The Parable of the Sower

From Christianity

A sower went out to sow seeds. As he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.

Later, Jesus explains the meaning of the parable to his disciples. The seed represents the word of God, and the different types of soil represent different responses people have to hearing the word:

The seeds that fell along the path represent those who hear the word but do not understand it, and Satan comes and snatches away what was sown in their hearts.

The seeds that fell on rocky ground represent those who hear the word and immediately receive it with joy, but they have no root and fall away when troubles or persecution arise because of the word.

The seeds that fell among thorns represent those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

The seeds that fell on good soil represent those who hear the word, understand it, and bear fruit, yielding a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.

This parable teaches about the importance of receptivity to the teachings of the Divine, the challenges faced in spiritual growth, and the varying levels of fruitfulness that result from different responses to the word of God.