Parable of the sower

[Bugs]

Christ explained that His parable was of four different types of of people. The good soil, the wayside, the rocky soil, and the thorny soil.

Of course we should all strive to be the good soil that produces a crop of 30, 60, and 100 fold, but what happens with the salvation of the others?

Those on stony ground spring up but then wither away just as quickly because they have no root. This seems to imply that these people were never saved to begin with. So even though they may have looked like ones that belonged to God, even if they should die before they inevitably wither away due to their lack of root, do you think they are still lost?

When I think of the stony ground it reminds me of a tragic friend who once even preached God's word for a season but then dropped completely out of the ministry, the last time I saw him he was selling used cars and smoking weed. He just seemed to lose interest and quickly drift away.

Then there are those that are choked out with thorns. Are these people that belong to God but yield no fruit the same as those whos works when tested by fire all burn away but the person themselves escape the fire?

Mark 4
3 “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds [a]of the air came and devoured it. 5 Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. 7 And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no [b]crop. 8 But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

 

[Roughsoul1991]

Christ explained that His parable was of four different types of of people. The good soil, the wayside, the rocky soil, and the thorny soil.

Of course we should all strive to be the good soil that produces a crop of 30, 60, and 100 fold, but what happens with the salvation of the others?

Those on stony ground spring up but then wither away just as quickly because they have no root. This seems to imply that these people were never saved to begin with. So even though they may have looked like ones that belonged to God, even if they should die before they inevitably wither away due to their lack of root, do you think they are still lost?

When I think of the stony ground it reminds me of a tragic friend who once even preached God's word for a season but then dropped completely out of the ministry, the last time I saw him he was selling used cars and smoking weed. He just seemed to lose interest and quickly drift away.

Then there are those that are choked out with thorns. Are these people that belong to God but yield no fruit the same as those whos works when tested by fire all burn away but the person themselves escape the fire?

Mark 4
3 “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds [a]of the air came and devoured it. 5 Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. 7 And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no [b]crop. 8 But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

Are these people that belong to God but yield no fruit the same as those whos works when tested by fire all burn away but the person themselves escape the fire?

They are not the same but both deal with poor fruit. Both saved but either poorly productive or out of ignorance taught Jesus but had poor interpretations of scripture. Not sever enough though to completely destroy the foundation of Christ. So not on the level of blasphemy.


Luke 8:14
New International Version
14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.


1 Corinthians 3:11-13
New International Version
11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.

 

[Corban]

Christ explained that His parable was of four different types of of people. The good soil, the wayside, the rocky soil, and the thorny soil.

Of course we should all strive to be the good soil that produces a crop of 30, 60, and 100 fold, but what happens with the salvation of the others?

Those on stony ground spring up but then wither away just as quickly because they have no root. This seems to imply that these people were never saved to begin with. So even though they may have looked like ones that belonged to God, even if they should die before they inevitably wither away due to their lack of root, do you think they are still lost?

When I think of the stony ground it reminds me of a tragic friend who once even preached God's word for a season but then dropped completely out of the ministry, the last time I saw him he was selling used cars and smoking weed. He just seemed to lose interest and quickly drift away.

Then there are those that are choked out with thorns. Are these people that belong to God but yield no fruit the same as those whos works when tested by fire all burn away but the person themselves escape the fire?

Mark 4
3 “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds [a]of the air came and devoured it. 5 Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. 7 And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no [b]crop. 8 But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

This parable was explained by the Lord Jesus. Let's look at this explanation.

18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower:
19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.
20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;
21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

In verse 19, it concerns the "gospel of the KINGDOM" - not the gospel of grace. That is, this gospel is about Christ setting up a KINGDOM on earth where His rules and His men rule - as Daniel predcited in Daniel Chapter 2. Notice that ALL FOUR people heard this gospel, received it and had it "sown in their hearts". That is, ALL FOUR are the same in what was sown in their hearts. And already the first problem arises. If you have to say, "What is the difference of the gospel of grace to the gospel of the KINGDOM", you already fall into the first catagory. You do not "UNDERSTAND" it.. Verse 20 says that some "heard the word", it was "sown in thier hearts", and they "RECEIVED IT". So, those of verse 19 heard it, had it sown in their hearts, BUT did not "understand" it. I predict that among my readers there are already those who say there is no difference between the gospel of GRACE and the gospel of the KINGDOM. They have heard of it now, but do not UNDERSTAND it.

