Dr. Tom Hover
August 17, 2025
Matthew 13:1-23 / Matthew 13:10-17
THE POWERFUL PARABLE OF THE SOWER, THE SEED, AND THE SOIL / PUZZLED BY PARABLES?
THE POWERFUL PARABLE OF THE SOWER, THE SEED, AND THE SOIL
Matthew 13:1-23 (Matthew 13:1–9, 18–23)
This chapter begins with the famous parable of the soils. The word “parable” comes from two Greek words (para and ballÅ), which together mean “to throw alongside.” A parable, like an illustration, makes a comparison between a known truth and an unknown truth; it throws them alongside each other. Someone said: “A Parable is an Earthly Story with a Heavenly meaning. This parable is often called the parable of the Sower, but the emphasis is not on the sower but on the soils. So, we call it the parable of the soils. It was spoken to a great multitude from a boat off the shore of the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 13:1, 2). Let’s look into the Parable of the Sower today; as we do, prepare to meet yourself in these words. Let’s hear, heed and honor the message Jesus wants to teach us today.
I. THE SOWER PERFORMS LIFE’S GREATEST TASK.
A. Notice the Identity of The Sower. Mark 4:14; the “sower sows the word” of God. The sower pictured in the parable is a reference to Jesus, and by extension, to all those who preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am sowing at this very moment.
B. Notice the Intentions Of The Sower.
The sower has one goal: to get his seed into the ground so the harvest can come.
C. Notice the Investment Of The Sower.
The farmer must give something away before he can expect to receive anything in return.
II. THE SEED IS LIFE’S GREATEST TREASURE. Luke 8:11
Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. I Peter 1:23,
Isaiah 55:11, Ecclesiastes 11:1
A. Because Of Its Great Power. Before the seed falls on the soil, the soil devoid of life. It lies there barren and empty. But, when the seed falls onto good soil and germinates, it always brings life to something that before was dead. So, it is with the Gospel of grace! It brings life to the dead hearts of those lost in their sins: Ephesians 2:1-5
B. Because Of Its Great Promise. God has a Great Promise in the seed. Every seed that was sown by the sower had the potential to produce much more seed. Verse 8 and 23 bear this out. One little seed had the potential to multiply itself 3000%, 6000% and even 10000%. Those of you who farm have seen this principle in action.
III. THE SOILS ARE LIFE’S GREATEST TESTIMONIALS.
Now it is apparent that this sower lost some of his seed. Some of it fell on soil that had been unprepared and that seed produced no fruit. Since that is true, was the sower a failure? No, he was successful in his work, because he fulfilled his mandate. His mission was to sow the seed, and that is what he did! He had no control over the soil, and he had no control over the amount of fruit each plant produced. He was successful because of two truths:
1. He sowed all his seed.
2. He sowed all his field. I Samuel 16 Three of the four soils in this parable did look good on the surface but only one of the four soils was good soil ready for the seed.
Notice: 1. The Hard Soil NO RECEPTION
The Hard (Compacted) Soil Exposed: Matthew 13:4
The Hard (Compacted) Soil Explained: Matthew 13:19
2. The Stony Soil NO ROOT
The Stony (Crippled) Soil Exposed: Matthew 13:5-6
The Stony (Crippled) Soil Explained: Matthew 13:20-21
3. The Thorny Soil NO ROOM
The Thorny (Choked/Crowded) Soil Exposed: Matthew 13:7
The Thorny (Choked/Crowded) Soil Explained: Matthew 13:22
4. The Good Soil NO REFUSAL
The Good (Choice) Soil Exposed: Matthew 13:8
The Good (Choice) Soil Explained: Matthew 13:23
Two laws Of the Harvest: You Get What You Plant and You Get More Than You Plant! Galatians 6:7-9, John 15:1-8, Matthew 9:38
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PUZZLED BY PARABLES? Matthew 13:10-17,
Matthew 13:34-35
I. THAT PUNISHMENT MIGHT BE CARRIED OUT Matthew 13:11-15, Matthew 13:35
II. THAT PROPHECY MIGHT BE FULFILLED Matthew 13:14 Matthew 13:35
III. THAT THE PRIVILEGED MIGHT BE ENLIGHTENED
Note: The Privilege for the Disciples Matthew 13:16-17
