The term "Sower" is prominently featured in the New Testament, particularly in the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is most notably associated with the Parable of the Sower, which is recorded in the Synoptic Gospels: Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:4-15. This parable is a foundational teaching of Jesus, illustrating the varied responses to the message of the Kingdom of God.

Biblical Context and Meaning

In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus describes a sower who scatters seed across different types of ground. The seed represents the Word of God, and the various soils symbolize the hearts of those who hear the message. The parable is an allegory for the reception of the Gospel and the spiritual condition of individuals.

1. The Path: Some seed falls along the path and is quickly eaten by birds. This represents those who hear the word but do not understand it, and the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their hearts (Matthew 13:19).

2. Rocky Ground: Other seed falls on rocky ground, where it springs up quickly but withers because it lacks depth and moisture. This symbolizes those who receive the word with joy but fall away when trouble or persecution arises because they have no root (Matthew 13:20-21).

3. Thorns: Some seed falls among thorns, which grow up and choke the plants. This is indicative of those who hear the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful (Matthew 13:22).

4. Good Soil: Finally, some seed falls on good soil, producing a crop yielding thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times what was sown. This represents those who hear the word, understand it, and produce a fruitful harvest (Matthew 13:23).

Theological Significance

The Parable of the Sower is a profound teaching on the Kingdom of God and the human heart's receptivity to divine truth. It underscores the importance of understanding and internalizing the Word of God to produce spiritual fruit. The parable also highlights the obstacles that can hinder spiritual growth, such as superficial faith, worldly concerns, and materialism.

Interpretation and Application

From a conservative Christian perspective, the Parable of the Sower serves as a call to self-examination and spiritual readiness. Believers are encouraged to cultivate a heart that is receptive to God's Word, allowing it to take root and flourish. The parable also emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in illuminating the truth and enabling believers to overcome challenges to their faith.

Related Biblical Themes

The imagery of sowing and reaping is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, symbolizing the principles of spiritual investment and harvest. In Galatians 6:7-9 , Paul writes, "Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return." This principle reinforces the idea that the condition of one's heart and actions will ultimately determine the spiritual outcome.

Conclusion

The Sower, as depicted in Jesus' parable, is a timeless illustration of the Gospel's transformative power and the varied responses it elicits. It challenges believers to examine their own hearts and to strive for a fruitful relationship with God, grounded in understanding and obedience to His Word.(n.) One who, or that which, sows.SOWER; SOWING

so'-er, so'-ing.

See AGRICULTURE.

4687. speiro -- to sow (seed)
... Word Origin a prim. verb Definition to sow (seed) NASB Word Usage sow (13), sowed
(6), sower (5), sower sows (1), sowing (1), sown (17), sows (8). sow, scatter. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4687.htm - 8k

1290. diaspora -- a dispersion (Isr. in Gentile countries)
... diaspora Phonetic Spelling: (dee-as-por-ah') Short Definition: dispersion Definition:
lit: scattering abroad of seed by the sower, hence: dispersion, used ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1290.htm - 7k

2232. zara -- to sow, scatter seed
... sow, scatter seed NASB Word Usage conceive (1), gives birth (1), perpetuated (1),
plant seed (1), scatter (1), set (1), sow (28), sowed (2), sower (2), sowing ...
/hebrew/2232.htm - 6k

The Sower.
... I. THE SOWER. "The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea
side. And ... hear.... Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/i the sower.htm

The Sower.
... XLVII. THE SOWER. One of the Master's most wonderful parables begins, "BEHOLD, A
SOWER WENT FORTH TO sow." There are many lessons in that instructive analogy. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/xlvii the sower.htm

The Sower and the Seed.
... XII. THE SOWER AND THE SEED. "A sower went out to sow his seed.""Luke 8:5.
It is significant that the first of the Saviour's parables ...
//christianbookshelf.org/percival/sermons at rugby/xii the sower and the.htm

