Matthew 13:18-23

The Interpretation of the Parable of the Sowing Of The Seed (13:18-23).

As we look at this interpretation we will note how perfectly it fits the words of the parable without being over-allegoristic. It is simple, straightforward and telling, with its background in Scripture. There is no good reason for doubting that we have the immediate words of Jesus. It is as much noteworthy for what it does not say as for what it does say. It does not, for example, define the sower. Because it was in a context where Jesus was speaking it did not need to do so. All knew Who the sower was. The question was what He had to say.

Analysis.

a “Hear you then the parable of the sower” (Matthew 13:18).

b “When any one hears the word of the kingly rule, and does not understand it, then comes the evil one, and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is he who was sown by the way side” (Matthew 13:19).

c “And he who was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the word, and immediately with joy receives it, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles” (Matthew 13:20).

b “And he who was sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the word, and the care of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22).

a “And he who was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word, and understands it; who truly bears fruit, and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty” (Matthew 13:23).

Note that in ‘a' the parable is about the sower, and in the parallel we have described what the sower is out to achieve. In ‘b' we have one reason for failure where the words has no impact at all, and we have the same in the parallel. Centrally in ‘c' are those who make a quick profession and equally quickly fall away when some difficulty arises.