THE PARABLE OF THE SOILS

Passage: Matthew 13:18-23

Key verse: 23

NIV

18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom(A) and does not understand it, the evil one(B) comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.(C) 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth(D) choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”(E)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Parable of the Sower Explained

18 (A)“Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of (B)the kingdom and (C)does not understand it, (D)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 (E)receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but (F)endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately (G)he falls away.[a] 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but (H)the cares of (I)the world and (J)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 (K)understands it. He indeed (L)bears fruit and yields, in one case (M)a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 13:21 Or stumbles
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Three unproductive soils (18-22)

The path represents the heart-soil of one who re- jects God's word because he does not understand it. His problem is not ignorance; it is pride. One with a humble heart receives God's word because it is God's word. He holds on to it until God works. Then he understands. The rocky soil represents one who receives the word joyfully--but only in his head. He doesn't let the roots go down into his heart--so he never repents. So, when people criticize him, or his family or friend oppose his Bible study, he quits Bible study. The thorns represent the person who is busy- minded. Perhaps he is worried about his future; or perhaps he is a pleasure-seeker. So the seed of the word in his heart can't grow.

2. Good heart-soil (23)

One who receives the word in his heart and obeys it is good soil. His life bears good fruit--3

, 6

, 1

times what was sown. His life makes up for the three unfruitful heart-soils.

Prayer: Lord, let my heart and life be good soil each time I study your word or listen to a message.

One Word: Be fruitful soil