Parable of the Sower

Verses 1-23

In the opening verses of Matthew 13, we read about the parable of the sower. Jesus goes out on a boat. He may have travelled a short distance across the water as sound travels better over water. If he stayed on dry land surrounded by the crowd he may not have been heard. In this parable, Jesus describes what goes on in all congregations. He describes the work of a preacher and in general the work of all true believers. Our role on earth is like a sower.

If you want to see the fruit you must sow good seeds. The preacher must sow the pure Word of God in the hearts and minds of his congregation. The disciple must sow the pure Word of God also. Good fruit will only come if we sow prayer, reading of Scripture, repentance, and obedience to God, without this our labour is in vain. The harvest will not come if the work and care is not put in. It is important to note that only God can give life. The disciple can sow the seed and care for it, but if God does not give the increase then there shall be no fruit. To give new life is God’s prerogative (John 1:12, 6:63 & 1 Corinthians 3:7).

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus used plain speech. He now starts to talk in parables. He talks in parables because they are only for believers and they are taught in such a way that only believers will understanding the meaning and purpose of them.

The Parable of the Sower is a parable told by Jesus to show how people respond to the Gospel. It is a growth parable that teaches how important it is to have a good heart to receive the Gospel. The parable also shows how people’s actions and choices after hearing the Gospel determine their salvation. The Sower represents God, the seed represents the word of God, the soil represents the condition of the human heart and the fruit represents salvation. A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. All the seven parables in Matthew 13 are about the coming kingdom.

The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares

Verses 24-30

Jesus spoke another parable. This time he likened the Kingdom of Heaven unto a man that sows good seed into a field. The good seed refers not to the word, as in the first parable, but to what the Word has generated, which are the children of the kingdom. These are providentially sown, meaning they are scattered throughout the field of the world. The world here encompasses both geographical and ethnic aspects; the earthly realm and mankind. The wheat of God simultaneously becomes a setting for Satan’s actions. Where the children of the kingdom are gathered, there, among the wheat Satan plants sons of the wicked one, who claim to be children of the kingdom and, outwardly, resemble the true children so closely that only the angels can ultimately be trusted to distinguish between them. Satan’s deceptive power is so strong that the tares often genuinely believe themselves to be children of the kingdom. Numerous other parables and teachings reflect this mixed condition.

In fact, this theme characterizes Matthew from chapter 13 to the conclusion. The parable of the wheat and the tares does not depict the world but rather what claims to be the kingdom. Not all non-believers are labelled as children of the devil; only those who have deliberately turned away from the light.

Remember, that Jesus said, “while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares.” If we are not watchful and careful the enemy will plant seeds of doubt and falsehood in our minds. There has never been a visible church that has been made of only “wheat”. No church or denomination is perfect, not the Church of England, not the Methodists, nor the Baptists, and nor the Presbyterian Church. Every church and assembly of believers has its faults and issues, if we are searching for the true denomination on earth then we will be disappointed. Tares will be found among the wheat; hypocrites, deceivers, and false teachers will creep in.

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

Verses 31-32

The parable of the mustard seed teaches us that the Kingdom of Heaven will grow. A mustard seed may be tiny, but it grows into a shrub that can be up to 10 feet high. This means that even though your faith is as small as a mustard seed do not underestimate what God can do.

The Parable of the Wheat and Tares Explained

Verses 33-43

Before Jesus goes into the explanation of the parable of the wheat and the tares, he likened the kingdom of heaven unto leaven. This is the easiest of the parables to understand. It has been suggested that this parable is teaching us that the kingdom of heaven grows secretly. This is the only passage that leaven is spoken of in regard to permeating qualities. Often in Scripture leaven is spoken of in negative terms associated with sin and evil, but here leaven is spoken of in positive terms.

In verse 35 we read that the words of the prophet were fulfilled. In this case, the prophet is the psalmist, and the text is Psalm 78:2. Jesus then goes into explaining the parable of the wheat and the tares. The true sower of the seeds of  is the Lord Himself. Jesus explains that the field is the world, the good seed is believers, the tares are the non-believers, the enemy is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels of God. Those that are, “the wheat into (his) barn” is the righteous in the kingdom of heaven. The reference to “shine like the sun” may be a reference to Daniel 12:3.

The Value of the Kingdom of Heaven

Verses 44-52

In this portion of Scripture, there are three parables of our Lord. The first is found in verse 44, the second in verses 45-46, and the third is found in verses 47-52. The first parable is commonly known as the parable of the hidden treasure. In the parable our Lord teaches us that the Kingdom of Heaven will be full of people who have found Christ as their treasure. They have given up a life of sin for one of righteousness. They have given up their old life of misery and woe for a life with Christ that is full of joy unspeakable and full of glory.

The second commonly known as the pearl of great price is like the first parable. The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is seeking beautiful pearls. When he finds the pearl, he gives up all he has to buy the pearls. When we come to a knowledge of what the Kingdom of Heaven is like all those who are truly seeking the Saviour will desire to give up all they have to gain the Kingdom of Heaven. In Christ, they have found the pearl of great price. They have found the treasure.

The third parable is called the parable of the dragnet. In this parable, the sea is the world, and the dragnet is likened to the preaching of the Gospel. When the Gospel is preached to every nation sinners respond to the call of salvation. The Church is made up of every people group across the world. There are people from every nation, tongue, and tribe. There are young and old, rich, and poor. The Good News of the Gospel is for all who repent and believe. The call of the Gospel will separate the just from the unjust.

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth

Verses 53-58

When Christ spoke in the synagogue they marvelled at the great wisdom. They questioned among themselves who Jesus was. They knew who his mother was and who his brothers were. This caused them to ponder even more as Christ spoke like no man before. They were offended by his teaching and seeing their unbelief Jesus did not do many mighty works in their presence.