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🌾 The Parable of the Sower Explained — Matthew 13:18–23
By Pastor Joel – Open Heaven Christian Church
Matthew 13:18–23 – “Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, 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 way side.
But he that received the seed into stony places, 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.
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
But 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, some thirty.”
🌱 Overview — Seed and Soil
In this bible study blog we will cover all four seeds that Jesus mentions in the parable of the sower.
1). Seed by the way side, 2). Seed into stony places, 3). Seed among the thorns, and 4). Seed into the good ground.
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Seed = God’s Word (the message and teachings of Jesus about the kingdom of God).
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Soil = the human heart (its condition and openness about the teachings of Jesus in any person’s life).
Jesus uses four types of soils to show how different hearts respond to the SAME Word. The difference isn’t the seed meanin the (Word of God) — it’s the soil meaning the heart of the person who hears the word of God and how they respond to God and teachings of Jesus found in all of scripture.
Let’s begin by looking at all four one-by-one…
1) 🚶♂️ The Way Side — The Hardened Heart (Matthew 13:19)
“When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart.”
Meaning: The seed never penetrates. The heart is hard, distracted, or unrepentant, so Satan quickly snatches away the message and the word of God never takes root in them so no fruit of the Holy Spirit can be produced in them.
Modern examples:
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People who hear sermons, nod, and forget by the end of the day.
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Christians who intellectually know Scripture but refuse conviction or repentance.
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Those whose pride or persistent sin keeps them closed to God’s correction.
Application: Pray for a soft, teachable heart. Ask God to remove hardness and to make His Word living and active in you.
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews. 4:12).
2) 🪨 The Stony Ground — The Shallow Heart (Matthew 13:20–21)
“He that received the seed into stony places… 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.”
Core idea (including the tribulation/persecution line):
This soil represents those who initially receive the Word with enthusiasm — they rejoice at first — but their faith lacks depth (no root). When tribulation or persecution arises because of the Word, their shallow faith is exposed: they fall away “by and by” (immediately), offended or discouraged.
Many Christians fall into this category, they will say I love the Lord and His Word, even commit to doing religious things like joining church community outreach, giving of offerings to support the church and it’s growth, they express a desire to lead a bible study group, or home fellowship group, but when the “rubber meets the road”, they fall away from the Lord and His Word because the fires of persecution begin to arises and Satan begins to test their faith, then Satan will make them look at what they have committed to and soon they become offended so they back-off from everything they committed to do or say.
This type of person has only a head knowledge of the Lord and not a personal relationship with the Lord that trust God in all things including when persecution arises or when someone inspired by Satan says something to offend them happens they quit reading the word of God, and they quit serving the Lord.
Key points about “tribulation or persecution”:
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Jesus explicitly says the crisis comes because of the Word. That means pressure or suffering tied to one’s stand for Christ — mockery, loss of friends, job trouble, family opposition, or outright persecution for your Christian beliefs.
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The stony-ground person reacts to external pressure (tribulation) or hostile opposition (persecution) and abandons faith because it wasn’t deeply rooted internally.
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Satan causes “Offenses” to arise and they disappear from the church, and fellowship of believers very easily instead of standing their ground and trusting the Lord is all of what is happening in their lives.
Modern examples:
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A new believer who publicly confesses Christ but quickly backtracks when mocked at work, shunned by family, or when a person speaks a truth taught in the word of God to them they become offended because of the word and turn back.
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Christians who are faithful in good times but deny Christ or stop practicing their faith in God when suffering or spiritual cost appears (fear of loss, fear of rejection).
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People who embrace Christ for emotional highs (revival, excitement) but haven’t built habits of Bible study, prayer, or obedience — so when trouble comes they’re not sustained.
How to move from shallow to rooted:
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Build spiritual roots through daily Bible intake, consistent prayer, and obedience to small commands of Christ Jesus.
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Practice counting the cost (Luke 14:28–33): anticipate opposition and rehearse faithfulness.
