Journal: Journal of Dispensational Theology
Volume: JODT 19:57 (Summer 2015)
Article: Excavating The Parable Of The Sower: Discerning Jesus’ Meaning
Author: Marcia Hornok

JODT 19:57 (Summer 2015) p. 185

Excavating The Parable Of The Sower:
Discerning Jesus’ Meaning

Marcia Hornok

* Marcia Hornok, M.A. student, Piedmont International University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; pastor’s wife and mother of six; managing editor, CHERA Fellowship magazine; and, author of various curriculum and devotional works

Jesus’ remarkable statement concerning his first recorded parable, which He called “the parable of the sower” (Matt 13:18, NKJV), gave a significant warning: “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?” (Mark 4:13). In other words, if one fails to interpret the parable of the sower accurately, one will fail to understand the other parables Jesus taught. Jesus Himself explained the parable, and yet its meaning is much debated today.

Many Bible commentaries assert that Jesus depicted the responses that four different categories of people will have to the gospel, concluding, “The gospel will be rejected by most people.”1 Some claim that only the last soil portrays a believer because it produces fruit.2 Others assert that only the first soil type represents an unbeliever because the seed germinates in the other three.3 Therefore, the parable is used as a turning point for evaluating whether people are saved, unsaved, carnal, persevering, or even not saved, but think they are. The conflicting interpretations result from classifying the four soils as unbelievers and the seed as the message of the gospel. Is that what Jesus intended?

In an attempt to discern Jesus’ original meaning and applications, this article will demonstrate that the seed represents any truth from God, not merely the gospel, and the four soils represent four ways that all people — believers and unbelievers — respond to what they hear.

JODT 19:57 (Summer 2015) p. 186

The Reason For The Parable

Prior to examining the text, it will be helpful to investigate why Jesus gave parables at a certain point in his ministry. Mark Bailey demonstrated that one must understand the setting of a parable, uncover the need that prompted it, and discern the central truth of the parable in its relationship to the kingdom. He wrote, “The central truth can be identified by understanding what question, occasion, problem, or need is portrayed in the historical setting. This question or problem will usually relate to Jesus’ disciples or to His opponents, and therefore is related to the revealing and conceal...