Hear ye: Behold, the sower went out to sow.
ακουετε ιδου εξηλθεν ο σπειρων του σπειραι
8 Church Fathers comment on this verse
What is the meaning of this parable? It reveals that the sower went forth to plant seeds. How did the Infinite and All-sufficient One come forth? This is not from a physical location, but rather in His disposition and compassion toward us, drawing nearer by taking on human form. Since our sins hindered our access, He willingly approached us.
He aims to convey that the seed represents the word, which becomes lost when it lands on the inattentive heart. He emphasizes this point to encourage the listeners to be vigilant and not to be like the ground that corrupts the seed. But who is the Sower? It is Christ Himself, who, in His humanity and humility, emerged from the Father’s bosom without interruption—not to consume the cursed earth or wicked hearts, nor to eradicate the thorns, but rather to scatter the seed. What seed is this? Is it not the seed of Moses? Or the seed of the prophets? No, it is His own seed, signifying the proclamation of His gospel.
Reflect, dear friends, on how the Lord consistently reveals to us the promise of future Resurrection, with the Lord Jesus Christ being the first to experience this by His rising from the dead. Let us observe how the idea of Resurrection is ever-present. The cycle of day and night illustrates this beautifully: night falls and day dawns; day ends and night returns. Consider the growth of fruit as well; how does the planting occur? The sower goes forth, scattering seeds upon the soil, and when these seeds, dry and exposed, find themselves in the ground, they perish. Yet, from the state of decay, the magnificent plan of the Lord's Providence brings them back to life, so that from one seed, a multitude arises, yielding abundant fruit.
Let’s also reflect on a remarkable phenomenon found in the east, particularly in Arabia. There exists a bird, known as the phoenix. This unique creature lives for five hundred years. As it nears the end of its life, it constructs a nest using materials from Lebanon and Smyrna along with various fragrant substances. When the time comes, it lays down in the nest and breathes its last. Subsequently, from its decomposing body emerges a worm that thrives on the essence of the deceased bird, which eventually develops feathers. Once matured, this new creature takes its ancestor’s bones within the nest and journeys from Arabia to Egypt, specifically to a city called Heliopolis. Upon arrival during daylight, clearly visible to all, it places the nest upon the altar of the sun and then returns. The priests, upon consulting their records, discover that it has returned at the age of five hundred years. Should we not find it wondrous and delightful that the Creator of all brings forth a resurrection for those who serve Him faithfully and with good faith, especially since He has demonstrated the enormity of His promise even through the example of a bird?
Since the sower first began to cast seed, the act of sowing has continued unabated. Initially, the sower engaged in this task personally, then extended it through the apostles, and ultimately through sacred writings and wise teachers. The truth of God's word remains actively dispersed throughout the world. If you prepare yourself as fertile soil, you will undoubtedly receive and nurture the seed, allowing God to cultivate it. How can we ready ourselves to be good soil? Through diligent attention and study of Scripture, through heartfelt love for it, and through a willingness to swiftly put into practice what we learn. With such a mindset, no word will merely rest upon the soul; instead, each word will penetrate deeply.
It will intertwine with the cherished elements of the spirit, take root, and produce life. Sustained by heavenly inspiration and nourished by righteous desires and efforts, it will flourish into a strong tree, bearing blossoms and fruit. This divine arrangement is established by God around us, which leads us to ponder our own fruitlessness. Such barrenness stems from our negligence and lack of engagement.
In the initial parable, delivered in response to this purpose before the crowds gathered by the shores of the Sea of Gennesaret, the Lord illustrated the enigma of His kingdom, emphasizing that not everyone who hears the message of the kingdom will partake in its blessings. This raises the question of who will truly be included and to what extent, particularly among those already within the fold. The Lord had previously indicated that even the sons of the kingdom would face rejection, although this message seemed directed primarily at the Apostles. This was a profoundly significant matter, as many might falsely nurture hope while remaining indifferent. It was particularly challenging for the Jews to accept this truth in its entirety.
