THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER
Let's study the Parables of Jesus. I personally love each one of them. Parables are fictional stories that convey a lesson through metaphors and allegories.
Today's parable is perhaps one of the most well-known: the Parable of the Sower.
Jesus told this parable to His disciples and explained that He would use these stories to help people understand His teachings. Jesus is a great teacher.
This is one of the only three parables in which He explains the meaning of each part after telling it. In the others, He encourages us to interpret and learn from them.
So, let’s read it and see what lesson we can learn here.
“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.” Matthew 13:1-9 (NVI)
Without read this passage, can you imagine what Jesus was talking about? Obviously, it wasn’t a farming tip, since it’s a metaphor—using something visual and familiar to illustrate a deeper symbolic meaning.
I don’t know anything about harvesting or planting. I’ve always lived in a big city and never experienced this lifestyle up close. But I was amazed during the summer and fall, seeing gardens and an abundance of produce in so many homes. I received zucchinis, tomatoes, and plenty of vegetables from neighbors and friends who harvested in abundance. I personally visited Mary’s garden and saw the masterpiece that Maliha and Ryiad created in their yard. I didn’t even need to go to the market that week!
So, we know that Jesus was talking about something related to this scene.
What was He really referring to? Let’s look at His explanation.
“Listen then to what the parable of the Sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 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. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 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.” Matthew 13: 18-23 (NVI)
So, we quickly conclude that the soil represents our heart. The seed is the Word of God—the Truth of the Christian Faith. And who is the Sower? The greatest Sower is Jesus, but together with Him it is the one who proclaims, preaches, teaches, and presents the Truth of the Gospel to others. It could be me or you… because it’s not just about doing this at church, on a stage. You can be a Sower in someone’s life through your conversations, by sharing Jesus and His Word.
Now, let’s reflect for a moment: What kind of soil have we been?
Jesus presents us with four types of soil:
1) The seed reaches us, but it never even takes root in our hearts.
When Jesus speaks of "the Evil One," He refers to the source of unbelief that can close our hearts so completely that the seed never even has a chance to enter. Are we this kind of soil? Do we constantly hear the Truth but fail to let it penetrate because we simply cannot believe?
2) The second type of soil is shallow.
Every time we hear about faith in Jesus, we get excited, inspired, and feel renewed. But it only lasts for a short time. Soon, we lose motivation, grow cold, and the seed withers because it never took deep root.
3) The third type allows the seed to sprout but not thrive.
The Word reaches us, grows in our hearts, and fills us with faith and a desire to follow Jesus. We may even live with this seed growing in us for a week, a month, or even years. But life's worries and distractions choke it. We remain just "believers" who go to church out of obligation, without truly bearing fruit. Our attitudes don’t change, and those around us don’t see transformation in us—we are still burdened by resentment, lack of joy, indifference toward others, and a lack of peace.
4) The fourth type is the ideal soil for planting.
What does that look like? A soil that is rich in nutrients, balanced in pH, with good organic matter, proper water retention, and good texture.
What does this mean metaphorically? We become good soil when we find balance—between reason, emotion, and faith. When we trust the process, knowing we are not in control of everything. When we submit to the seed and allow it to grow, both inside us and outwardly, producing the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23a (NVI)
Seeding is just the beginning—the real question is, what kind of fruit are we bearing? Are our lives reflecting the transformation that comes from allowing the Word to take deep root? Are we growing in faith, love, and patience? Are those around us able to see Jesus through our actions?
Of course, this process isn’t easy. We need to seek balance, and I don’t know any other way to do that except through prayer and a relationship with the "Lord of the Harvest."
In the agriculture of that time, a typical harvest would yield about ten times what was sown. So, when Jesus spoke of a return of a hundredfold, He was describing something miraculous demonstrating the power of God’s Word. Even sixty-fold and thirty-fold were well beyond what was normally expected.
If the seed (God’s Word) takes root and bears fruit in our hearts, the harvest will be abundant. It will bless our home, our neighbors, our community, and everyone around us with God’s love flowing through us.
People will look at us and say:
"Look over there, there goes someone who blesses others wherever they go."
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (NVI)
Dani Caldeira