The explanation of the parable of sowing seeds

Matthew 13:18-23

¹⁸"Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: ¹⁹When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. ²⁰The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. ²¹But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. ²²The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. ²³But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

13:18 「所以，你們要明白這撒種比喻的意思。13:19 那聽了天國的信息卻不明白的人正像撒在路旁的種子，那邪惡者來到，把撒在他心田裏的信息都奪走了。13:20 那撒在石地上的種子是指人聽了信息，立刻樂意接受，13:21 只是扎根不深，不能持久，一旦為了信息而遭遇患難或迫害，立刻放棄。13:22 那撒在荊棘中的種子是指人聽了信息以後，生活的憂慮和財富的誘惑窒息了信息的生機，無法結出果實。13:23 那撒在好土壤裏的種子是指人聽了信息，並且領悟了；他結出果實，收成有一百倍的，有六十倍的，有三十倍的。」

一、中心內容：

內容：
1>解釋「種子撒在路旁」的意義。（v19）Verse 19 explains the meaning of the seed fallen along the path.
2>解釋「種子撒在石地」的意義。（v20-21）Verses 20-21 explains the meaning of the seed fallen in the rocky places.
3>解釋「種子撒在荊棘」的意義。（v22）Verse 22 explains the meaning of the seed fallen among the thorns.
4>解釋「種子撒在好土」的意義。（v22）Verse 22 explains the meaning of the seed fallen on good soil.

主題：
1>解釋撒種的比喻。 The explanation of the parable of sowing seeds
2>結實一百倍、六十倍、三十倍。A crop yielding 30, 60 and 100 times of what was sown.

二、上帝、耶穌基督、聖靈是誰？

01>傳揚天國信息的耶穌基督。Jesus Christ proclaimed the message of the heavenly kingdom.
02>解釋比喻意義的耶穌基督。Jesus Christ explained the meaning of His parables.

三、給我的教訓（命令、應允、榜樣、責備、警告）是什麼？

1>防備惡者來搶奪 Be on guard against the evil one who robs
那聽了天國的信息卻不明白的人，正像撒在路旁的種子，那邪惡者來到，把撒在他心田裏的信息都奪走了。（v19）
我 們都知道，聖靈會興起工作，撒旦同樣會積極工作。尤其撒旦總是作破壞性的工作，就是專門破壞人跟上帝之間的關係。所以當上帝真理、生命的道，落在人的心田 之後，撒旦就虎視眈眈的企圖破壞，甚至企圖搶奪，以免人因遵行上帝的道，而蒙恩得救。因此，我們應該警戒、應該防備，不讓撒旦有可乘之機。

See verse 19. While the Holy Spirit works, Satan works too. Its work is destructive; it destroys the relationship between God and human beings. Satan is lurking around attempting to destroy and to rob us of the truth and God’s word once it enters our heart. Satan wants to deter us from obeying God’s word and being saved by God’s grace. Therefore, we should stay alert and be vigilant to not give Satan any chance.
反省：當我讀聖經時，真正能夠明白嗎？當我聽講道時，真正能夠專注嗎？我真能明白嗎？還是過目（過耳）即忘？我是否曾經為了讀聖經能明白，聽講道能專注而禱告？
Reflection: Do I have true understanding of the Bible when I read it? Do I devotedly listen to the sermons? Do I really understand them? Do I forget about it right after listening to it? Have I ever prayed that I could understand the Bible and to stay focused while listening to the sermon?
2>扎根立基的信仰 A rooted faith
那撒在石地上的種子是指人聽了信息，立刻樂意接受，只是扎根不深，不能持久，一旦為了信息而遭遇患難或迫害，立刻放棄。（v20-21）
信而受洗非常重要，這當然毫無疑義。但是就一般基督徒來說，只有信跟受洗，其實還是不夠。應該進一步追求，甚至接受裝備，讓屬靈生命逐漸成長，以期邁向成熟。
例如：藉著讀聖經、禱告等靈修生活、參加聚會、過團契生活、閱讀屬靈書籍、接受裝備訓練、參加主日禮拜---等。
經過上述操練之後，信仰才能扎根，根基才能穩固。如此，不管遭遇任何患難或迫害，才不會動搖，甚至離棄真道。

See verses 20 and 21.

