Usually, wanting to emphasize the importance of something, we repeat it several times. It is the same in the Word of God: if something is repeated several times, it means that it is especially important and should be given special attention. One such passage that is repeated many times is the parable of the sower. Indeed, out of all four biographies of Jesus Christ, this parable appears three times. Therefore, let's explore it and see what especially important the Lord wants to teach us in this parable.
Parable
The Parable of the Sower is found in Matthew 13:1-8, Mark 4:1-9, and Luke 8:4-8. Let us take as a basis the account from Luke, where we read:
Luke 8:4-8 “When a great crowd had gathered, and the inhabitants of all the cities were coming to Him, He began to speak in a parable: A sower went out to sow his seed, and as he sowed, some fell by the wayside and was trampled, and the birds of the air devoured his; and some fell on a stone and, coming up, dried up, because it had no moisture; and some fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew and choked it; and some fell on good soil and sprang up and bore fruit a hundredfold. Having said this, he exclaimed: “Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear!”
The moment at which Jesus decided to tell this parable was not chosen by chance. Indeed, as it is said in the fourth verse: “When a great crowd was gathered, and the inhabitants of all the cities came together to Him, He [seeing that a great multitude was coming to Him - approx. author] began to speak in parables...” Jesus spoke this parable when many people came to Him to hear the Word of God. As we will see, the parable is about listening to the Word of God. Therefore, Jesus, in telling this parable, wanted everyone who came to Him to hear the Word to be aware of the choice they would be given.
Why the seed of faith does not sprout in every soul
Despite the fact that the seed that carries the Word of God is always filled with hidden Divine power, it is not able to germinate in every soil. The soil necessary for faith to take hold in a person is his own heart.
As diverse as the soil can be, so diverse are the people who receive grains of knowledge about the Lord and Eternal Life from the preacher. It would seem strange to apply the laws of agronomy to a living person. However, they allow us to better understand the wondrous images and symbols that fill the parable of the sower.
When a farmer prepares to cultivate the land, he first of all pays attention to the composition of the soil in order to choose the optimal treatment option. One soil requires nutritious fertilizing, another requires alkaline fertilizers, and the third is itself rich and fertile, and therefore requires minimal cultivation. The same principle can be applied to spiritual life.
Important! Before you start sowing, you should determine what exactly can prevent the seed of faith from germinating and bearing fruit. Having eliminated the cause of sinful thoughts and passions, a person will prepare for the coming of the Sower.
"On the Road"
Looking at the above passage from the Gospel of Luke, we can say that this parable is about a seed that falls into four different types of soil, the first of which was “by the wayside.” As Luke 8:5 says:
Luke 8:5 “…a sower went out to sow his seed, and as he sowed, some fell by the wayside and was trampled, and the birds of the air devoured it.”
One of the sown seeds fell “ON THE WAY” and therefore did not sprout and bear any fruit, but was trampled and eaten by birds.
The interpretation of this part of the parable is given a few verses below. So Luke 8:11-12 says:
Luke 8:11-12 “This is what this parable means: The seed is the word of God; and those who fell along the way are the ones who listen, to whom the devil then comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they do not believe and are saved.”
Also in Matthew 13:19, in the interpretation of the same part of the parable, it says: “...to everyone who hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in his heart—this is what is sown by the wayside.”
According to the above passages, the seed that is sown is the WORD of GOD, or “the word of the kingdom.” However, this Word does not produce the same result everywhere, since its fruitfulness depends on the ground into which it falls. One possible type of soil is the land “by the road,” which, according to the interpretation of the parable, denotes people who, although they hear the Word of God, do not understand it. What is meant by the words “they do not understand” - we learn about this from the context of the parable. Thus, the Greek word translated “knowing” in the above passage is a derivative of the verb “suniemi,” which is used six times in Matthew 13, five of which are in relation to our parable. Thus, Matthew 13:13-15 says:
Matthew 13:13-15 “...Therefore I speak to them in parables, that seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, and they do not understand [Greek: “suniemi” - approx. author], and it comes true over them [over those who seeing do not see and hearing does not understand - approx. author] the prophecy of Isaiah, which says: you will hear by hearing, but you will not understand [Greek: “suniemi” - approx. author], and you will look with your eyes and will not see, FOR [for this reason, although they hear, they do not understand. – approx. auth.] the hearts of these people have become coarse, and their ears are hard to hear, and they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and do not understand [Greek: “suniemi” - approx. author] heart, and let them not turn so that I heal them.”
