The Parable of the Sower by Ps Michael Podhaczky

In Matt 13:3-9,18-23; Mk 4:2-9; Lk 8:4-8,11-15, Jesus taught on what has become known as the Parable of the Sower. In this parable, Jesus referred to various types of ground (soil) that seed fell on and the result that this ground had on the seed. One of the types of ground that Jesus referred to was what He called “stony” or “rocky.” He said in Matt 13:5-6 that

 “…others fell upon the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away” (NASB).

Having just returned from Israel, one thing that stood out was how rocky the place is. There are rocks, boulders and mountains everywhere and this is now 2013, so what was it like in Jesus’ day? Now don’t get me wrong there is land in Israel that has no rocks, but this would appear to be as a result of the rocks having been removed from the ground.

This adds a completely new perspective on this parable. That is, it would not be hard for seed to fall on rocky ground and if it fell on “good ground” or “good soil,” verse 8, it was because the ground had the rocks removed. That is what would make it good or useful as it would be soil free from rocks. For it to be free from rocks though, they would need to be physically and intentionally be removed. The more rocks that were removed the more fruitful the ground would be, i.e. to be able yield a crop a hundred, sixty or thirty-fold. So, if all of the rocks were removed, then the crop could be a hundredfold, the less rocks that were removed the more likely the seed would fall on go to waste on rocks.


Jesus went on to explain and contrast the rocky with the good ground that can either cause the seed to go to waste on the rocks or yield a crop. Namely,

“…the one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word, and immediately receives it with joy;  yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away” (Matt 13:20-21 NASB).

“and the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit, and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty” (Mat 13:23 NASB)

So, it is one thing to receives the Word (seed) with joy, but another to hear and understand it. This hearing and understanding is a participle present active verb, i.e. to be one who is actively continually hearing in a ways that leads to understanding to gain insight into God’s Word. What are the rocks in your life that are hindering the deep-rooted growth of the Word of God? Maybe you have not allowed the Holy Spirit to remove these rocks physically and intentionally. Alternatively, you have only allowed Him to remove sufficient for sixty or thirty-fold growth, but not a hundredfold. So, why not yield the soil of your life to the Holy Spirit, so He is able to remove these rocks physically and intentionally, consequently becoming more fruitful?