Matthew 13:1-9, The Parable of the Sower

1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear.”

Comments

Jesus has moved from a private to a public space to teach the crowds, instead of just his disciples, for the first time using a parable. Designed to teach a specific lesson, this parable is not about Palestinian agriculture. No farmer would plant the way this one does! Jesus later explicitly explains the parable’s meaning to his disciples. Now, he invites people to explore and ponder what he said.

Prayer

A seed planted in my heart, Lord, from your word, grows into a fruitful life, nourished by the good soil of your Spirit, and produced to bring you honor, glory, and praise.