Such a person, although he hears the Word, does not understand it in his heart (the spirit of his mind). What is meant here in the parable of the sower is not a simple mental understanding of the Word. Rather, it is understanding, accepting the Word with all your heart, spirit of mind. Therefore, the result that the seed of the Word will bring will depend on the soil, on the hearts of those listening to the Word. The same seed falling into different soil, i.e. into qualitatively different hearts, gives different results. If the heart is hardened, then the seed of the Word of God will be like the seed that falls by the wayside. It will not sprout and, of course, will not bear fruit at all. As stated in 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 and Ephesians 4:17-19:
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, to those who do not believe, whose minds the god of this world has blinded, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of the invisible God, should shine to them.”
And in Ephesians 4:17-19 “Therefore I speak and charge in the Lord, that you no longer walk as other nations walk in the vanity of their minds, being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of their ignorance and the hardness of their hearts. . Having reached the point of insensibility, they have given themselves over to debauchery in such a way that they commit all uncleanness with gluttony.”
There are people to whom the Word of God is “closed” and who cannot “understand” it, not because the Word of God is difficult to understand, but because their hearts have become hardened and hardened, preventing the seed of God’s Word from germinating.
Also, the Greek word translated “darkened” in the Ephesians passage is the word “porosis,” which means “insensibility.” The same word is used in Mark 3:5 to describe the hearts of a characteristic group of people who persecuted Jesus so much—the Pharisees:
Mark 3:5 “And [Jesus] looked at them [that is, at the Pharisees (see Mark 2:24) - approx. author] with anger, grieving over the hardness of their hearts [Greek: “porosis” - “insensitivity” - approx. author]..."
Next to the Pharisees was the Son of God Jesus Christ Himself!!! They heard and saw the greatest Teacher, the greatest who ever lived on earth. And yet they did not believe in Him. Why? Because their hearts have become hardened, i.e. were very rigid and unsuitable for the acceptance and growth of the seed of the Word. It was not the seed - the Word of God - that was to blame, but the EARTH, their hard hearts.
What does the seed and field symbolize?
In the parable, a small seed symbolizes the Word of God, which is about to enter the human soul and grow there. Christians believe that the person who has grown the sprouts of faith and goodness in his heart will be awarded Eternal Life and will always remain close to the Lord.
Just as a seed carries within itself the life of the future plant, the gospel word carries within itself the sprouts of life - in this case, we mean true, spiritual life. That is why the field in this parable stands for all of humanity, all the people who have ever lived on Earth.
Under favorable conditions, the germ of faith that has entered the human soul will soon bear fruit. Such a person always carries the living power of God's Word in his soul and can share it with others.
“Others fell on rocky places”
Having considered the first kind of soil into which the seed of the Word of God falls, let us now come to the second. About him Matthew 13:5-6 says:
Matthew 13:5-6 “...other [seed] fell on rocky places where there was little soil, and quickly sprang up, because the soil was shallow. When the sun rose, it withered and, as if it had no root, withered away.”
The seed can germinate in different types of soil. But not all of them will survive and bear fruit. One of the soils is one in which a seed that, although it sprouted initially, ultimately failed to take root because it was in rocky ground. The reason why the seed did not take root is that the stones do not allow it to take deep roots, which is necessary to find moisture. Therefore, as soon as the wind blows, it dries up.
Turning to the Gospel of Mark to interpret this part of the parable, we read:
Mark 4:16-17 “In the same way those who were sown on rocky [places] are those who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy, but have no root in themselves and are fickle; then, when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, they are immediately offended.”
As we can see, rocky ground is represented by people who hear the Word of God and immediately accept it, even joyfully. However, this is not for long, for when tribulation and persecution arise, such people just as quickly fall away. It is obvious that the problem, which ultimately causes them to fall away, is that they are very weak in tribulation and persecution. Therefore, when the devil arranges such events against them, they immediately fall away. The reason they fell away was not because the tribulation was too much for them to bear, for 2 Corinthians 4:17, 1 Corinthians 10:12-13, and 1 Peter 5:10 tell us that when we are tempted, there will also be a way for us to escape, so that we can transfer (1 Corinthians 10:12-13). The reason is that they do not want to offer even the slightest resistance to the devil (as this passage says: they are “immediately offended”). James 4:7 says:
James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God; resist the devil, and [as a result of your opposition - approx. author] will run away from you.”
