Do the “seeds” we receive fall on good soil or rocky ground? Truth is, some people hear the Word of God but do not comprehend right away.
Others accept and then fall away. The parable of the four soils as told by Jesus in Mark 4:1-20 categorizes these different situations. And, we learn a valuable lesson here when we decide to talk to people about Christ.
Jesus spoke many times in parables. So, the disciples did not always understand the meaning.
This parable and Bible study lesson about the sower and the four soils in Mark shows the different ways in which people accept Christ.
And, it shows whether or not they will continue to follow Him.
Let’s examine these verses about good soil or rocky ground in Mark more closely.
Good Soil or Rocky Ground Tells the Parable of the Sower and Four Soils – Comprehending God’s Word
He began to teach again by the sea. And such a very large crowd gathered to Him that He got into a boat in the sea and sat down; and the whole crowd was by the sea on the land.
And He was teaching them many things in parables, and was saying to them in His teaching,
“Listen to this! Behold, the sower went out to sow; as he was sowing, some seed fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate it up.
Other seed fell on the rocky ground where it did not have much soil; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of soil.
And after the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
Other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it yielded no crop.
Other seeds fell into the good soil, and as they grew up and increased, they yielded a crop and produced thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.”
And He was saying, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How will you understand all the parables?
The sower sows the word.
These are the ones who are beside the road where the word is sown; and when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them.
In a similar way these are the ones on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy; and they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away.
And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
And those are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” – Mark 4:1-20 NASB
Why the “Farming” Analogy in the Four Soils Parable?
One school of thought: These parables were put in terms that farmers of the day could understand.
Although they knew and understood everything Jesus told them about sowing seeds, many did not grasp the true meaning of the parables.
Why do some comprehend God’s Word and others do not?
Simply, some people are not ready to receive His Word. With these people, patience becomes key.
Jesus said in Mark 4:6 ..
“And after the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.” NASB
So, take opportunities to tell them more about God’s Word without being overbearing.
Don’t draw the Bible like a gun. Be gentle. Pray that the Holy Spirit will work in their lives.
Among the Thorns of Life – Is The Word “Choked” From Our Lives by Other Matters?
Verse 19 talks about the security (and worry) we feel when we live prosperous lives. Remember, wealth and material things are temporary.
Only God is everlasting.
Good Soil or Rocky Ground – Who Is Christ Talking About?
Please study these verses again and again because Jesus is not just talking to just the 1st Christians. Yes, He is also talking to us! Is our seed on good soil or rocky ground? Perhaps you and I are more concerned with finances than sharing God’s Word. (my failing was exposed here.)
Let us open our hearts, listen for what God is saying to us, and be…
- a servant to our church
- a shining light of hope in our community, our country and the rest of the earth.
“Remember; He is with you always…”
Love in Christ
– Bob
If you would like to learn more about the love and life-changing experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to read John 3:16.