphere of influence.

2. He knows the seed he has.

“Then he told them many things in parables, saying “A farmer went out to sow his seed.”

Matthew 13: 3

I think it is safe to infer that the farmer was sowing in his own field, not the field of a neighbouring farmer. Each of us has a field, a place where we can sow. We should be sure to sow in that place.

It can be so easy to look at someone else's field and try to sow there. I may see a friend who God placed in a position of political influence, or one who works in sport, and wish that I could be effective there instead of in my own community and workplace. If I try to sow in that way then my own area is neglected and the seed I sow is not sown effectively. All this reminds me of the teaching we read in Hebrews.

“... and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…”

Hebrews 12: 1

Each of us is called by God, each commissioned by Him to go out and make disciples. Yet we each have our own race marked out, our own field to sow in.

We can also see that the farmer knows the seed he has, and that seed is the word of God.

“A farmer went out to sow his seed.”

Luke 8: 5

“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.”

Luke 8: 11

The farmer knows the word of God and sows it in his field. For us, then, the question becomes what is the word of God, and how do we sow it?

To answer that first part of the question we can turn to John’s Gospel.

“The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”

John 1: 14

Jesus is the word, Jesus is God made flesh and dwelling among us.

“The Word that is God became God in human flesh. Everything that is God was brought into human existence in the person of Jesus.”

(Galloway, I. Called to be Friends, 2021, p13)

In this parable the farmer is sowing the word. For us that means sowing Jesus in the world around us. So, how do we sow Jesus?

Paul helps us answer this question.

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”

Ephesians 3: 16-17

As Christ dwells in us we are carrying the word, our seed to sow, wherever we go. We are not the important part, as Paul says we are earthen vessels carrying this treasure (2 Corinthians 4: 7) our role is to let it show.

“Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”

Matthew 5: 15

By being who God made us to be we are sharing Him with the world around us. In practical terms it can be very simple things; sharing that we go to Church, acts of kindness and service, invites to Church events, and offers to pray for people. All of these things are acts of sowing the word, acts of sharing Jesus within the field God has given us.

Personal Question

• What is your field? Who are the people you are sowing Jesus amongst?

• Ask the Spirit to strengthen you, that you may reveal more of Jesus to those around you.

The Soil

As we read Jesus’ explanation of the parable, given only to His disciples, we should find freedom to sow. In all three accounts, Matthew 13: 10-23, Mark 4: 10-20, and Luke 8: 9-15, there are four places the seed is sown and only one of those produces a crop. We need to be free with the seed as we sow. Yes, some of that will fall on the path, or the rocky ground, or among thorns. But some will fall in good soil. If we wait, holding our seed until we think we have found good soil we may never sow it. That will definitely not yield a harvest.

The challenge in sowing is to sow liberally and not fear that some, maybe most, won’t land in good soil. As we sow, we pray, pray for the hearer to receive well, and pray for the harvest. We see this in Mark’s Gospel.

“He also said “This is what the Kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.”

Mark 4: 26-27

We are responsible for sowing and for harvesting (Mark 4: 29), but God is the one who makes the seed grow, who causes His word to bear fruit.

In the next part of this study we will look more closely at the soil in the parable. For now we should realise that we can be liberal with the seed we sow.

Personal Question

• Consider how you can be more liberal with sharing Jesus to those around you.

• Ask God to help you with that, prompting you to sow the truth of His word more feely in the coming days.