It is needless to doubt the importance of faith which results in baptism. It is not good enough for Christians to do just that. Christians should do more to make progress, to equip themselves and to make their spiritual life grow into maturity. It is to read the Bible, to pray, to meet together as a church, to fellowship with other believers, to read books of spirituality, to train and equip, to attend the Sunday services… etc.

反省：我的信仰狀況如何？是否有進深的追求與裝備？我的信仰根基穩固嗎？當迫害或患難來臨時，是否經得起考驗？

Reflection: How is my faith life? Do I pursue faith in depth and am I equipped? Is the foundation of my faith firm? Will it endure and stand the tests of persecution and tribulation?

3>防備世事的纏累 Preventing oneself from being entangled by worldly things
那撒在荊棘中的種子，是指人聽了信息以後，生活的憂慮和財富的誘惑窒息了信息的生機，無法結出果實。（v22）
生活上的憂慮，以及來自財富的誘惑，對現代人的影響非常大，就像荊棘窒息了正在生長的幼苗一樣，會擠壓、扭曲上帝的道，在人心中的成長。所以，我們不得不防備。
馬太福音五章八節，主耶穌也曾經說過：清心的人有福了，因為他們必得見上帝。所以，我們也要學習放空、學習安靜、保持清心，不要一直被憂慮和財富綑綁住。能夠這樣的話，上帝的道才不至於遭擠壓，才能在我們心中生長、結實。

See verse 22.

Worries of daily life and temptations of wealth greatly impact people of modern days; like thorns suffocate the growth of young shoots, they block and impede God’s word to grow in people’s heart. Thus, we need to stay alert.

In Matthew 5:8, Jesus said, “⁸Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Therefore, we need to empty ourselves and learn to be silent and keep a pure heart lest we get entangled by worries and wealth. God’s word will then grow and yield fruit in our hearts without being obstructed.
反省：我的心中是否有空間，讓上帝的道扎根、生長？還是都被世上的金錢憂慮困住？
Reflection: Is there any room for God’s word to take root and grow in my heart? Is my heart entangled by worldly wealth?
4>栽培優質好土壤 Cultivate good quality soil
那撒在好土壤裏的種子是指人聽了信息，並且領悟了；他結出果實，收成有一百倍的，有六十倍的，有三十倍的。（v23）
在 這個比喻當中，特別值得我們注意的一點，就是：對上帝的道是否能夠明白。根據第十九節的記載，如果聽了還不明白，就像撒在路旁的種子，那邪惡者來到，把撒 在他心田裏的信息都奪走了。但是，根據第廿三節的記載，如果聽了能夠明白，他結出果實，收成有一百倍的，有六十倍的，有三十倍的。
因此，聽了上帝的道之後，是否明白（領悟、瞭解、understand）是一個關鍵。所以，當我們讀聖經，或是聽講道的時候，不應一知半解，應該徹底瞭解，明白上帝的心意。

See verse 23.

We should take note and ask ourselves, do we really understand God’s word? If we listen and do not understand, we will end up like what verse 19 says. If we listen and understand, we will produce a crop yielding 30, 60 and 100 times of what is sown.

To understand God’s word after hearing it is crucial. We ought to seek the full understanding of God’s will when we read the Bible or listen to the sermons.

反省：當我讀聖經或聽講道的時候，大多數是一知半解呢？還是真正明白上帝的旨意？真正聽見上帝對我個人說話的聲音？我的心田如何？是否結出一百倍、六十倍、三十倍的果子，讓主來收成？讓主的心得滿足？讓主的名得榮耀？
Reflection: Do I get half or full understanding of God’s will when I read the Bible or listen to the sermons? Do I hear God’s voice speaking to me? How does my heart receive it? Is there a crop yielding 30, 60 and 100 times of what is sown? Is the harvest for and to the satisfaction and glory of the Lord?
四、我的禱告 / 實際應用