A Parallel on the Parable of the Sower

In Matthew 13 Jesus teaches the parable of the sower. Although later in the same chapter Jesus interprets the meaning of the parable to His disciples, the context of the parable can be applied in many other ways. While dealing with this topic recently, I recalled a parallel context to the sower parable that I haven't thought about for a long time and I thought it would be worthwhile to share this in a post. 

In the actual interpretation, Jesus refers to the seed as the Word of God, the Kingdom gospel. The different soils are the hearts, attitudes, and responses, of people who hear and receive the Word.

In the parallel interpretation, one should understand the context of this parable as the kingdom gospel applied to Israel and not to the hearts of individual persons. Let's have a look at it from this perspective.

Way side

Parable: 4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 

Interpretation: 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.

Parallel: The seeds that fell along the way side represents the kingdom gospel introduced to Israel by John the Baptist. The heart of Israel had hardened under the heavy boot of Rome. There had not been a prophet in Israel for 400 years, so although there was a minority of Jews who responded to John's call, the majority of the seed being sown was wasted, not being able to germinate in the hardened and unprepared soil.

Stony Places

Parable: 5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 

Interpretation: 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.

Parallel: The seeds that was sown into the rocky soil can represent the kingdom message preached by Jesus Christ. There was a much better response and following of Jesus and those that heard His word received it with joy. However, with the trial and crucifixion of Jesus, the seeds which had taken root in the shallow soil withered away quickly under the tribulation and persecution that came from His death.

Thorns

Parable: 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: 

Interpretation: 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.

Parallel: The seeds of the kingdom message that fell between the thorns were sown by the apostles in the first century Jewish church (in the early part of the book of Acts). Those who received the message responded in faith and sold all they had to share it amongst the church, but the majority of Israel was likened to a field of thorns. These are the ones who had no faith in the coming kingdom and preferred to enjoy the temporary luxuries and that which the world could offer at that time. There was no attraction to the message of the kingdom and the sacrifices that needed to be made in order to enter into it.

Good Ground

Parable: 8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

Interpretation: 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.

Parallel: The seeds that fell in the good soil represents Israel in the Millennial Kingdom and under the New Covenant. These are the ones who have the Spirit of the Law written upon their hearts and who produce an abundance of good fruit in varying degrees under the reign of their Messiah and King, Jesus Christ.