When Jesus began teaching in parables, it marked a dramatic turning point in His ministry. Early on, His message to Israel was direct: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17). But after persistent opposition—especially the Pharisees’ accusation that He cast out demons by Satan’s power (Matthew 12:24)—Jesus no longer spoke plainly to the crowds. Instead, He began to speak in parables.
When His disciples asked why, Jesus explained that parables served a dual purpose:
“The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them” (Matthew 13:11).
This shift fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah (Matthew 13:14–15). Parables were not just illustrations; they were filters of spiritual discernment. To those with faith, they revealed mysteries. To the hardened, they confirmed blindness. It was a form of judicial concealment—truth hidden from those who had rejected the King.
Words: 1296 / Time to read: 7 minutes
From a dispensational perspective, the parables in Matthew 13 reveal the mystery phase of the Kingdom—a form not foretold in the Old Testament. This phase occurs after Israel’s rejection of Christ and before His future return. During this time, the Kingdom is present spiritually, growing and working quietly, but the visible, earthly reign has been postponed.
These parables were addressed to Israel, not the Church. The Church had not yet been revealed. The apostles never used parables to teach Church doctrine. Their epistles contain direct, Spirit-inspired instruction for the Body of Christ. Jesus’ parables instead described what would happen while the King was absent—between His first coming and His Second Coming.
Even so, the parables retain significance for believers today. They help us understand the present form of God’s Kingdom program and point ahead to events that will unfold after the Rapture, during the Tribulation, and into the Millennial reign of Christ.
The Parable of the Sower
Matthew 13:3–9
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
Understanding the Parable
This parable, the first in Matthew 13, was delivered to a large crowd from a boat by the Sea of Galilee. The imagery would have been familiar to His listeners—farmers and workers who understood seed, soil, and seasons. But while the scene was relatable, its spiritual meaning was hidden from all but those with “ears to hear.”
In verses 18–23, Jesus provides the interpretation. The seed is “the Word of the Kingdom”—not a general gospel message, but specifically the offer of the Messianic Kingdom to Israel. The different soils symbolize the varied responses of those who heard Jesus preach.
The Path – The Hardened Heart
Seed that falls on a hardened path is exposed, vulnerable to birds—symbolizing Satan—who snatches it away. This represents those who hear but reject the truth immediately. In Jesus’ day, this was typified by the Pharisees and teachers of the Law. Despite witnessing miracles, they accused Jesus of demonic power and closed their hearts.
“Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.” (Matthew 13:13)
The Rocky Ground – The Shallow Heart
Some receive the word with enthusiasm, but there’s no root. Trials and persecution cause them to fall away. These are shallow, emotional responses that lack true faith. Jesus saw this in the multitudes who followed Him for signs but turned away when challenged (John 6:66). Today, we see it in those who walk an aisle but never walk with Christ.
The Thorny Ground – The Distracted Heart
Others hear the word, but the cares of life and pursuit of wealth choke it out. Their hearts are crowded. Jesus described this in the story of the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:22) who valued possessions over obedience. In our day, this is epidemic—hearts filled with anxiety, ambition, and materialism. The Word gets no space to grow.
The Good Soil – The Receptive Heart
The good soil represents those who hear, understand, and bear fruit—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundredfold. This is genuine transformation. Not all bear equal fruit, but all bear some. The seed is unchanged; it is the soil—the heart—that determines the outcome.
The yield Jesus described would have stunned His audience. A typical harvest in Israel might yield five to fifteen times what was sown. A hundredfold? That was miraculous. It highlights the supernatural power of God’s Word when received by faith.
How This Parable Fits God’s Kingdom Program
The Parable of the Sower reveals why the Kingdom, though offered, was not received. Jesus, the rightful King, came proclaiming, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” But only a few had hearts ready to respond. Most either rejected, resisted, or were too distracted.
This rejection led to the postponement of the Kingdom’s full realization. Yet the sowing continues. The Word is still going out. And although the Church is not the Kingdom, the principles of this parable resonate with all who labor in the Word—pastors, missionaries, and faithful believers who scatter seed wherever they go.
In the coming Tribulation, after the Rapture, the sowing will resume under a different administration. The 144,000 Jewish evangelists (Revelation 7:1–8) and the Two Witnesses (Revelation 11:3–13) will proclaim truth in the face of persecution. Many will believe—an innumerable multitude (Revelation 7:9–14)—but the same pattern will hold: some will receive, many will not.
Final Reflection
The Parable of the Sower is not about the seed. The Word of the Kingdom is always powerful and effective. The question is: What kind of soil are you?
“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.” (John 8:31)
The hardened heart resists. The shallow heart fades. The crowded heart is distracted. But the receptive heart is transformed—and it bears fruit for eternity.
As C.I. Scofield once noted:
“The parables of the Kingdom are not for building the Church but for understanding the unseen workings of the Kingdom while the King is absent.”
Let us listen carefully. Let us receive the Word deeply. Let us bear fruit that lasts.
Want to Go Deeper?
This post is adapted from my book, The Parables of Jesus: Covert Communication from the King (Grace and Knowledge Series, Book 7). It offers clear, verse-by-verse explanations of every parable using a faithful dispensational lens.
👉 Read the full book on Amazon →
(Includes all parables in Gospel order, Old Testament parallels, and detailed Kingdom commentary.)
