The Parable of the Sower: LTLFM

Parable of the sower: Parables Jesus told

Jesus taught The Parable of the Sower to demonstrate how people receive the word of God. He spoke in parables because He did not want everyone to understand the true meaning. The following bible study explains the true meaning of The parable of the sower.

Jesus was teaching by the seaside to a great many people, so many people that he sat in the sea to teach them and they stayed on land.

And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. Mark 4:1

Jesus taught them many different things but he only spoke in parables.

And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, Mark 4:2

Jesus told the story of the parable of the sower

Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: Mark 4:3

One man was sowing seeds and some of the seeds fell outside the rows and the birds came and ate the seeds up.

And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. Mark 4:4

Some of the seeds he sowed fell on stony ground and did not take a firm root so the plants sprung up right away but did not survive because the sun scorched them and they withered away.

And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: Mark 4:5
But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. Mark 4:6

Some of the seeds he sowed fell among thorns and the thorns grew up and overtook the young plants-choking them so they did not produce.

And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. Mark 4:7

Some of the seeds he sowed fell on good ground, their roots were established and they produced a lot of good fruit.

And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. Mark 4:8

Jesus spoke in parables-telling a story that has a hidden meaning. He gave hints to the people that there was another meaning to the parable by telling them to listen closely, saying "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear" which indicates that not everyone who heard the parables could understand the true meaning.

And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Mark 4:9

Afterwards Jesus was alone with the twelve apostles (disciples)they asked him why he spoke in parables.

And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. Mark 4:10

Jesus told the twelve apostles that he spoke in parables because it was not meant for everyone to know the true meaning of his teachings. Indicating that there were some people who cannot understand because then they would know the truth, and by knowing the truth they could be forgiven of their sins.

And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: Mark 4:11
That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. Mark 4:12
And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? Mark 4:13

The sower Jesus spoke of was not actually someone sowing seeds in the ground but rather sowing the word of God in peoples minds and hearts.

The sower soweth the word. Mark 4:14

The seeds (the word of God) that was sown by the wayside was actually when you hear the word of God but Satan steals the word of God from you so that you will not hear or understand it.

And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. Mark 4:15

The seeds (the word of God) that was sown on stony ground means that when you hear the word of God you listen and feel happy but after you leave and go about your daily lives you forget about what you learned. Then when something goes wrong, you want to blame God.

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; Mark 4:16

And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. Mark 4:17

The seeds (the word of God) that was sown among the thorns are when you hear the word but other things in this world are more important to you like money, lust, and material things, so you forget about the word of God and pay attention only to getting the things that you want.

And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, Mark 4:18
And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. Mark 4:19

The seeds (the word of God) which are sown on good ground is when you hear and receive the word of God, then put it to use in your life by sharing it with others, helping others, and showing them the way to get saved, and to do God's will.

And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred. Mark 4:20

The Word of God is like a candle under a bushel

And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? Mark 4:21
For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. Mark 4:22
If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. Mark 4:23

Jesus warns us to be careful of what we say and do
Be careful what you choose to listen to, be careful how you measure or judge others because that is how you will be measured. For those of you who hear and understand the word of God-more of God's word will be given to you than others. When you hear God's word make sure it is falling on good ground so that you do not lose or have stolen from you the precious words of God.

And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. Mark 4:24
For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath. Mark 4:25

Make sure that you use the word of God to produce good fruit by sharing it with others and using what you learn in your daily lives so that you may reap the harvest

And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; Mark 4:26
And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. Mark 4:27
For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. Mark 4:28
But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. Mark 4:29

The word of God is like a mustard seed, it will grow inside of you and overflow into every part of your life

And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? Mark 4:30
It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: Mark 4:31
But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it. Mark 4:32
And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. Mark 4:33
But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples. Mark 4:34
And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. Mark 4:35

