The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven: The Parable of the Sower

The Setting: Seed in good ground

Natural family outside (Mt 12:46-47)

His own people - Israel - unbelieving, outside of the
kingdom (Jn 1:11)
Disciples inside (Mt 12:48-50)
His disciples - believers, inside the kingdom (Mt 5:3-
9)
Jesus went out of the house (Mt 13:1)
The setting aside of Israel at the beginning of the
church age (Rom 11:15, 25)
Jesus sat by the sea; got in boat and sat (Mt 13:1-2)
The gospel going out to the ends of the earth -
Gentiles (Acts 1:8)
The Parable:

Sower
The Son of Man (Mt 13:37)
Seed
Word of the Kingdom - gospel (Mt 13:19)
Seed by the wayside
Categorical rejection of Word - eg religious rulers
(Jn 8:13-59)
Seed on stony places
Initial enthusiasm, but heart hardened against Word -
eg multitudes (Mt 7:28-29, 9:8, 12:23)
Seed among thorns
Heart consumed by world - eg earthly-minded Jews
(Mt 6:19-34)
 The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven: The Parable of the Sower
Receptive heart - disciples (Mt 13:16)