The parable of the sower of seed (Matthew 13: 1–9, 18–23)
The parable of the sower is an 'allegory' about the Kingdom of God. In other words, it can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, everything in the story represents something else.
It is a growth parable.
An illustration of the parable of the sower, published in 1877
| Parable | Meaning | Significance for today |
| A man went out to sow grain. | The man represents God and the seed is His message. | Just as a planted seed starts to grow, the word of God starts to deepen and grow within a person. |
| Some seed fell on the path and the birds ate it. | The birds represent Satan. The seed on the path represents people who hear the message, but it is immediately lost. | There are people who don’t live a good Christian life because they are focused on other things. |
| Some seed fell on rocky ground where there was little soil. The seed soon sprouted, but when the sun came up it burnt the young plants. | The seed on the rocky ground represents people who respond with initial enthusiasm, but the word of God does not sink in deep. When persecution or hard times (represented by the sun) come along they give up at once. | People cannot commit to the Christian lifestyle. They are initially attracted but give up when the going gets tough. |
| Some seed fell among thorn bushes which grew up and choked the plants. | The thorn bushes choke the message of God. It is heard, but people’s concern for riches and their worries about life cause the plants to die. | Some people are too concerned with what others think and they worry too much. They may be jealous, angry or concerned with materialism. |
| Some seed fell on good soil and the plants produced corn. | Good soil represents people who hear the message and live it in their lives. | Some people have strong faith and remain dedicated to a Christian lifestyle, even when things are difficult. |
| Parable | A man went out to sow grain. |
|---|---|
| Meaning | The man represents God and the seed is His message. |
| Significance for today | Just as a planted seed starts to grow, the word of God starts to deepen and grow within a person. |
| Parable | Some seed fell on the path and the birds ate it. |
|---|---|
| Meaning | The birds represent Satan. The seed on the path represents people who hear the message, but it is immediately lost. |
| Significance for today | There are people who don’t live a good Christian life because they are focused on other things. |
| Parable | Some seed fell on rocky ground where there was little soil. The seed soon sprouted, but when the sun came up it burnt the young plants. |
|---|---|
| Meaning | The seed on the rocky ground represents people who respond with initial enthusiasm, but the word of God does not sink in deep. When persecution or hard times (represented by the sun) come along they give up at once. |
| Significance for today | People cannot commit to the Christian lifestyle. They are initially attracted but give up when the going gets tough. |
| Parable | Some seed fell among thorn bushes which grew up and choked the plants. |
|---|---|
| Meaning | The thorn bushes choke the message of God. It is heard, but people’s concern for riches and their worries about life cause the plants to die. |
| Significance for today | Some people are too concerned with what others think and they worry too much. They may be jealous, angry or concerned with materialism. |
| Parable | Some seed fell on good soil and the plants produced corn. |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Good soil represents people who hear the message and live it in their lives. |
| Significance for today | Some people have strong faith and remain dedicated to a Christian lifestyle, even when things are difficult. |