Verse 20 shows many a zealous Christian. They HEAR that God made man to SUBDUE and RULE (Gen.1:26-28), and recieve it WITH JOY. But suddenly the DIFFERENCE of the two gospels is made apparent. "GRACE" is FREE. The KINGDOM is gained only though PERSECUTION and TRIBULATION. Acts 14:22 b says, "... and saying, 'We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.'" But when these tribulations come, those hearers shake their heads and say; "The price is too high. I have been beaten and threatened by the heathen. My friends have left me. "My fellow Christians do not 'undersand' me. Surely God does not want me to suffer so much?" Notice that the problem is not one of faith. It is a problem of not wanting to suffer for the KINGDOM. (see also 2nd Thess.1:5)

Verse 22 show equally men and woman who "RECEIVED" this gospel - the one that COSTS, the one that must be suffered for. But a new problem arises. The Lord has asked us to give our money away for the gospel's sake. The Lord has said "seek FIRST the Kingdom of God and all these things willbe added to you." But you don't quite trust the Lord. Rather, if you work hard and lie and cheat and do some shady deals, then you will be rich - and rich means SAFE. You can pay your bills and be admired, for you have money. But all is "deceit". Why? People do not admire you. They hate you for your good fortune and wish you evil. They fawn, but all they want is your money. And tomorrow the stock market crashes and your safety is GONE! But you only had so much time in your days, and you neglected the Kingdom. Riches actually robbed you for eternal fame and security. Christ will return, and you will call "Lord! Remember me. I embraced your Kingdom." And he will say; "Actually, I don't remember you. Where were you when my loyal servants were spending their time as missionaries?"

Verse 23 shows those who (i) hear, (ii) receive, (iii) allow it to be sown in their hearts, and (iv) understand it. What do they understand? They understand that in this age God is preparing KINGS to join Christ and SUBDUE and RULE. They need TRAINING. They must deny themselves, take up their crosses (not Christ's), lose thier lives, pay the price for being honest in a world that values cheats, pay the price for being righteous when they fill out their tax form, pay the price when they invested their limited time in mission work and not wealth, pay the price for getting up half an hour earlier everyday to read the Word and talk to the Lord, pay the price to walk the same road of hate and rejection that the Lord walked.

Notice that in every casen every case there is NO MENTION of FAITH. Each case was; "What did they DO!"

• All four HEARD the gospel that God needs men who wlll submit to a rigorous training to be co-kings with Christ
• All four had this message "sown in their hearts"
• All four where faced with a PRICE to pay
• All four were born again, for this is the onlyway to be eligible for the KINGDOM (Jn.3:3-5)
• All four had equal opportunity to produce fruit
• All four were the same soil
• All four were faced with a PRICE to pay

All four are the same EXCEPT in how they perceived the PRICE. GRACE is for FREE, but the Kingdom must be GAINED. GRACE is by FAITH, the KINGDOM is by WORKS (how much fruit they produced). The Parable was explained ONLY to the DISCIPLES for verse 11 says that only disciples have been given to know the mysteries of the KINGDOM.

All four where Christians. Salvation is not the theme. The theme is that Christians will hear of Christ's coming KINGDOM ON EARTH and at least 75% will be rejected when Christ "enters His JOY" (Matthew 25:23).

 

[GraceAndTruth]

Christ explained that His parable was of four different types of of people. The good soil, the wayside, the rocky soil, and the thorny soil.

Of course we should all strive to be the good soil that produces a crop of 30, 60, and 100 fold, but what happens with the salvation of the others?

Those on stony ground spring up but then wither away just as quickly because they have no root. This seems to imply that these people were never saved to begin with. So even though they may have looked like ones that belonged to God, even if they should die before they inevitably wither away due to their lack of root, do you think they are still lost?

