Parable of the Sower
J. Jowett, M. A. Luke 8:4-15 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spoke by a parable:… I. BY THE WAYSIDE. 1. The design intended in God's ordinance of preaching — what is it? We answer, your salvation. 2. The means of becoming interested in this salvation are also here declared. "Lest they should believe," says the parable, "and be saved." 3. A hindrance, with many, occurs at the very outset. No sooner is the Word of life spoken to them than — "then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved." 4. The success or failure of this hindrance will be owing, not to Satan — though his power is fearfully great — but to yourselves. II. UPON A ROCK. A class of hearers in whom there is some appearance of believing the gospel. Further, their assent is not a cold and involuntary, but a warm and lively, approbation — "They receive the Word with joy." III. AMONG THORNS. A class of persons whose consciences appear to be touched, and, in a certain sense, permanently touched, by the solemn verities of the gospel. And a change has been wrought upon them, by what they have felt. IV. ON GOOD GROUND. The superiority of this class consists in — 1. A difference of the soil. Here is "an honest and good heart." 2. difference in the reception given to the seed sown; that is, to the Word of salvation. The honest and good heart, "having heard the Word, keeps it." 3. There is a difference in the growth also, where the seed falls upon an honest and good heart. It germinates, not hastily, as where neither root nor moisture are found; not irregularly, and amidst perpetual resistance, as where thorny cares, deceitful riches, and ensnaring pleasures choke it; but "with patience" — progressively, uniformly. 4. A difference in the fruit produced. (J. Jowett, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: WEB: When a great multitude came together, and people from every city were coming to him, he spoke by a parable.