Matthew 13:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: “Hear then the parable of the sower:

NIV: Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:

NASB: Listen then to the parable of the sower.

CSB: "So listen to the parable of the sower:

NLT: Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds:

KJV: Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

NKJV: “Therefore hear the parable of the sower:

Speaking to a large crowded gathered on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus presented the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3–9). The disciples had asked why Jesus spoke to the crowd in parables (Matthew 13:10). After thoroughly answering that question (Matthew 13:11–17), Jesus now returns to the parable of the sower to explain its meaning to the disciples.

Jesus is willing to explain the parable to His disciples because they are willing to receive His teaching and act on it. This is different from the crowds that followed Him or the Jewish religious leaders. The disciples were uniquely blessed with eyes that could see and ears that could hear the truth Jesus taught them (Matthew 13:16). Jesus has declared their great privilege to know and understand the mysteries many righteous people and prophets in Israel's history longed to know and understand (Hebrews 11:39–40).

Matthew 13:18–23 explains the lesson behind the parable of the seed-thrower who dropped seeds on four different types of soil (Matthew 13:1–9). The hardpacked soil of the path represents those who don't understand teaching about the kingdom of heaven, so the evil one steals it away. The rocky soil is those who receive the Word gladly but fall away under pressure. The thorny soil is those who are unproductive because of the cares of life and lies about money. Only those who receive the Word and reproduce it represent the good soil. While this is an important explanation, Christians often differ about how those categories relate to specific issues such as salvation. The four groups represented are not necessarily meant to form a spectrum; each has its own lessons to teach.

Matthew 13 focuses mainly on a series of parables. Jesus first describes these to a large crowd along the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Later, in a house, He explains to the disciples the meanings of the parables of the sower, the weeds, and the fish caught in the net. Jesus then travels to Nazareth, teaches in the synagogue, and is rejected by the people of His original hometown.

Matthew 13 follows Jesus from the overcrowded house at the end of the previous chapter to a crowded beach on the Sea of Galilee. He teaches a large crowd in a series of parables, which He doesn't fully explain. However, He reveals their meaning to His disciples inside a nearby house. Jesus pictures the kingdom of heaven as a sower, a sabotaged field of wheat, a mustard seed, and a pearl dealer, among other things. He then travels to His original hometown of Nazareth where He is rejected by the people He grew up with. This leads Matthew back to depictions of Jesus' miracles, after sadly recording John the Baptist's death.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.

Accessed 5/5/2024 2:02:03 AM