What does Matthew 13:18-23 mean?

¹⁸ Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. ¹⁹ When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.²⁰ But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

²¹ Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. ²² He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. ²³ But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (Matthew 13:18-23 KJV)

The Parable of the Sower Explained

We only truly hear the Word when we understand it. Without understanding, hearing is meaningless (Nehemiah 8:2). God’s grace gives understanding, but we must also focus our minds and hearts on understanding it. Here, Jesus explains the parable of the sower. Let us compare the parable and the explanation.

(1.) The seed is the Word of God, called here “the word of the kingdom” (Matthew 13:19). Compared to it, the kingdoms of the world are nothing. The gospel comes from and leads to God’s kingdom; it is the King’s word, full of authority. It may look small and insignificant like a dry seed, but it carries within it all the fruit it will eventually produce. It is an incorruptible seed (1 Peter 1:23), and it brings forth fruit in souls (Colossians 1:5-6).

(2.) The sower is our Lord Jesus Christ, either directly or through His ministers (Matthew 13:37). The people are God’s field, and ministers are co-workers with God (1 Corinthians 3:9). Preaching is like scattering seed—we don’t know where it will take root, but we must be sure the seed is good and plentiful. The sowing of the Word is sowing people for God’s harvest (Isaiah 21:10).

(3.) The soil is the hearts of people, which vary in how they receive the Word. The success of the Word depends on the condition of the heart. Like soil, the heart can be improved and made fruitful, but too often, it’s neglected. The soul is the proper place for God’s Word to live, work, and rule—it must operate on the conscience, lighting the inner lamp. As with soil, some hearts, despite great care and good seed, produce nothing. Others bear much fruit.

The four types of soil represent four kinds of hearts—three unfruitful and one fruitful. This parable gives us a sobering picture: even among those who hear the gospel from Christ Himself, few bring fruit to full maturity. Many are called, but few show evidence of God’s choosing grace (Matthew 20:16). Now observe the characteristics of the four types of soil.

[1.] The path (Matthew 13:4, 19).
In ancient fields, there were footpaths where the seed couldn’t take root and birds would eat it. The location where Jesus spoke—the sandy shore—was like this type of ground.

First, these hearers don’t understand the Word—and it’s their own fault. They don’t pay attention or take it to heart. Like a path that was never meant to be sown, they attend out of habit or appearance but not with any intention to gain from it. The Word goes in one ear and out the other.

Second, the devil comes and steals the Word. These careless hearers are easy prey for him. As birds steal uncovered seed, so the enemy steals the Word when we don’t prepare our hearts or meditate on what we’ve heard. If we don’t engage with the Word, Satan will rob us of its benefits. Careless hearers help his cause when their thoughts wander during the sermon.

[2.] The rocky ground (Matthew 13:5–6, 20–21).
These hearers go further than the first. They feel good about the Word—but the change doesn’t last. It’s possible to appear better than others and yet still fall short of heaven.

First, consider how far they go:

1. They listen—they don’t reject the Word, but simply hearing is not enough.
2. They are eager and enthusiastic—they quickly accept the message. The seed sprouts fast, even faster than in good soil. People with rocky hearts often look more spiritual at first than genuine believers. But they accept the Word too quickly, without testing or reflecting on it. What’s taken up without consideration is often let go of without regret.
3. They receive it with joy. Many enjoy a good sermon but are not changed by it. They may feel moved, but they don’t surrender to it. Some even taste the goodness of God’s Word (Hebrews 6:5) but keep sin close and end up spitting the Word out.
4. They endure only for a short time, like something in motion that soon loses momentum. They begin well but fall away. They ran the race, but something tripped them up (Galatians 5:7).

Second, consider why they fall away:

1. They have no root—no firm convictions, no deep change in the heart. The appearance of faith is only on the surface. There is no union with Christ, no spiritual strength to sustain them.
2. When trials come, they abandon their faith. Persecution becomes a stumbling block. Instead of pressing on, they fall away. After the sunshine of opportunity, the storm of trial tests whether the Word was truly received. Those without deep roots quickly give up. They complain first, then quit. The cross becomes offensive to them (Galatians 5:11). The same heat that helps well-rooted plants grow burns up shallow ones. For some, trials bring ruin; for others, eternal glory (Philippians 1:12).

[3.] The thorny ground (Matthew 13:7, 22).
This soil goes further than the rocky ground—it has roots, but the fruit is choked. These are people who maintain a profession of faith, but the fruit is slowly smothered by worldly distractions. Prosperity can ruin the soul as much as persecution—and in a more subtle way. The stones kill the roots; the thorns kill the fruit.

The thorns are: First, the cares of this world. Worrying about earthly things distracts and consumes energy meant for spiritual growth. These worries are like thorns: troubling, entangling, and ultimately destined to be burned (Hebrews 6:8). They crowd out time, thought, and desire for God’s Word. They take up emotional space, kill spiritual desire, and cause people to miss what matters most.

Second, the deceitfulness of riches. Those who have gained wealth might feel secure but are still in danger. Riches deceive people when they put their hope in them. It’s not wealth itself but the illusion of security and satisfaction it offers that chokes spiritual life.

[4.] The good soil (Matthew 13:23).
Some seed falls on good ground—and when it does, it thrives. These are those who truly hear the Word. Though many receive God’s grace in vain, God still has a faithful remnant who respond rightly. His Word will not return empty (Isaiah 55:10–11).

What distinguishes good soil? One word: fruitfulness. This is what marks true Christians—the fruit of righteousness (John 15:8). The soil isn’t perfect; there may still be some rocks or weeds, but they don’t dominate or stop the growth. Believers are not sinless, but sin doesn’t rule over them.

These hearers are: First, thoughtful. They hear and understand the Word—not just intellectually, but personally. They grasp its meaning and its application. God speaks to the mind to reach the will and heart.

Second, fruitful. They live out the Word. Their hearts and lives reflect what they’ve learned. They don’t just hear it—they practice it. Third, not all trees bear the same amount of fruit. Some produce a hundredfold, others sixty, others thirty. Among faithful Christians, there are differences in maturity and output. Some are more advanced in knowledge and holiness than others. We should all aim to bear a hundredfold (Genesis 26:12), but if the fruit is real and the heart is sincere, then the work is genuine.