Therefore, the Lord conveyed His lessons through the parable of the sower and the four types of soil. The sower scattered seeds, all uniform in nature, yet the soil varied, resulting in three parts of the seed failing to thrive, while only one portion yielded fruit—each with differing outcomes. This parable represented the varied responses to His message among the Jewish people, both present and future. For some, like the Pharisees, the message found no acceptance, while for others, it was received, but their faith did not take deep root or fully occupy their hearts. As persecution from their own community would soon arise, these followers of Christ would struggle to endure for the sake of the gospel and might abandon the teachings of the kingdom. Even without persecution, the cares of this life could choke the divine message, preventing them from striving to cleanse their hearts of worldly passions. Many who now turn to Christ could fall into these categories. Ultimately, a remnant will remain in whom the word of the kingdom thrives and bears fruit, though at varying levels.
He called to mind the fields of their homeland, some of which were tangled with thorny bushes, while others were rocky, covered only by a thin layer of loose earth. Comparing these conditions to the multitude gathered before Him, He proclaimed, “Behold, a sower went out to sow.” Later, after the Lord had completed His teachings through parables, the twelve Apostles along with those nearby sought clarification on His message, to which the Lord responded. “Behold, a sower went out to sow” (Matt. 13:3). The seed represents the word of God (Luke 8:11). The sower sows the word (Mk. 4:14). But who does this sower represent?
In another parable concerning the tares, Jesus identified Himself as the sower, the Son of Man, as clarified in His explanation to the disciples: “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man” (Matthew 13:37). However, in His interpretation of this particular parable, He did not specify the identity of the sower. Therefore, it is appropriate to understand that Jesus Christ Himself is the sower in this instance, along with all the Apostles, their successors, and any preachers who communicate the word of God through speech or writing.
As the Savior departed from the residence of Simon the Pharisee, a great crowd followed Him, eager to absorb His sacred teachings. He made His way to the lakeshore, where the throng was substantial, pressing Him toward the water, which obstructed His ability to speak freely. Hence, He stepped into a boat, as He had previously, and from its elevated stern, akin to a pulpit, He shared His messages with the multitude gathered on the shore through parables. The first of these profound lessons was the parable of the Sower, illustrating the initial planting of God's word in the human heart.
In a region like Galilee, the imagery within this parable would have been particularly relatable and vivid to the audience. The sower could easily be seen by all, casting seeds onto a freshly plowed field on a nearby hillside descending toward the lake. The listeners were familiar with the fate of the seeds; some landed on the path, where birds came and devoured them. Others fell on rocky ground, where they sprouted quickly due to the shallow soil, but without deep roots, they withered in the heat of the sun. Some seeds found their way into thorny areas, where they were choked by the thorns. Finally, some seeds fell on fertile soil and yielded a harvest: one produced a hundredfold, another sixtyfold, and another thirtyfold.
In this parable, the Lord illustrates that while many receive the word of God, only a few truly comprehend and follow the teachings of Christ. Who is depicted as the sower? The Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ. What does the seed represent? It symbolizes the word of God. What do the different grounds where the seed falls signify? They represent the hearts of individuals. What does the path illustrate? It indicates those who are distracted, hearing the word with their ears only, devoid of heartfelt engagement. What do the birds represent? They symbolize Satan and the various temptations he employs to stifle the word of God within us. What does the rocky ground signify?
It depicts individuals with shallow faith, who joyfully receive the word of God in favorable times, but falter in hardship and despair, turning away from God. And what about the thorns that choke the seed? They represent those consumed by worldly concerns: the anxieties of life and the allure of wealth that hinder the word of God within them. What does the good soil signify? It stands for true believers who attentively hear the word of God with reverence and prayer, and not only listen but also act upon it. What is the fruit? It consists of the good deeds that result from heeding God's word. When this parable refers to a hundred, sixty, or thirtyfold, it indicates that even among true believers who continuously engage with the word of God, some produce more good works than others. Thus, it is essential for us to introspect and discern to which category our hearts belong, and to seek divine assistance so that the good seed may take firm root within us.
He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Matthew 13:9. Watch how you hear. Luke 8:18. Marfo, Marfo, you are anxious, and you speak of many things, but one thing is necessary. Luke 10:41-42. But now being free from sin, and enslaved to God, you have your fruit for holiness, and the end is eternal life. Romans 6:22. Of this My Father is glorified, that you may bear much fruit, and be My disciples. John 15:8. But spiritual fruit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, mercy, faith, gentleness, self-control: on such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 6 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS