The Parable of the Sower

“In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.” —Ecclesiastes 11:6

JESUS presented many of his teachings by means of parables. As a rule he introduced his parables with the statement, “The kingdom of heaven is likened unto.” Jesus explained some of his parables, but others he did not. Some of the parables relate to the preparatory work of the kingdom, and others to the actual functioning of the kingdom during the thousand years of its rulership over the earth. Others pertain to efforts that would be made by Satan to disrupt the preparatory work of the kingdom.

After relating The Parable of the Sower, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Why speakest unto them [the multitude] in parables?” To this Jesus replied, “Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.” (Matt. 13:10,11) Jesus then quoted an Old Testament prophecy which foretold that he would use this method of teaching so that the people generally might not be able to comprehend the real significance of his kingdom message.—vss. 14,15

It might seem strange to some that the Lord would not want all the people of Jesus’ day, and since, to understand his plans and purposes. But actually it is not strange at all, for the Scriptures reveal that this is not the age for the general enlightenment of the people. However, the Bible assures us that the time will come when the knowledge of the Lord will fill the earth as the waters cover the sea. (Isa. 11:9) Meanwhile, the deep truths of God pertaining to his plan for the redemption and recovery of mankind from sin and death are reserved for those to whom he elects to reveal them.

Jesus said to his disciples, “Blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.” Then he explained “that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see these things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.” (vss. 16,17) There is a “due time” for every detail of the divine plan to be accomplished, and it was not then the due time for the “many prophets and righteous men” mentioned by Jesus to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.

Besides, our Heavenly rather is selective in the matter of those to whom he gives the ability to understand the vital truths of his Word. Jesus said, “No man can come to me except the rather which hath sent me draw him.” (Matt. 16:44) God prepares the hearts of those whom he draws to himself in order that they might receive the “seed” of truth. Just how his Spirit operates to accomplish this is beyond our comprehension. Solomon wrote, “As thou knowest not what is the way of the Spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.”—Eccles. 11:5

The Parable

“BEHOLD, a sower went forth to sow,” Jesus said. Some of the seed fell by the wayside; “and the fowls came and devoured them up.” “Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: and when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them. But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.”

“The seed is the Word of God,” Jesus explained. (Luke 8:11) “When anyone heareth the word of the kingdom,” Jesus explained, “and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the wayside.” Here we have a prophecy as well as a parable. The truth of the kingdom has been presented to millions throughout the age who have not understood it, and as Jesus foretold, “the wicked one” has quickly removed it from their hearts.

This would be a discouraging experience for the sowers had they not been forewarned what to expect. Even so, it is a difficult fact to accept. Those who proclaim the truth often wonder if their failure to “get over” the message is not due to their own inability to present it plainly. It is proper that we present the truth with as great clarity, and as much force, as possible; but, lest we be discouraged, let us remember that nearly two thousand years ago Jesus foretold that much of the seed that would be sown would fall by the wayside and be snatched away by the “fowls of the heaven.”—Ps. 104:12

This has been true, regardless of the methods used. It was true in Jesus’ day. Compare the multitudes to whom he ministered from time to time with the few who actually became his devoted followers. It was true throughout the period of the Early Church. Paul stood on Mars’ Hill and witnessed to a sizeable audience; but when he had finished, what was the result? The record is, “Some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.”—Acts 17:32

In our own day, how the brethren have rejoiced to see a goodly number attend a public meeting and apparently enjoy the message, only to discover that a week later very few, if any, had sufficient interest to return to a second meeting. This was not because the speaker had failed to present the message properly. It was simply that the Lord did not put it in the hearts of these people to really understand in the appreciative sense what they heard. The message sounded good to them, but it was quickly forgotten, at least to the degree that they had no desire to hear more.

This does not mean that we are to cease holding public meetings. Nor does it imply that we should cease to make every effort we can along all lines to disseminate the truth—whether by radio, by television, by magazine advertising, or by booths at county and state fairs.

What it means is that in laying down our lives as witnesses of Jesus we are to remember that this is not the age for the conversion of the world, and therefore, that the Lord is directing the message to those whom he is calling to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, and that these will be the only ones who will respond with true heart appreciation. As our text admonishes, we are to sow the seed in recognition of the fact that we “know not whether shall prosper.”

Stony Ground Hearers

IN THE Parable of the Sower some of the seed fell on stony ground. Jesus explained this, saying, “The same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.” Here, again, is a true picture of what has been observed throughout the age by the Lord’s people.