When I think of the stony ground it reminds me of a tragic friend who once even preached God's word for a season but then dropped completely out of the ministry, the last time I saw him he was selling used cars and smoking weed. He just seemed to lose interest and quickly drift away.

Then there are those that are choked out with thorns. Are these people that belong to God but yield no fruit the same as those whos works when tested by fire all burn away but the person themselves escape the fire?

Mark 4
3 “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds [a]of the air came and devoured it. 5 Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. 7 And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no [b]crop. 8 But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

The soils are pictures of people who are nominal 'christians'. They walk the walk and talk the talk but their hearts are hard against
God' truth - unless it tickles their ears.

God knows who the good soil are.......He made it.
So if the other soils go astray, we need to remember: 1 JOHN 2:19
They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be evident that they all are not of us.

 

[Bugs]

This parable was explained by the Lord Jesus. Let's look at this explanation.

18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower:
19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.
20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;
21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

In verse 19, it concerns the "gospel of the KINGDOM" - not the gospel of grace. That is, this gospel is about Christ setting up a KINGDOM on earth where His rules and His men rule - as Daniel predcited in Daniel Chapter 2. Notice that ALL FOUR people heard this gospel, received it and had it "sown in their hearts". That is, ALL FOUR are the same in what was sown in their hearts. And already the first problem arises. If you have to say, "What is the difference of the gospel of grace to the gospel of the KINGDOM", you already fall into the first catagory. You do not "UNDERSTAND" it.. Verse 20 says that some "heard the word", it was "sown in thier hearts", and they "RECEIVED IT". So, those of verse 19 heard it, had it sown in their hearts, BUT did not "understand" it. I predict that among my readers there are already those who say there is no difference between the gospel of GRACE and the gospel of the KINGDOM. They have heard of it now, but do not UNDERSTAND it.

Verse 20 shows many a zealous Christian. They HEAR that God made man to SUBDUE and RULE (Gen.1:26-28), and recieve it WITH JOY. But suddenly the DIFFERENCE of the two gospels is made apparent. "GRACE" is FREE. The KINGDOM is gained only though PERSECUTION and TRIBULATION. Acts 14:22 b says, "... and saying, 'We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.'" But when these tribulations come, those hearers shake their heads and say; "The price is too high. I have been beaten and threatened by the heathen. My friends have left me. "My fellow Christians do not 'undersand' me. Surely God does not want me to suffer so much?" Notice that the problem is not one of faith. It is a problem of not wanting to suffer for the KINGDOM. (see also 2nd Thess.1:5)

Verse 22 show equally men and woman who "RECEIVED" this gospel - the one that COSTS, the one that must be suffered for. But a new problem arises. The Lord has asked us to give our money away for the gospel's sake. The Lord has said "seek FIRST the Kingdom of God and all these things willbe added to you." But you don't quite trust the Lord. Rather, if you work hard and lie and cheat and do some shady deals, then you will be rich - and rich means SAFE. You can pay your bills and be admired, for you have money. But all is "deceit". Why? People do not admire you. They hate you for your good fortune and wish you evil. They fawn, but all they want is your money. And tomorrow the stock market crashes and your safety is GONE! But you only had so much time in your days, and you neglected the Kingdom. Riches actually robbed you for eternal fame and security. Christ will return, and you will call "Lord! Remember me. I embraced your Kingdom." And he will say; "Actually, I don't remember you. Where were you when my loyal servants were spending their time as missionaries?"

Verse 23 shows those who (i) hear, (ii) receive, (iii) allow it to be sown in their hearts, and (iv) understand it. What do they understand? They understand that in this age God is preparing KINGS to join Christ and SUBDUE and RULE. They need TRAINING. They must deny themselves, take up their crosses (not Christ's), lose thier lives, pay the price for being honest in a world that values cheats, pay the price for being righteous when they fill out their tax form, pay the price when they invested their limited time in mission work and not wealth, pay the price for getting up half an hour earlier everyday to read the Word and talk to the Lord, pay the price to walk the same road of hate and rejection that the Lord walked.

Notice that in every casen every case there is NO MENTION of FAITH. Each case was; "What did they DO!"

