Matthew 13:11,16;18 – 23 (NLT)

11 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not.

16 “But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.

• Mark 4:13 (NLT) 13 Then Jesus said to them, “If you can’t understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables?
  • The Parable of the Sower is foundational because it explains how people receive and respond to God’s Word.
  • This means we must “Listen up! Pay close attention!” Jesus’ simple request is that we use our God-given faculties (eyes to see, ears to hear) to tune in to His words and obey them.
    

18 “Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds:

19 The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts.

20 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy.

21 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.

22 The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.

23 The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

Vocabulary List:

Parable = Gk. parabolē (“to throw alongside”) A short narrative that uses everyday events or situations to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. An illustration that places one thing beside another for the purpose of teaching and comparison so that we may learn.

Sower = Believers of Jesus who share the gospel.

Seeds = The Word of God.

Soil = The hearts of mankind who hear the Word. Their response determines the type heart they have.

Hear = This means to listen deeply, discern spiritually and apply God’s truth personally. (Isaiah 6:9-10)

Mysteries = Secrets, we can define a mystery in the Bible as “[something] that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people.” In other words, a mystery is a truth hidden in the Old Testament but revealed in the New.

Kingdom of Heaven = Kingdom of God = Jesus taught that the Kingdom of Heaven is God’s active rule in the world and in our lives. It’s spiritual, not political — it transforms hearts, not governments. Already here, but not yet fully realized. Accessible to all, especially the humble, repentant, and faithful.

Luke 17:20 – 21 (KJV) 20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Colossians 1:26 – 27 (KJV) 26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

• Present: It begins now in the hearts of believers who live under God’s rule.
  
• Future: It will be fully realized when Christ returns and restores all things.
  

Monday Morning Moment: “Then Jesus said to them, “If you can’t understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables?” Mark 4:13 (NLT)