LHIM Classes

7. The Kingdom in Parables

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The Parable of the Sower (4:1-20)

A sower sows seed on four types of ground:

  • The Path — the seed doesn’t have time to sprout before birds come and eat it
  • Rocky Ground — the seed sprouts quickly, but then soon withers
  • Thorns — the seed sprouts and grows, but is then choked by surrounding weeds
  • Good Ground — the seed grows, flourishes, and produces an abundant crop

    • Jesus interprets the parable for his disciples. Each type of soil represents a different condition of the human heart and how people respond to hearing the message of the Kingdom.

    1. Beside the Path (Hard Ground)
      • Represents: People who hear the message, but don’t understand it.
      • Outcome: The enemy (Satan) quickly snatches away what was sown before it can take root.
        1. On Rocky Ground (Shallow Ground)
          • Represents: People who hear the message and receive it with joy, but have no deep root.
          • Outcome: Their faith is superficial; when troubles or persecution come because of the message, they quickly fall away.
            1. Among Thorns (Weedy Ground)
              • Represents: People who hear the message, but the worries of life, the deceitfulness of riches, and desires for other things choke it.
              • Outcome: Their faith becomes unfruitful — they don’t grow or produce lasting spiritual results.
                1. On Good Soil (Cultivated Ground)
                  • Represents: People who hear the message, understand it, accept it, and hold on to it with a steadfast heart.
                  • Outcome: They bear fruit — some thirty, sixty, or even a hundredfold.

                    • Theological Significance:

                    • People’s hearts vary in receptivity to the message of God’s kingdom.
                    • Fruitfulness (spiritual growth) depends on the condition of a person’s heart.
                    • A person’s heart can change by becoming more or less receptive (i.e., fertile)
                    • External signs of growth don’t necessarily correlate with real, inner spiritual growth.
                      • The Parable of the Lamp (4:21-25)

                      A lamp is not meant to be hidden under a basket or bed but put on a stand to give light. Jesus adds that hidden things will be revealed, and that how people respond will determine how much more they receive.

                      Theological Significance:

                      • God’s message about the kingdom is meant to be revealed, not hidden.
                      • Faithfulness in responding to God’s revelation leads to receiving even more understanding and blessing.
                      • Spiritual responsibility: those who hear must respond rightly, or else they will lose even what they have.
                        • The Parable of the Growing Seed (4:26-29)

                        A person scatters seed on the ground. The seed grows by itself—the sower doesn’t know how. Eventually, it ripens and is harvested.

                        Theological Significance:

                        • The Kingdom of God grows by God’s power, not human effort.
                        • Spiritual growth is often mysterious and gradual.
                        • God will bring His work to completion (harvest) in His time.
                          • The Parable of the Mustard Seed (4:30-32)

                          The mustard seed is tiny when first planted, but then it eventually grows into a large tree-like plant, big enough for birds to build nests in its shade.

                          Theological Significance:

                          • The Kingdom of God starts small but grows into something massive and sheltering.
                          • God’s work often looks insignificant at first but becomes greater than expected.
                          • Things that may appear insignificant can have very powerful results in God’s plan.
                            • Jesus’ Purpose for Parables (4:33-34)

                            Mark closes the section noting that Jesus spoke many parables like these, as much as people could understand. But he explained everything privately to his disciples.

                            Jesus used parables both to reveal and conceal truth so as to invite those who desire to seek truth would find deeper understanding, and to hide truth from the hard-hearted and uncaring.

                            Private instruction for disciples highlights the importance of relational, ongoing learning in Christian growth. It also reveals that for those following Jesus, they gained understanding about the kingdom and God’s plan.

                            Conclusion

                            Taken together, these parables show that the Kingdom of God:

                            • Spreads through speaking/preaching the message of the kingdom
                            • Receptivity depends on the heart of each individual
                            • It grows mysteriously and powerfully
                            • Although it might seem to start out small, it will, in the end, become a vast enterprise
                            • Require those who hear to truly listen, discern, and then respond accordingly
                              • The post 7. The Kingdom in Parables first appeared on Living Hope.
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                              LHIM ClassesBy Living Hope International Ministries
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