• All four HEARD the gospel that God needs men who wlll submit to a rigorous training to be co-kings with Christ
• All four had this message "sown in their hearts"
• All four where faced with a PRICE to pay
• All four were born again, for this is the onlyway to be eligible for the KINGDOM (Jn.3:3-5)
• All four had equal opportunity to produce fruit
• All four were the same soil
• All four were faced with a PRICE to pay

All four are the same EXCEPT in how they perceived the PRICE. GRACE is for FREE, but the Kingdom must be GAINED. GRACE is by FAITH, the KINGDOM is by WORKS (how much fruit they produced). The Parable was explained ONLY to the DISCIPLES for verse 11 says that only disciples have been given to know the mysteries of the KINGDOM.

All four where Christians. Salvation is not the theme. The theme is that Christians will hear of Christ's coming KINGDOM ON EARTH and at least 75% will be rejected when Christ "enters His JOY" (Matthew 25:23).

I admit this is the first time I have ever heard the parable interpreted this way. I guess this would even put me on the wayside if it is like you say.

How can one have Christ's salvation yet not be part of His kingdom? I do not see how one can one without the other. I must go through the gospels again to rethink this.

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Good ground is the narrow way...the message of the cross....Faith that is placed and maintained exclusively in Christ and Him Crucified.

 

[Scribe]

I think the most natural interpretation is that these are conditions of the heart. The condition of the heart is necessary for the kind of understanding that results in transformation (a life that bears fruit)

The ONLY heart condition that will bring forth fruit is a tilled soil heart which in the OT was well known as a repentant heart "till up the fallow ground of your heart in repentance" was a known concept preached by the prophets which the disciples would have understood.

The repentant heart is the only soil that will have real transformation and understanding and bear fruit. (Bring forth fruit meat for repentance)

The good soil (tilled up, repentant) is the only one who ends up with eternal life in my interpretation.

As to the Bema Seat of Christ and judgement of ministry works whether they be wood, hay or stubble that has to do with teachings and ministry of Paul, Appolos, Peter as examples he gave and all other ministers by extension it is also applied. We all will have our ministry works judged as to motives and whether they were what Christ called us to teach etc. Was it building on the foundation of christ or were we wasting time with topics that have no reward

 

[Corban]

I admit this is the first time I have ever heard the parable interpreted this way. I guess this would even put me on the wayside if it is like you say.

How can one have Christ's salvation yet not be part of His kingdom? I do not see how one can one without the other. I must go through the gospels again to rethink this.

Thank you for your thoughtful response. May I present you with a scenario.

Prince Charles of Great Britain, why is he heir to the throne of England? The answer is "by his BIRTH." His birth makes him in line for the United KINGDOM. Can this birth be undone? No. His birth was an act of his parents and no-one can, or ever has been "UN-birthed".

But his parents, knowing that such a high office awaits Charles, arrange a rigorous training for him. He is schooled in maths, economics, etiquette, politics, military tactics, languages and matters of State. If Charles cooperates with his parents and his tutors, he will be a worthy king one day. But suppose Charles rebels. Suppose he bunks lessons, robs a store, drinks and fights and finally murders somebody. Will he inherit the throne? No - because Great Britain is a Constitutional Monarchy. Charles will not inherit and will go to jail. Most probably his mother - the Queen - will disown him publicly.

So you have two distinct matters, (i) your pedigree by BIRTH and (ii) your state of behavior under training. Your birth and nature and family cannot be undone, but you MIGHT NOT INHERIT. So it is with a Christian. His sins are forgiven. He is born of God. He is Heir to the world by birth, by adoption and by being co-heir with Christ. But what if he spends his days in sin and wantonness? Will Christ, when He comes, appoint him king over a city (Lk.19:17-19)? The answer is NO! The Kingdom of God will be distinct from the Kingdoms of the Gentiles. There will be no corruption, politics, favors, skullduggery and self-aggrandizement. God cannot afford to have a bad testimony. His Name is on this Kingdom. Only the most WORTHY and PROVEN men and women will be co-kings with Jesus.