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Remember persecution often refines faith; ask God for steadfastness (1 Peter 1:6–7; James 1:2–4).
3) 🌾 Among the Thorns — The Crowded/Divided Heart (Matthew 13:22)
“He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.”
Meaning: The Word begins to grow, but worldly worries, anxieties, love of money, ambition, and pleasures strangle spiritual growth so no lasting spiritual fruit is produced in them.
Modern examples:
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Christians whose schedules are so packed (work, social climbing, hobbies) that the Word becomes secondary.
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Those who put financial security, comfort, or reputation before obedience to Christ.
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People distracted by constant worry about making a lot of money, their status in society, or entertainment who gradually drift away spiritually until the word of God is “choked” out of them spiritually speaking.
Application:
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Weed out distractions by re-prioritizing (seek first the kingdom, Matt. 6:33).
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Regularly inventory your heart: what competes with God for your attention?
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Practice simplicity, sacrificial giving, and spiritual disciplines to keep thorns from taking root.
4) 🌿 The Good Ground — The Fruitful Heart (Matthew 13:23)
“But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit…”
Meaning: This heart hears, understands, receives, and obeys. It permits the Word to take root, grow, and produce spiritual fruit in them — some 30x, 60x, 100x.
Characteristics of good ground:
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Softness to God’s conviction (repentant).
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Deep roots through disciplines (Bible, prayer, fellowship).
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Freedom from worldly thorns (priorities ordered).
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Endurance through trials (faith that matures in suffering).
Modern examples:
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Believers who persevere under pressure, serve others sacrificially give of their substance to the work of the Lord, and show Christ-like character in daily life.
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People whose lives multiply faith in others — evangelism, discipleship, and good works.
Application: Keep cultivating: daily Word, prayer, obedience, fellowship, giving, and service to the Kingdom of God. Trust God to multiply the small seed into abundant fruit.
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Luke 12:34
🔁 How Christians Fall into Each Part — A Quick Diagnostic
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Way side (hardened heart): Avoids conviction, excuses God’s Word, gives reasons for disobedience. Remedy: repentance and humility.
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Stony ground (shallow heart): Loves the high of religion but lacks roots; falls away under persecution or trials. Remedy: build depth through consistent spiritual practices and prepare your heart for persecution and trials.
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Among thorns (crowded heart): Heart divided by cares, riches, and anxieties. Remedy: reorder priorities, simplify life, and guard your affections.
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Good ground (fruitful heart): Receives, understands, and obeys; bears consistent fruit. Continue cultivating and disciplining others.
✝️ Practical Steps to Become Good Ground
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Daily Scripture intake. Let the Word soak into your heart, not just skim over your life.
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Persistent prayer. Ask for root, endurance, and freedom from worldly distractions.
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Community. Join accountable fellowship that encourages depth under pressure.
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Suffer with purpose. Expect trials for the faith, and let them refine — don’t run, but stand.
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Remove thorns. Identify and cut out worldly cares that choke your daily walk with the Lord.
- Every follower of Jesus must understand this parable of the sower or they will never be able to understand any other parables taught by the Lord in scripture. In the gospel of Mark we are told by Jesus himself that if we do not understand the parable of the sower, we will not understand any of his parables no matter how much one may read and try to understand. Jesus sets high-priority on the parable of the sower, and so should we as Christians.
“And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?” Mark 4:13
❤️ Final Encouragement
Jesus didn’t condemn any heart. The same seed that fell on the way, the stone, and the thorns is also sown on good ground — God’s Word is patient and persistent. If you recognize yourself in a soil that is not producing 30x, 60x, or 100x fruit today, there’s hope: repent, root down, untangle your heart from the world and all of it;s deceptions, and allow God to cultivate you into good ground.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” — Psalm 51:10 (KJV)
#Seed-by-the-way #side-Seed-into-stony-places #Seed-among-the-thorns #Seed-into-the-good-ground
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