Jesus' Parable of the Sower

Matthew 13:3-9
3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
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.
7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Matthew 13:18-23
18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
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.
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 Y et 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.
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.
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.

Mark 4:3-9
3 Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:
4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.
5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:
6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.
9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Luke 8:5-8
5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

In the days of Jesus, what was the name for the Bible?
"Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?" Matthew 21:42.

What other Biblical name is given to this important book?

"And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it." Luke 8:21.

How were the Scriptures given to mankind?

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." 2 Timothy 3:16.

By whom were the prophets of old guided as they thus spake for God?

"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God
spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21.

What specific example of this is mentioned by Peter?

"Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus." Acts 1:16.

Who was it, then, who spoke through these men?
"God, who at sundry times and divers manners spake in past unto the fathers by the
prophets." Hebrews 1:1.

For what purpose were the Holy Scriptures written?

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." Romans 15:4.

What are the four ways in which Scripture can help us?

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." 2 Timothy 3:16.

What was God's plan in thus giving the Bible to us?

"That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2
Timothy 3:17.

How does God intend that His Word shall help us in this dark world of sin and death?

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm
119:105.

What were the three divisions of Scripture in the days of Christ?

"And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me." Luke 24:44.

Upon what evidence did Jesus base the fact of His Messiahship?
"And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto
them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself." Luke 24:27.

What is one of the names of God in the Bible?

"He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he." Deuteronomy 32:4.

What, therefore, must be the character of His Holy Word?

"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." John 17:17.

To what extent has God magnified His Word?

"I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." Psalms 138:2.

What value did Job place upon the words of God?
"Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words
of his mouth more than my necessary food." Job 23:12.

How firm was the prophet Isaiah's faith in God's Word?
"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for
ever." Isaiah 40:8.