13:3 parables. This is the first mention of “parables” in the New Testament. This parable of the sower is preeminently important among all of Jesus’ parables. In the parallel account in Mark, He made this clear: “Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?” (Mark 4:13).

13:4 seeds. The “seeds” which are being sown are the word of God (Luke 8:11), and the “field” in which they are to be sown is the whole world (Matthew 13:38).

13:4 way side. The parallel account in Luke says these seeds on the wayside were “trodden down” (Luke 8:5).

13:4 fowls. These birds of the air, eating up the seed before it can take root, represent the minions of “the wicked one” (Matthew 13:19), whether evil spirits or ungodly men, who do all they can to destroy the message of God’s Word.

13:5 no deepness of earth. Luke 8:6 says also that this stony ground “lacked moisture.” The sown seed, which is the Word of God, must also be watered by the Word (I Corinthians 3:6).

13:6 no root. Although the sower was right to scatter seed everywhere, it would have been more effective if he had first removed the stones (i.e., intellectual or other stumbling-stones inhibiting faith in the Word), then also watered the ground. Without this preparation, even though the seed sprang up “forthwith,” it did not last. It is sadly true that “instant conversions” more often than not are superficial and fade away in the heat of persecution, or even mere intellectual peer pressure.