Many of us are make garden plans and decide what seeds we want to plant. Jesus spoke about sowing seeds telling parables describing what happens when seeds are planted in different types of soil. He spoke of the Word of God as if it were a seed that could be planted in our hearts.
What does the bible say about "sowing seeds"?
People who "sow" bad things will "reap" bad things.Job 4:8
If you "sow" in tears you will "reap" joy.Psalms 126:5
People who sow the wind will reap the wind. It has no stalk and will yield no meal. Strangers will swallow it up.Hosea 8:7
What did Jesus say about "sowing" seeds?
Many times Jesus spoke in parables. One of these parables was the about sowing seeds.He told of a sower that went out to plant some seeds and the seeds fell by the wayside and birds came and ate them up.Matthew 13:3-4
Some seeds fell on stony ground that did not have much dirt and they sprung up but had no strong roots because of the stones and when the sun shined on them they withered away.Matthew 13:5-6
Some seeds fell in the thorns and when they sprung up the thorns choked them and the seedlings died.Matthew 13:7
However, other seeds fell on good ground and grew in abundance.Then Jesus said Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. Indicating that there was another meaning to the words that He was speaking. Matthew 13:8-9
.The disciples that were with Him, heard the parable asked Jesus why he spoke in parables when He spoke to the people. Matthew 13:10
Jesus told them that the meaning of His words was for the disciples to "know the kingdom of heaven" but it was not meant for those who did not believe in Him to understand the meaning of His words. Many people (non-believers) seen the miracles Christ performed and still did not believe;they heard his words but did not understand them.
Jesus answered them saying, "Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.Therefore speak I to them in parables: because the seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand." Matthew 13:11-13
Jesus pointed out that the people's hearts were "waxed gross" or hardened and their eyes and ears were closed. If they opened them they would understand with their heart and would be converted and He would heal them. Matthew 13:15
Then Jesus told the disciples the meaning of the parables, Seeds that fell by the wayside are people who hear the word of the kingdom and do nothing with it because the wicked one comes and steals the seed that was sown in their heart.Matthew 13:19
Seeds that fell on stony ground are people that heard the word with joy and received it but were not rooted in the word of God. The first time something went wrong (during the period of trials and tribulations)they became "offended" and fell away (stopped believing).
Seeds that fell among the thorns are people that hear the word but get distracted by the cares and things of this world (like material things and money) become more important than the word of God. These people do not do not do anything with what they have learned. Matthew 13:22
Seeds that fell on good soil are people that hear the word, understand it, tell others, do the Lord's work and become productive.(bring forth fruit!) Matthew 13:23
Where do your seeds fall? Think about it.

Related Bible Verses:
Sower and four types of soil-Matthew 13:3-8, Matthew 18-23/Mark 4:3-8, Mark 14-20/Luke 8:5-8, Luke 11-15

Memory Verse

And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred. Mark 4:20

Christ stills the tempest

After Jesus and the apostles returned to the ship (there were other smaller ships with them) a great storm rose and started tossing the ship around so much it was filling with water. Jesus was asleep and the apostles came to him, they were afraid and asked Jesus if he cared if they were to die in the storm. Jesus woke up and told the wind "Peace, be still" and the storm stopped, all was calm again. The twelve apostles were scared of Jesus when they seen this because they realized how much power He really had.

And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. Mark 4:36
And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. Mark 4:37
And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? Mark 4:38
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39
And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? Mark 4:40
And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? Mark 4:41

How you can make sure God's Word (Seed) falls on Good Ground

In order to make sure that God's word falls on good ground you must prepare yourself to accept His word.

Put on the full armor of God.

Before you study, pray for His guidance, understanding, and knowledge. Ask God to show you clearly the meaning of His word and to give you a spirit of discernment when you are listening to others. Be careful what you put in your mind. You are accountable for your thoughts as well as deeds so it is very important to make sure your thoughts are in line with the will of God. Pray and study your bible every day to make sure you are not deceived by anyone or anything. Stop watching and doing things that you know are not what God wants. Try to learn something in the Bible every day that you can share with someone else. Be fruitful. Let the seed grow and blossom and you will be rewarded by your Father who is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Parables Jesus Told