The Parable of the Sower is about Christians. Salvation is not addressed. The Word of the Kingdom is already on each heart. All have "received it" The fruit is an issue of what each one DOES with this knowledge. And if you feel intimidated and unsure of your future then you belong to a club of men that includes me and Paul. In Philippians 3, Paul, after serving the Lord for years, after losing all things to gain Christ, is just three years from his martyrdom. And he is not sure he has ATTAINED to things (Phil.3:8-14). But there is one big thing in our favor. God is vitally interested in His Kingdom. He made man for it (Gen.1:26-28). His reputation is on it. So, He says in Luke 12:32,

"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom"

But also take note of the context of the Chapter. Is it not a mirror of Matthew 13? "Treasure", "cares of this world" ...

 

[luigi]

Christ explained that His parable was of four different types of of people. The good soil, the wayside, the rocky soil, and the thorny soil.

Of course we should all strive to be the good soil that produces a crop of 30, 60, and 100 fold, but what happens with the salvation of the others?

Those on stony ground spring up but then wither away just as quickly because they have no root. This seems to imply that these people were never saved to begin with. So even though they may have looked like ones that belonged to God, even if they should die before they inevitably wither away due to their lack of root, do you think they are still lost?

When I think of the stony ground it reminds me of a tragic friend who once even preached God's word for a season but then dropped completely out of the ministry, the last time I saw him he was selling used cars and smoking weed. He just seemed to lose interest and quickly drift away.

Then there are those that are choked out with thorns. Are these people that belong to God but yield no fruit the same as those whos works when tested by fire all burn away but the person themselves escape the fire?

Mark 4
3 “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds [a]of the air came and devoured it. 5 Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. 7 And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no [b]crop. 8 But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

There is another post here with the title about John 15. Described are branches that have been broken off and no longer abide in Christ, and are therefore gathered up and burned.
As such, it does appear that those branches that are broken off no longer abiding in Christ would represent those on the wayside, the rocky soil, and the thorny soil, who for a period of time were abiding in Christ, but then no longer are.

 

[Scribe]

There is another post here with the title about John 15. Described are branches that have been broken off and no longer abide in Christ, and are therefore gathered up and burned.
As such, it does appear that those branches that are broken off no longer abiding in Christ would represent those on the wayside, the rocky soil, and the thorny soil, who for a period of time were abiding in Christ, but then no longer are.

I agree. It is absolutely ludicrous to interpret Jesus explanation of this parable as that of all of them being saved. It is an example of not having understanding. Maybe it is the condition of the heart that makes them so blind, or willing to twist Jesus explanation but whatever it is, it is not being intellectually honest. And if they cannot understand this parable they cannot understand any of Jesus parables.

 

[Corban]

I agree. It is absolutely ludicrous to interpret Jesus explanation of this parable as that of all of them being saved. It is an example of not having understanding. Maybe it is the condition of the heart that makes them so blind, or willing to twist Jesus explanation but whatever it is, it is not being intellectually honest. And if they cannot understand this parable they cannot understand any of Jesus parables.

Strong words my friend, but no offense taken. Have you considered that the Parable does not mention "saved". The parables of Matthew 13 concern the "mysteries of the Kingdom". The Parable of the "Sower" does not address salvation. It addresses the fruit that the soil brings forth. The "Sower" is Christ. The "Seed" is the "Word of the Kingdom", NOT the "Word of salvation by faith". In every case they "received it". In every case they were soil. "ALL that have ears to hear" are meant. The failures had the Seed "sown in their hearts". Is one who "receives the word of the kingdom", and one who has it "sown in their hearts" unbelievers? How does an unbeliever "receive" God's Words about the Kingdom when it needs rebirth to SEE the Kingdom (Jn.3:3)?

I think that you should give an exposition of these few verses. Then that which is false, and that which has been added and subtracted, will come to light.

 

[luigi]

I agree. It is absolutely ludicrous to interpret Jesus explanation of this parable as that of all of them being saved. It is an example of not having understanding. Maybe it is the condition of the heart that makes them so blind, or willing to twist Jesus explanation but whatever it is, it is not being intellectually honest. And if they cannot understand this parable they cannot understand any of Jesus parables.

Agreed. Some just twist the Word to fit their perspectives, which overall denies the Word.