The Sower
... Strong Meat for Hungry Souls: The Gospel of St. Mark CHAPTER 4:3-9,
14-20 THE SOWER. "Hearken ... hear... "The sower soweth the word. ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 4 3-9 14-20 the sower.htm

The Sower and the Seed.
... PHILANTHROPIC SUBJECTS. 770. " The Sower and the Seed. 770. CM Mrs. Sigourney.
The Sower and the Seed. 1 All hail! ye servants of the Lord! ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/770 the sower and.htm

The Sower. Mt 13:03
... MATTHEW Hymn 85 The sower. Mt 13:3. William Cowper 8,6,8,6. The sower. Mt 13:3.
Ye sons of earth prepare the plow,. Break up your fallow ground! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 85 the sower mt.htm

The Sower Cont.
... Strong Meat for Hungry Souls: The Gospel of St. Mark CHAPTER 4:3-9,
14-20 THE SOWER cont. Now because the sense of sin and duty ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 4 3-9 14-20 the sower 2.htm

The Sower and his Sheaves.
... PHILANTHROPIC SUBJECTS. 771. " The Sower and his Sheaves. 771. 8s. &
7s. M. Hastings. The Sower and his Sheaves. 1 He, that ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/771 the sower and.htm

SM Montgomery. The Sower.
... 540. SM Montgomery. The Sower. 1 Sow in the morn thy seed, At eve hold not thy hand;
To doubt and fear give thou no heed, Broadcast it o'er the land! ...
/.../book of hymns for public and private devotion/540 s m montgomery the.htm

The Parable of the Sower. --Christ's Explanation of the Parable to ...
... GALILEE. Section 129. The Parable of the Sower. "Christ's Explanation of
the Parable to the smaller Circle of his Disciples. The ...
/.../section 129 the parable of.htm

Sower (11 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SOWER; SOWING. so'-er, so'-ing. See
AGRICULTURE. Multi-Version Concordance Sower (11 Occurrences). ...
/s/sower.htm - 9k

Reaper (7 Occurrences)
... John 4:36 The reaper gets pay and gathers in a crop in preparation for the Life
of the Ages, that so the sower and the reapers may rejoice together. ...
/r/reaper.htm - 8k

Sowing (28 Occurrences)
... (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Sow. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SOWER; SOWING. so'-er,
so'-ing. See AGRICULTURE. Multi-Version Concordance Sowing (28 Occurrences). ...
/s/sowing.htm - 14k

Goes (472 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:3 He then spoke many things to them in figurative language. "The sower
goes out," He said, "to sow. ... Mark 4:3 "Listen: the sower goes out to sow. ...
/g/goes.htm - 35k

Premillennial
... The Sower is Christ Himself. He began the good work; He opened the new era. ... (d) The
devil is also a sower. He is the foul counterfeiter of God 's work. ...
/p/premillennial.htm - 23k

Beauty (98 Occurrences)
... "The sower went forth to sow" (Matthew 13:3). That is a glad sight-always
has been and always will be. That is why a picture of ...
/b/beauty.htm - 45k

Millennium
... The Sower is Christ Himself. He began the good work; He opened the new era. ... (d) The
devil is also a sower. He is the foul counterfeiter of God 's work. ...
/m/millennium.htm - 24k

Agriculture
... fields which they traverse. (See FIELD.) If grain is to be planted, the
seed is scattered broadcast by the sower. If the land has ...
/a/agriculture.htm - 27k

Parable (52 Occurrences)
... book, namely, the See d Growing in Secret (Mark 4:26), and he gives only three others
that are found also in Matthew and Luke, namely the Sower, the Mustard ...
/p/parable.htm - 38k

Yield (78 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 9:10 And God who continually supplies seed for the sower and bread
for eating, will supply you with seed and multiply it, and will cause your ...
/y/yield.htm - 30k

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Sower? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Growing Seed (Mark 4:26-29)? | GotQuestions.org

What is seed faith? What is a seed faith offering? | GotQuestions.org

Sower: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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