Also, 1 Peter 5:8-9 says, “Be sober and watchful, for your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Resist him with firm faith, knowing that the same sufferings happen to your brothers in the world.”
If we do not resist the devil, he will not escape from us. In other words, he consumes those who do not oppose him. People with hard hearts are also potential targets for the devil. When the devil comes and brings sorrows, they immediately become easy prey for him. They start well, but unfortunately end poorly.
Four types of soil and human souls
In the parable, the Lord gives examples of four types of spiritual conditions: a passable road, a rocky area, a thicket of thorns, and good land. These are the four types of structure of the soul.
Road
The first type is associated with the road. The road itself symbolizes something fleeting, frivolous. Once on a road, the seed does not fall into the ground, but remains on the surface, becoming easy prey for any bird.
Often this category of listeners includes rude people with a cruel character. In psychology, such people are classified as psychopathic and narcissistic. Such people have practically no inclination towards empathy - they are not able to sympathize and empathize with their neighbors, so Christianity does not take root in their souls.
This category also includes people who are superficial and frivolous. Such people live by momentary emotions, quickly flare up and quickly burn out, and do not strive for something deeper, more conscious. Such listeners are not able to adequately perceive the gospel word.
This also includes uncollected people, incapable of systemic thinking. In society, such representatives are called “people without a core.” Such people are absent-minded and easily change their ideals, as their scattered thoughts favor this. It is practically useless to try to convey the Word of God to such people, since all their hobbies are fleeting and impermanent.
Important! The Seed of God does not penetrate the souls of all these types of people, does not delight and does not excite the soul of a person. It remains on the surface and soon dies.
Stones
The type of people whose souls are like rocky soil is quite common and familiar to many. People of this type have a desire for goodness and light - after hearing the Word of God, such people are carried away, but this feeling is not so strong that for the sake of it a person decides to change his life and begin to fight the passions that destroy the soul.
In moments of excitement and passion, such a person is capable of any Christian feat, but this period quickly passes, and later the person may even regret his actions. Such people read with pleasure about the lives of the Saints, imagine themselves in their place, and dream about how they will accomplish such feats. But they themselves are not able to work to achieve the goal.
The willpower required to achieve holiness and ascend to the Kingdom of Heaven frightens them. They have nothing against morality and virtue, but they themselves are not capable of long-term spiritual work.
Important! The rocky layer lying under a thin layer of fertile soil does not allow the seeds to germinate deeply.
In the third case, the seeds fell on soil on which thorns were already growing. This is what they say about people who are too busy with worldly problems. Worldly concerns, hobbies, and passions take up all the space in the souls of such people, and there is simply no time and energy left for spiritual development.
If the seed symbolizes thoughts about the Kingdom of Heaven, weeds speak of the kingdom of earth.
Important! People of this type of character may strive for something more, but these attempts are difficult for them. A person strives for familiar, earthly comfort, trying not to think about his future life.
fertile soil
The fourth category of people includes people with integrity, perceiving the Word of God, trying to live according to the commandments of the Lord. With such natures, words do not diverge from deeds; they adequately assess their capabilities and choose a burden that is within their capabilities.
Such people are not afraid of spiritual work, endure difficulties steadfastly, and strive for a high goal. Their hearts are kind and sincere, full of sympathy and compassion for their neighbors.
Important! There are few such people, but it is in their hearts that the word of Salvation finds good soil and sprouts.
All people receive their share of seeds throughout their lives. Every Christian would undoubtedly like the soil of his soul to be fertile and bring the world a hundredfold harvest of love, goodness and Christian humility.
In fact, even among people who position themselves as believers, the sprouts of faith are sluggish and few in number, mixed with various weeds. A person has to go through a difficult path before the wheat of faith and love for the Lord begins to sprout in his heart.
Source
Third category
Having examined the first two categories of people who hear the Word, let us now move on to the third. Mark 4:7 says:
Mark 4:7 “Some fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew and choked [the seed], and it did not bear fruit.”
The third type of soil into which the seed falls is thorny ground. The grain, falling into such soil, is choked by thorns and, therefore, does not bear fruit. To understand what is meant in this part of the parable, let's move on to Mark 4:18-19, where it is written:
“Those sown among thorns are those who hear the word, but in whom the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and other desires enter into them and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.”
