The Parable of the Sower

The Parable of the Sower is one of the most meaningful teachings of Jesus. It is found in Gospel of Matthew 13:1–23, Gospel of Mark 4:1–20, and Gospel of Luke 8:4–15. In this story, Jesus talks about a farmer who went out to sow seeds. As he scattered the seeds, they fell on four different types of ground.

Some seeds fell on the path, and birds came and ate them. This represents people who hear God’s Word but do not understand it, and the message is quickly taken away. Some seeds fell on rocky ground. They grew quickly but dried up because they had no deep roots. This shows people who receive God’s Word with joy but give up when problems come. Other seeds fell among thorns. The thorns grew and choked the plants. This represents people who let worries, riches, and desires take over their hearts. Finally, some seeds fell on good soil and produced a rich harvest. These are people who hear, understand, and obey God’s Word.

The seed represents the Word of God, and the soil represents our hearts. We must ask ourselves: What kind of soil am I? When we read the Bible, pray, and trust God even in difficult times, our hearts become good soil. Just like a plant needs water and sunlight, our faith needs care and attention. If we stay faithful, God will help us grow and bear good fruit in our lives.