THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER EXPLAINED

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

When a person hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand, the evil one comes and snatches it away. This is the path-like heart. Rocky ground is a person who hears the words and receives it with joy. But he has no roots, so he falls away when there is hardship because of the words of God. For the thorns, it is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word. For the good soil, it is the one who hears the word and understands it. He bears fruit a hundred, sixty and thirty times what was sown.

What does it mean to hear the word and understand it? It is Jesus who gives us understanding of his words. Jesus opens our eyes and ears and enables us to receive his word. When his word is planted in the good soil of our hearts, he also makes the word grow (1 Cor 3:6-7) so that we are fruitful (Jn 15:5).

Prayer: Lord Jesus, please help us so that we may hear your word and understand it.

One Word: Hear the word and understand it