The Parable Of The Sower
THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER
MARK 4:1-9
Notice the obstacles that interfere with the effectiveness of the seed.
One of the most characteristic features of the teaching of Jesus was his use of parables; they were collected together by his hearers, and this chapter gives such a collection of stories which were no doubt told frequently in many places. The present occasion was a return to the lakeside where once again Jesus had to find an improvised pulpit (cf. 3:9).
In the Old Testament we find a considerable number of sayings which might be described as parables—pithy proverbs (1 Samuel 24:13), riddles (Psalm 49:4), proverbial examples of disaster (Deuteronomy 23:37), oracles (Numbers 23:7), and fables, tales and allegories (Ezekiel 17:2-10). Almost any kind of non-literal statement could be called a parable. Parables are, therefore, unusual ways of speaking that convey a sharp and pointed lesson. The parables of Jesus include proverbs (Luke 4:23), metaphors and similes (Mark 2:21f.; 3:23), typical events (eg the Sower) and stories of particular incidents (eg the Good Samaritan). Sometimes there is only one main point, sometimes a more extended lesson.
Here is such a story, demanding the reader’s full attention as much as that of the original hearer (4:3,9); make sure you get to the bottom of this, says Jesus, for it is not simply a lesson in agriculture! The story itself is perfectly clear with its description of the farmer sowing his seed broadcast over different parts of the field. But what does it mean? For the moment forget that there is an “explanation” later in the chapter. The crowds did not hear that explanation: what would they have made of the parable? Was Jesus comforting his disciples who saw little result from the mission and promising that a glorious harvest was coming? Or was he telling the people to listen to the message with care, so that they might be like good ground? Or was he reflecting on the very mixed success of his work and concluding that, just as in agriculture, this was only to be expected? Or what? “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”