The Parable of the Sower is found in the three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) in the Bible; as well as in the Gospel of Thomas (Saying 9), part of the Gnostic literature of Coptic origin discovered in Egypt in 1945.  The Thomas version is short and inconclusive.  The canonical writings are quite a bit more complete and developed in terms of what Jesus said and what he meant by use of his symbolism.  For those who want to compare stories, see Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20 and Luke 8:1-15.  To cut to the chase, however, a sower (one who spreads or plants seeds for growing) scatters a bunch of seeds, which land on all kinds of surfaces.  As one might imagine, some of the surfaces work out better than others.  Those seeds that fell on the road were trampled or pulverized, and birds swooped down and ate a few.  Some of the seeds landed on soil that was either too dry or too thin to nurture growth for long.  Even where the soil was okay, thorns choked out some of our little seedlings.  Only when the soil was good and in just the right location, where the weather was fair and no thorns were, did seeds sprout and grow into healthy, strong plants that bore much fruit. 

I remember when I first heard the parable as a kid in Sunday school, I thought how unfair—because I was thinking those seeds were like souls or people.  People grow up in all kinds of conditions and environments, and not of their own choosing, some succeeding and others not.  While that allusion is tempting, it isn’t what Jesus said at all.  As Luke tells us, according to Jesus, “The seed is the word of God.”  That being the case, it is the various surfaces that are people.  Those who are the good ground, so to speak, are those with an honest heart who not only hear God’s word, but also keep it, despite trials and notwithstanding adversity.  They will bring forth much fruit in their lives.  

Most scholars think the parable is optimistic in outlook too.  Despite occasions where the seed does not grow or thrive, some of the seed most assuredly does and will.  If we are to cross-apply the metaphor (seed = God’s word), Scripture explains elsewhere: “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it….  Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree” (Isaiah 55:11, part of 13).  The word will have its intended, transformative effect regardless—whether you’re the most cooperative surface in town or not.  The kingdom of heaven comes.  Nobody said it was easy, only inevitable. 

What about that alternate parable involving a sower, the Parable of the Tares?  That one is found only in Matthew, as well as the Book of Thomas (Saying 57).  According to the Gospel, “…The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.  But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also….  The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?  But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.  Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn” (Matthew 13: 24-26, 28-30).  In this case the seeds really are metaphorically speaking, people! 

God is presented as patient in His judgment, affording us opportunity to get on the proverbial ‘straight and narrow.’  If we cross-apply Scripture, these seeds (meaning people) have free will, the choice of whom to serve—only we can’t serve two masters (Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13).  Eventually, time is up and Judgment rolls around.  Literally, there is a reaping what is sown.  Jesus explains his symbolism further: “He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.  As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.  The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.  Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.  Who hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 13: 37-43).  Indeed, and don’t mix your metaphors!   

Wes Riddle is a retired military officer with degrees and honors from West Point and Oxford.  Widely published in the academic and opinion press, he ran for U.S. Congress (TX-District 31) in the 2004 Republican Primary.

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