A good example of this is what takes place at times in connection with a well-advertised public meeting. There are usually some in attendance who, at the close of the meeting, manifest genuine interest in what they have heard. They linger behind to fellowship with the brethren. They ask questions, and show evidence of having grasped a considerable measure of the truth. They inquire particularly as to when and where the next meeting will be held; but when the time comes for that meeting, they are not there.

What has happened? Jesus foretold it. The “sun” of persecution rose upon them and they were “scorched.” Good people such as these really do enjoy the truth when they hear it, but when they find that it is not popular with their friends, their relatives, and particularly with their church associates, they decide that it is not for them. If they could enjoy the truth and continue to be popular in their community, and in their church, they would like it very much. But as we know, it doesn’t work out this way. The truth of the kingdom is not popular, and will not be until, in the kingdom, the Lord will take away the rebuke of his people.—Isa. 25:8

Among Thorns

IN THE parable some of the seed fell among thorns. Here was a more enduring response. But Jesus described these hearers as those who permit “the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches” to choke the word and thus they become “unfruitful” in the knowledge which they have received. These have a genuine interest in the truth, but they love other things also. They permit the cares of this life to engross them too deeply, and they have very little or no time for the Lord and his service.

These also, as Jesus explains, permit “the deceitfulness of riches” to consume their time and attention. There have been many throughout the age who have resolved that they would serve the Lord eventually, but that first they would accumulate a reasonable amount of riches. Many have had this viewpoint with the sincere thought that they would use their hoped-for riches in the service of the Lord. They ignore Jesus’ warning that treasures laid up on earth are exposed to “moth and rust,” which lead to their deterioration and loss of value.

Those whose ambition in life is to lay up treasures on earth fail to realize that while they are spending time and energy to do this their heavenly bank account is being neglected. Or, as the parable states it, they are not bringing forth the “fruit” for which the Lord is looking, and therefore will fail to qualify for an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (II Pet. 1:4-11) How unfortunate that anyone who hears and responds to the kingdom message should permit the trifling things of this world to turn him aside from running for “the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”—Phil. 3:14

Good Ground

SOME of the seed of the parable fell on “good ground”—how much of it is not stated, and this is not important. Jesus explained the meaning of this, saying, “He that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.” We doubt if the percentages here mentioned are of any particular significance, except to remind us that even among faithful, fruitbearing Christians, some may be more energetic and fruitful than others.

Luke’s account of the parable omits reference to the percentage of fruit that is borne by the “good ground” believers. He describes them as “they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”—Luke 8:15

Much patient endurance is required in order to bring forth the fruit of the Holy Spirit. The “good ground” Christians are subjected to the heat of persecution, and would be “scorched” even as the “stony ground” believers, except that their roots of faith lay hold more firmly upon the promises of God and thus they receive strength to endure.

The “sower” in this parable represents all the Lord’s faithful people, who, having themselves been blessed by the truth, desire at the cost of self-sacrifice to pass it on to others. Jesus commissioned his followers to go into all the world to preach the Gospel, and this commission has never been withdrawn. What the Lord accomplishes by the spread of the truth at the hands of his faithful people may vary. By his direction it is now accomplishing a harvest work.—Matt. 13:39; 28:19,20; Acts 1:8

Basically, the message does not change, but there is “present truth” which is included in it at this end of the age. (II Pet. 1:12) By “present truth” we mean those truths which pertain exclusively to this end of the age, such as the fact of our Lord’s presence and related doctrines. It is now the time also to proclaim “the day of vengeance of our God,” because the day of his wrath is upon the nations. And how wonderful it is to have the privilege of proclaiming the “times of restitution” now so near.—Isa. 61:1-3; Acts 3:21

But, in all our efforts to bear witness to the truth, let us remember Jesus’ introduction to this parable, in which he emphasizes that it is only those who have eyes and ears to hear that will respond to the Gospel of the kingdom. And the only ones in this category are those whom the Lord is drawing.

Remembering this, we will not be discouraged when the wayside hearers turn away, as they did with Paul, saying, “We will hear thee again” at another time. Nor will we be surprised when some who at first show appreciation do not continue in the way of truth. We will regret that some allow the cares of this life to hold them back, but we will rejoice that one here and there responds, and with a good and honest heart brings forth fruit with patience.

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