August 11, 2024 | Dr. Doug McCart
A sower went out to sow: Jesus spoke according to the agricultural customs of His day. In those days, seed was scattered first and then it was plowed into the ground.
i. Before one can be a sower, he must be an eater and a receiver. This one came out of the granary – the place where seed is stored – and from his Bible the sower brought forth seed.
b. As he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside…on stony places…among thorns…on good ground: In this parable the seed fell on four different types of soil.
i. The wayside was the path where people walked and nothing could grow because the ground was too hard.
ii. Stony places were where the soil was thin, lying upon a rocky shelf. On this ground the seed springs up quickly because of the warmth of the soil, but the seed is unable to take root because of the rocky shelf.
iii. Among thorns describes soil that is fertile – perhaps too fertile, because thorns grow there as well as grain.
iv. Good ground describes soil that is both fertile and weed-free. A good, productive crop grows in the good ground.
c. He who has ears to hear, let him hear: This was not a call for all to listen. Rather, it was a call for those who were spiritually sensitive to take special note. This was especially true in light of the next few verses, in which Jesus explained the purpose of parables.