Topical Bible: Agriculture of the Sower

Bible > Topical > Agriculture of the Sower

◄ Agriculture of the Sower ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of the "Agriculture of the Sower" is deeply rooted in biblical teachings, particularly in the parables of Jesus Christ. This theme is most prominently illustrated in the Parable of the Sower, found in the Synoptic Gospels: Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:4-15. This parable serves as a profound metaphor for the reception of the Word of God and the varied responses of human hearts.

Biblical Context and Interpretation

In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus describes a sower who scatters seed, which falls on four different types of ground: the path, rocky ground, among thorns, and good soil. Each type of soil represents a different response to the message of the Kingdom of God. The seed symbolizes the Word of God, and the sower is often interpreted as Jesus Himself or anyone who proclaims the Gospel.

1. The Path: The seed that falls along the path is quickly eaten by birds, symbolizing those who hear the Word but do not understand it. As a result, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their hearts. This represents a hardened heart, resistant to the truth of the Gospel. As Jesus explains in Matthew 13:19 , "When anyone hears the message of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart."

2. Rocky Ground: The seed that falls on rocky ground springs up quickly but withers under the sun because it lacks depth of soil. This represents those who receive the Word with joy but fall away when trouble or persecution arises. In Mark 4:16-17 , Jesus states, "Some are like the seeds sown on rocky ground. They hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But they themselves have no root, and they remain for only a season. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away."

3. Among Thorns: The seed that falls among thorns is choked by them, representing those who hear the Word but are overwhelmed by the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of wealth. Luke 8:14 describes this condition: "The seeds that fell among the thorns are those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life, and their fruit does not mature."

4. Good Soil: Finally, the seed that falls on good soil produces a bountiful harvest, symbolizing those who hear the Word, understand it, and bear fruit. This is the ideal response to the Gospel, characterized by a receptive heart and a fruitful life. As Jesus concludes in Matthew 13:23 , "But the seed sown on good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and produces a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold."

Theological Significance

The Parable of the Sower emphasizes the importance of the condition of the heart in receiving the Gospel. It underscores the sovereignty of God in the dissemination of His Word and the responsibility of individuals to respond appropriately. The varied responses highlight the spiritual battle that takes place in the hearts of men and women, as well as the transformative power of the Gospel when it is received in faith.

Agricultural Imagery in Scripture

Agricultural imagery is prevalent throughout Scripture, often used to illustrate spiritual truths. The process of sowing, growing, and harvesting is a common motif that reflects the principles of spiritual growth and the Kingdom of God. In John 15:5 , Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine and branches to describe the necessity of abiding in Him to bear fruit: "I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing."

Practical Application

The Parable of the Sower calls believers to examine the condition of their hearts and to cultivate a receptive and obedient spirit. It encourages the faithful to persevere in the face of trials and to remain vigilant against the distractions and temptations of the world. Moreover, it serves as a reminder of the importance of spreading the Gospel, trusting that God will bring forth a harvest in His time.

Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 13:3-8,19-23
And he spoke many things to them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
Nave's Topical Index

Luke 8:5-15
A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Blemished Offerings
... That drill does as well as, and better than, the hand of the sower scattering the
seed, but it does not do near as well in the Christian agriculture in sowing ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/blemished offerings.htm

A Revival Sermon
... Israel thrust in the ploughshare and began to use the divers arts of agriculture,
the land ... When the sower went forth to sow his seed, some of it fell on good ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/a revival sermon.htm

In the Fifteenth Year of Tiberius C??sar and under the Pontificate ...
... occupied and amused the idle multitude - for all manual labour, except agriculture,
was looked ... Such parables as those about the Sower, and about the Net (St. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xi in the fifteenth.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... of thirty, sixty, and a hundred fold in the parable of the sower, by (20 ... He had in
view the interests of agriculture, and wished to check the bad practice of ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
... objects? What of agriculture, of navigation, and of the other pursuits
of human life? how comes the sea to be a highway for man? ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm