Teaching
The Sower
Four kinds of soil
The same seed (the Word) falls on different ground; the fruit depends on the heart that receives it.
The story
A sower scatters the same seed; it falls along the path, on rocky ground, among thorns and on good soil, with completely different results.
The meaning
The seed is the Word; the soils are hearts. The problem is never the seed, but the receptiveness: hardness, shallowness and “the worries of this life.”
Application
What kind of soil have I been? The good soil hears, understands and remains, and bears fruit.
Did you know?
- It is one of the rare parables Jesus explains in detail. Mark 4:14–20
Where to read in the Bible
- Mark 4:1–20
Connections
- taught by Jesus of Nazareth · stated in the text · Mark 4:2
- theme of Kingdom of God · stated in the text · Mark 4:11