Introduction
There are numerous parables found in the Bible. A parable is picturesque figure of speech in which an analogy refers to a similar but different reality. In layman’s terms it is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. In Hebrew, the term for parable is “māšāl” which also refers a proverb, riddle or allegory.
Generally, parables are primarily used to illustrate a message. Since teachings at the time were passed down verbally from memory, the memorable quality would aid in memorizing. In Jesus’ teachings, parables and parabolic messages are widely used. Jesus would use illustrations from daily life to deliver a message. Most of Jesus’ parables were Palestinian and Galilean in nature due to His audience and where He was teaching. One such parable is the Parable of the Sower . In Matthew 13, Jesus speaks to the crowd through a parable about four types of grounds. The hardened ground , the rocky ground, the thorny soil and the good soil. It is on these soils that the sower sows the seeds. The growth quality of the seeds then vary depending on the soil condition they landed on. The seeds that fell on the hard ground never grew because birds took them. Those that fell on rocky ground withered early on because they couldn’t endure the heat. Those that fell among thorns stunted in growth because they were hindered. Lastly, those that fell on good soil grew and produced a harvest. Later in the chapter, Jesus explains the meaning of the parable to his disciples .
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