All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Related
The Parable of the Sower – Matthew 13:3–9, 18–23
Published by Brother Woody BrohmWhen Jesus began teaching in parables, it marked a dramatic turning point in His ministry. Early on, His message to Israel was direct: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17). But after persistent opposition—especially the Pharisees’ accusation that He cast out demons by Satan’s power (Matthew 12:24)—Jesus no longer spoke plainly to the crowds. Instead, He began to speak in parables.
When His disciples asked why, Jesus explained that parables served a dual purpose:
This shift fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah (Matthew 13:14–15). Parables were not just illustrations; they were filters of spiritual discernment. To those with faith, they revealed mysteries. To the hardened, they confirmed blindness. It was a form of judicial concealment—truth hidden from those who had rejected the King.
Words: 1296 / Time to read: 7 minutes
From a dispensational perspective, the parables in Matthew 13 reveal the mystery phase of the Kingdom—a form not foretold in the Old Testament. This phase occurs after Israel’s rejection of Christ and before His future return. During this time, the Kingdom is present spiritually, growing and working quietly, but the visible, earthly reign has been postponed.
These parables were addressed to Israel, not the Church. The Church had not yet been revealed. The apostles never used parables to teach Church doctrine. Their epistles contain direct, Spirit-inspired instruction for the Body of Christ. Jesus’ parables instead described what would happen while the King was absent—between His first coming and His Second Coming.
Even so, the parables retain significance for believers today. They help us understand the present form of God’s Kingdom program and point ahead to events that will unfold after the Rapture, during the Tribulation, and into the Millennial reign of Christ.
The Parable of the Sower
Matthew 13:3–9
Understanding the Parable
This parable, the first in Matthew 13, was delivered to a large crowd from a boat by the Sea of Galilee. The imagery would have been familiar to His listeners—farmers and workers who understood seed, soil, and seasons. But while the scene was relatable, its spiritual meaning was hidden from all but those with “ears to hear.”
In verses 18–23, Jesus provides the interpretation. The seed is “the Word of the Kingdom”—not a general gospel message, but specifically the offer of the Messianic Kingdom to Israel. The different soils symbolize the varied responses of those who heard Jesus preach.
The Path – The Hardened Heart
Seed that falls on a hardened path is exposed, vulnerable to birds—symbolizing Satan—who snatches it away. This represents those who hear but reject the truth immediately. In Jesus’ day, this was typified by the Pharisees and teachers of the Law. Despite witnessing miracles, they accused Jesus of demonic power and closed their hearts.
The Rocky Ground – The Shallow Heart
Some receive the word with enthusiasm, but there’s no root. Trials and persecution cause them to fall away. These are shallow, emotional responses that lack true faith. Jesus saw this in the multitudes who followed Him for signs but turned away when challenged (John 6:66). Today, we see it in those who walk an aisle but never walk with Christ.
The Thorny Ground – The Distracted Heart
Others hear the word, but the cares of life and pursuit of wealth choke it out. Their hearts are crowded. Jesus described this in the story of the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:22) who valued possessions over obedience. In our day, this is epidemic—hearts filled with anxiety, ambition, and materialism. The Word gets no space to grow.
The Good Soil – The Receptive Heart
The good soil represents those who hear, understand, and bear fruit—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundredfold. This is genuine transformation. Not all bear equal fruit, but all bear some. The seed is unchanged; it is the soil—the heart—that determines the outcome.
The yield Jesus described would have stunned His audience. A typical harvest in Israel might yield five to fifteen times what was sown. A hundredfold? That was miraculous. It highlights the supernatural power of God’s Word when received by faith.
How This Parable Fits God’s Kingdom Program
The Parable of the Sower reveals why the Kingdom, though offered, was not received. Jesus, the rightful King, came proclaiming, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” But only a few had hearts ready to respond. Most either rejected, resisted, or were too distracted.
This rejection led to the postponement of the Kingdom’s full realization. Yet the sowing continues. The Word is still going out. And although the Church is not the Kingdom, the principles of this parable resonate with all who labor in the Word—pastors, missionaries, and faithful believers who scatter seed wherever they go.
In the coming Tribulation, after the Rapture, the sowing will resume under a different administration. The 144,000 Jewish evangelists (Revelation 7:1–8) and the Two Witnesses (Revelation 11:3–13) will proclaim truth in the face of persecution. Many will believe—an innumerable multitude (Revelation 7:9–14)—but the same pattern will hold: some will receive, many will not.
Final Reflection
The Parable of the Sower is not about the seed. The Word of the Kingdom is always powerful and effective. The question is: What kind of soil are you?
The hardened heart resists. The shallow heart fades. The crowded heart is distracted. But the receptive heart is transformed—and it bears fruit for eternity.
As C.I. Scofield once noted:
Let us listen carefully. Let us receive the Word deeply. Let us bear fruit that lasts.
Want to Go Deeper?
This post is adapted from my book, The Parables of Jesus: Covert Communication from the King (Grace and Knowledge Series, Book 7). It offers clear, verse-by-verse explanations of every parable using a faithful dispensational lens.
👉 Read the full book on Amazon →
(Includes all parables in Gospel order, Old Testament parallels, and detailed Kingdom commentary.)
All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Related