The Parable of the Sower Explained

¹⁸ “So listen to the parable of the sower: ^{(A) 19} When anyone hears the word about the kingdom and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the one sown along the path.^{(B) 20} And the one sown on rocky ground—this is one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy.^{(C) 21} But he has no root and is short-lived. When distress or persecution^(D) comes because of the word, immediately he falls away. ²² Now the one sown among the thorns—this is one who hears the word, but the worries of this age^(E) and the deceitfulness^[a] of wealth^(F) choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. ²³ But the one sown on the good ground—this is one who hears and understands the word, who does produce fruit and yields: some a hundred, some sixty, some thirty times what was sown.”

Why Jesus Used Parables

⁹ Then his disciples asked him, “What does this parable mean?” ^{(A) 10} So he said, “The secrets of the kingdom of God have been given for you^(B) to know, but to the rest it is in parables, so that

The Parable of the Sower Explained

¹¹ “This is the meaning of the parable:^(D) The seed is the word of God.^{(E) 12} The seed along the path are those who have heard and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. ¹³ And the seed on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy. Having no root, these believe for a while and fall away in a time of testing.^{(F) 14} As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who, when they have heard, go on their way and are choked with worries, riches, and pleasures of life,^(G) and produce no mature fruit. ¹⁵ But the seed in the good ground—these are the ones who, having heard the word with an honest and good heart, hold on to it and by enduring,^(H) produce fruit.