Parable of the Sower: Theology + Teaching

Question 1

The meanings of the hidden message, since this message hides the teaching.

Answer 1

ALLEGORICAL INTERPRETATIONS:

• The seed is representative of the Word of God, and throughout the parable different things happen to the seed, and this is the listeners response.
• e.g. Seed on rocky ground that cannot grow deep roots & is scorched by the sun & dies, is showing how the listener’s enthusiasm is killed off by the persecution and other troubles.
• The seed on thorny grounds is chocked by the weeds: is showing how the listeners response is stifled by materialism & worldly concerns.
• The seed on fertile ground produces a bumper harvest - this shows the listener has a positive response, in belief and action. It represents people who not only hear the word, but also understand it & keep it in their minds.

Question 2

Why did Jesus teach in allegorical style?

Mark & Matthew?

Answer 2

• J taught in allegorical style to make particular point & for listeners to learn about what the Kingdom of God is like. ‘He who has ears let them hear.’
• Some are ‘tuned in’ to the Kingdom & will understand parables (even if has to be explained to them), but others are so stubborn that not even parables will help them.
• Parables almost identical in Mt & Mk, both parables dress how people receive the WoG. They both wanted to show ultimate message of ‘all should seek to hear & understand’
• Mk = more exclusive as he uses singular rather than plural nouns, & is more intimidating with language he uses.
• Mt = uses plural nouns & shows more authority in the parable.
• This means parables could be seen as warning to some, but assurance for others.
• Main message: YOU SHOULD SEEK TO BE GOOD SOIL.

Question 3

More teachings in parable:

Answer 3

The parable teaches us about how the Kingdom of God is for those who have listened and taken on board the message, sought to hear and understand. God gives his message to everyone, for example the seed is broadcasted to the entire field including the ‘bad’ and ‘good’ soil, like he gives his message to everyone.

The message of the parable is almost based on the diversity of people. As the gospel is preached, some have no understanding, and ignore the message and let material, worldly problems get in the way. Others may also claim Christianity, but the Word of God cannot grow and bear fruit in them because of their worldliness. And then there are those who will listen to the message and joyously receive it, put their minds to it and understand it.

Question 4

Why did Jesus teach in parables?

Answer 4

• Most of the listeners were from the countryside and had an agricultural background, so were surrounded by the sights and sounds of faming.
• They saw many seeds being sown, crops beginning to grow, ripen, and then finally harvest.
• Therefore Jesus taught in parables using the language from farming to help listeners understand what he was sayings and make it more relatable.
• He also may have used this to make it easier for the listeners to understand the allegorical meaning behind this parable. Being able to engage with the teaching made them better listeners and disciples and gave them a clearer view of what Jesus was trying to portray.

Question 5

How the structure of parable helps us understand teaching behind it:

Answer 5

There are 3 parts to the parable. The first part it the parable itself, the second is the question and the third is the explanation.

• The explanation was thought to be added in by the early church as it makes it more inclusive. The evidence of the addition is that some of the words in these verses are different from the ones Jesus usually uses, for instance as Jesus does not talk about ‘God’s message’ in this way anywhere else.
• Also a parable usually only has one point, but this one is open to interpretation, as some say there is a double meaning. There is confusion about whether the seed is God’s message or those who hear it. Therefore the early church may have added in an explanation because would anyone listening to Jesus telling this story have been able to understand the meanings all at once? However this brings up a question of what the meaning was before the early church added the explanation.
• The basic message of the story is clear. Jesus is saying that the Kingdom of God will come, despite all the difficulty’s ahead. God is like a farmer sowing a seed and he scatters it everywhere. Some falls on good soil. Some falls on stony grown and some is choked by weeks. But he knows the harvest would come.