How They See It: Sower, Seeds and Soils

Christians all over the world know and enjoy the Parable of the Sower, also known as the Parable of the Soils. Many ask with a sigh, "Am I rocky?" Some blame the sun damage and the rocks on the conditions of the soils, the motivation of the sower, or the self-identification of the listener. Much depends on how they see it.

A Parable of Purpose

"How they see it" is the nature and purpose of parables. A parable develops a comparison to teach abstract or less understood truths by helping listeners or readers recall or visualize something that is common in their lives. Jesus often referred to fields, vineyards, labor, local customs, servants, masters, family members, and other things listeners would recognize.

As one hears and sees, a mental picture is formed. Jesus spoke his parables to those around him, realizing that the full meaning of the stories and images would not be understood by most of them. He explained to His apostles:

Blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear... many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which you see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which you hear, and have not heard them. (Matthew 13:16-17)

Mark's account (3:11) explained the difference: "Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables." Luke (8:10) gave the reason for different understanding: "that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand." To His apostles alone, Jesus explained what they should learn in their time and context from the sower, the seeds, and the soils.

All three of the gospels include the Parable of the Sower. Over the centuries, Christians have continued to read this parable and to find meanings in it that are particularly relevant and helpful for them. In addition to the traditionally best-known interpretation, we will share different current perspectives and applications that today's 7-day Christians may also find interesting and helpful.

Traditional Interpretation

The Parable of the Sower includes four representations: The Sower (Jesus Christ), seeds (His teachings), soils (individuals whose hearts receive the seeds), and birds (satanic desecration). This parable teaches "circumstances and attitudes that can keep anyone who has received the seed of the gospel message from bringing forth a goodly harvest," explained former legal scholar, professor, and judge Dallin H. Oaks, who now devotes his life to Christian leadership and service. All have something to apply, but for individuals, how they see it themselves makes it more personal and motivating.

As the seeds were scattered, their soils treated them differently:

• Some "fell by the wayside" (Mark 4:4)—perhaps on hearts already so hard that seeds could not penetrate.
• Some fell on stony ground, with spaces for seeds to get in and begin their joyful growth, but not enough for roots to get a grip. The heat of the sun (like the heat of opposition) got to them, as there was nothing to anchor them down to resist challenges or to get moisture and nourishment to them. They withered and died.
• Some landed among thorns, which Dallin Oaks identified as "hearts set upon things of the world." He warned, "The most subtle thorns to choke out the effect of the... word in our lives are the worldly forces that Jesus called the 'cares and riches and pleasures of this life'” (Luke 8:14). Some individuals may knock thorns slightly aside and peek out occasionally, but that's not enough to produce effects like good soil.
• Some did enter "good soil," identified on a BBC website as "people who hear the message and live it in their lives... [who] have strong faith and remain dedicated to a Christian lifestyle, even when things are difficult."

Not all "good" soils are alike, and not all "good" people are alike. Our individuality and our blessings to be able to choose for ourselves and act for ourselves will result in different crop production. In the Savior's parable for his time, a crop producing 30 times its investment must have been a good crop; a 60 percent increase would have been even better. A 100 percent increase may have been reserved for apostles—or at least really strong followers.

Some Recent Interpretations

We include two recent interpretations of the Parable of the Sower to offer Christians an opportunity to see additional directions that enable readers to choose how they see it.

Sower's Intentions

Some Christians focus on intentions. They point out that the word of God, represented by the seed, was "scattered" over a variety of ground conditions to enable all the people to have opportunities to hear it. In contrast, we recall that Christ's analogies to vineyards indicate purposeful planning and care, intended to represent specific groups with focused messages. As soil occurrence is more random, the Sower's desire for a larger audience is logical.

The applications to "random" soils represent to intention interpreters Christ's assurance in Luke 5:31 that it is those who are sick, not those without problems, who need the physician. The website referenced also explains that "Christ came to share the Word of God with everyone," assuring that "we don’t serve a stingy God who picks and chooses who is good enough to hear the word. He graciously sows into everyone who is willing to accept his word."

These intention interpreters also comfort us stony or thorny folks that we don't have to stay that way. They suggest that many of us tend to shift around over a lifetime. We don't have to be stuck with stones or stranded in the sun.

Structural Stability

"What researchers call 'religious structural stability' offers clarity, purpose, and inspiration amidst life’s twists and turns," explained Gerrit W. Gong, an international Christian leader of Chinese descent. Dr. Gong specified, "The household of faith and community of [Christians] combat isolation and the lonely crowd." Fruit from their soil includes treating all sacred things with respect and becoming "our freest, happiest, most authentic, best selves as we follow Him in faith."

Large numbers interpret the Parable of the Sower in terms of how people think of themselves in relation to the kingdom of God. Again, they can understand it how they see it. Followers may think of their responsibility for teaching Christ's doctrine, principles, and standards. They search out methods—technological and otherwise—to communicate what they understand and feel as devout Christians. Social media may be one way to carefully do this. Their fruits can be experienced over wide distances.

Many others share the fruits of their Christian soil by becoming examples to help others see and hear the results of good soil in their lives. Through service, visible or private, they demonstrate these personal fruits, which are easy and pleasant to pass around.

Many look specifically for people who need help—spiritually, physically, socially, mentally, emotionally, or otherwise. The time given in personal (especially one-on-one) compassion lasts a long time without spoilage. There are as many particular sorts of fruit as there are particular soils.

Today's Christians are not wayside soils; if they have been some time in the past, Christianity has welcomed them to better soil. Many of us probably notice a few stones and briars that we could work on, but we are managing to get some fruit—maybe the 30% increase. But the timeless Parable of the Sower offers us hope and confidence. Jesus knew his apostles would need all the hope and confidence they could manage, and he told and explained a parable to bless them with understanding that a 60-time and even a 100-time increase are not impossible.