The Parable of the Sower
1Again4:1–12 Mt 13:1–15; Lk 8:4–10 he began to teach4:1 Mt 28:20; Ac 4:2; 2Tm 4:11 by the sea, and a very large crowd gathered around him. So he got into a boat on the sea and sat down, while the whole crowd was by the sea on the shore.
2He taught them many things in parables,4:2 Mk 12:1 and in his teaching4:2 Mk 11:18; Ac 2:42; 17:19 he said to them,
4As he sowed, some seed fell along the path,4:4 Mk 8:27 and the birds came and devoured4:4 Gl 5:15 it.
5Other seed fell on rocky ground where it didn’t have much soil, and it grew up quickly,4:5 Mk 10:52 since the soil wasn’t deep.
7Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it didn’t produce fruit.
Why Jesus Used Parables
10When he was alone, those around him with the Twelve4:10 Mk 11:11 asked him about the parables.4:10 Mk 12:1
11He answered them, “The secret4:11 1Co 2:7 of the kingdom of God4:11 Mk 1:15 has been given to you, but to those outside,4:11 Rm 9:27 everything comes in parables
12so that
they may indeed look,
and yet not perceive;
they may indeed listen,
and yet not understand;
4:12
Mk 7:18
otherwise, they might turn back
The Parable of the Sower Explained
13Then4:13–20 Mt 13:18–23; Lk 8:9–15 he said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable?4:13 Mk 12:1 How then will you understand all of the parables?
15Some are like the word sown on the path.4:15 Mk 8:27 When they hear, immediately Satan4:15 Mt 4:10 comes and takes away the word4:15 Lk 6:47 sown in them.4:15 Other mss read in their hearts
16And others are like seed sown on rocky ground. When they hear the word, immediately they receive it with joy.4:16 Jn 5:43; 15:11
17But they have no root; they are short-lived. When distress4:17 2Co 1:4 or persecution comes because of the word, they immediately fall away.4:17 Jn 16:1
18Others are like seed sown among thorns; these are the ones who hear the word,
Using Your Light
21He4:21–25 Lk 8:16–18 also said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed?4:21 Lk 5:18 Isn’t it to be put on a lampstand?4:21 Rv 1:12
22For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed,4:22 2Co 4:11 and nothing concealed that will not be brought to light.
The Parable of the Growing Seed
27He sleeps4:27 Mt 9:24 and rises4:27 Mk 5:41 night4:27 Jn 9:4 and day; the seed sprouts and grows, although he doesn’t know how.
28The soil produces a crop4:28 Col 1:10 by itself — first the blade, then the head, and then the full grain4:28 Lk 16:7 on the head.
29As soon as the crop is ready, he sends for the sickle,4:29 Jl 3:13; Rv 14:14–19 because the harvest4:29 Rv 14:15 has come.”
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
30And4:30–34 Mt 13:31–35; Lk 13:18–21 he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God,4:30 Mk 1:15 or what parable4:30 Mk 12:1 can we use to describe it?
Using Parables
Wind and Waves Obey Jesus
35On4:35–41 Mt 8:23–27; Lk 8:22–25 that day, when evening had come, he told them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the sea.”
36So they left the crowd and took him along since he was in the boat. And other boats were with him.
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