Unfortunately, this third category of people is also not prosperous. The problem with these people is that the Word of God coexists in their hearts with the worries of this age, the deceitfulness of wealth and other desires.” Ultimately, these all become thorns that hinder the growth of the Word of God, choking it and rendering it unfruitful. In contrast to what this category of people do, Jesus said:
Matthew 6:25-34 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will wear. Is not the life more than food, and the body than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap, nor gather into barns; and your Father in heaven feeds them. Aren't you much better than them? And which of you, by caring, can add one cubit to his height? And why do you care about clothes? Look at the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you that Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like any of them; But if God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, then God will clothe it more than you, O you of little faith! So do not worry and say, “What shall we eat?” or what to drink? or what to wear? because the pagans seek all this, and because your Heavenly Father knows that you need all this. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow [itself] will worry about its own things: enough for [every] day is its own worry.”
First of all - the affairs of the Kingdom of God, and then - everything else. If we apply this principle, then everything else will follow. However, if we do not apply it and put concerns and everything else that seems important to us first, this will lead to the fact that the Word will not be able to grow and bear fruit.
The series of worries of this world, the seduction of wealth and other desires are very serious. In the article Parable of the Sower: “What was sown among thorns...” this issue is discussed separately.
Games and activities
Build a scarecrow
You can build a scarecrow and place it at home or outside. Find old clothes in your house. Fill it with old paper or straw. For the face, you can use a paper plate, balloon or stuffed animal. Talk about how the birds pecked at the seeds on the road.
Gardening
One of the best ways to help children understand this parable is by planting seeds in the ground. Gardening with children engages all of their senses and is a great tool for learning and understanding. You are also helping your child develop a love for healthy eating. To explain this lesson, plant seeds, find and pull weeds, and talk about why certain plants grow in certain places.
Plant in good soil
Mark four squares on the ground. Name each square according to the soils indicated in the parable. Give each child a bag of seeds and ask them to sow them in good soil. Evaluate only when the seed lands in good soil.
Source
"Others fell on good ground"
Coming to this point, we have already looked at three types of soil into which the seed of the Word of God fell. Unfortunately, it could not bear fruit in any of the soils. Thus, the first soil, which was “by the road,” was so hard that the seed could not even sprout. The second was also rocky, in which it was impossible for the seed to take deep roots. And finally, the third was thorny, choking the seed so that it could not bear fruit. Now that we have looked at these three categories that do not bear fruit, it is time for us to look at the GOOD soil that bears fruit. Matthew 13:8 says about her:
Matthew 13:8 “Some fell on good ground and brought forth fruit: some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, and some thirtyfold.”
And here, in Matthew 13:23, the interpretation is given: “What is sown on good soil is he who hears the word and understands [Greek: “suniemi” - approx. auth.], which is fruitful, so that some bear fruit a hundred times, some sixty, and others thirty.”
This time the seed fell not along the road, not on rocky ground and not among thorns, but on good soil, in the hearts of people who listen to the Word and understand [Greek: “suniemi”] it. Luke 8:15 explains who “those who understand him” are:
Luke 8:15 “And those that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word, keep it in a good and pure heart and bear fruit with patience...”
As we may remember, people from the first category could not “understand” or accept the Word, since their hearts had become coarse and hard. People belonging to the fourth category, on the contrary, understand the Word, placing it in their good and pure hearts. People in this category have everything that the other three categories that do not bear fruit do not have. If people in the first category had rough and hard hearts, then here the hearts are kind and pure. People from the second category were unable to endure difficulties and immediately fell away at the first tribulations, but people in this category are patient (they “bear fruit in patience,” as this passage says) and do not give up. Finally, if in the third category the Word of God was drowned out by various concerns and wishes that took first place in life, here the Word is KEPT in the hearts of people, continuing to be the main priority. This category bears fruit. As Christ said in John 15:
John 15:1-2, 4-5, 8, 16 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of Me that does not bear fruit He cuts off; and every one that bears fruit he purifies, that she may bear more fruit... Abide in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it is in the vine, so neither can you unless you are in Me. I am the vine, and you are the branches; He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing... By this will My Father be glorified, if you bear much fruit and become My disciples... You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, so that “Whatever you ask from the Father in My name, He has given you.”
God purifies every branch that bears fruit so that it can bear more fruit. The more fruit it bears, the more the Lord is glorified.
