We now approach the consideration of this initial parable.  Initial not

only because it is the first in order of utterance, but because its

interpretation supplies a model for the interpretation of all parables, `Know

ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?' (Mark 4:13).

John tells us that although he has recorded eight `signs' to support

the particular purpose of his gospel (John 20:31), yet the number actually

wrought by the Lord far exceeded this, so much so that `if they should be

written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the

books that should be written' (John 21:25).  What is true concerning the

Lord's works is also true concerning His words; each Gospel narrative gives a

divinely inspired selection of his wonderful teaching.  If this is so, what

importance must be placed upon that miracle, parable or discourse which is

repeated twice or even thrice! The parable of the Sower occurs in the three

Synoptic Gospels (Matt. 13:1 -9; Mark 4:1 -9; Luke 8:4 -8).  In each record

we read of the four sowings, on four kinds of ground.

One of the differences between Matthew's account and that of Mark is

that Matthew speaks always in the plural, `they', `them', whereas Mark speaks

of the seed in the singular, `it'.  Luke adds the words, `and it was trodden

down', in the first sowing, and omits the reference to `no depth of earth'

and the effect of the sun, telling us that it withered because it lacked

moisture.  The addition of the words, `with it', in Luke's account of the

thorns is also suggestive.

Parallel with this teaching of the Sower is the witness of the same

truth in the parable of the Fig Tree (Luke 13) and the Great Supper (Luke

14).  The primary teaching of these parables is not merely to supply a moral

or spiritual lesson, but to depict the secret course of the mysteries of the

kingdom on through its apparent defeat at the rejection of the King, to its

glorious close.

It will not be possible to analyse all the parables in this fashion,

the interested reader is referred to the book by the Author, entitled,

Parable, Miracle and Sign.

We sum up the remaining parables for the guidance of the student thus:

The ministries of John the Baptist, the Lord Jesus, and the apostles

during the `Acts' were to a large extent, externally, failures, but there is

yet to be a gloriously fruitful sowing when the time comes for the New

Covenant to be put into operation (Jer. 31:27).

The reason for the delay in the setting up of the kingdom is discovered

in the fact that an enemy is at work, and side by side with the true children

of the kingdom are the children of the wicked one, but these are not removed

until the end of the age (see articles Seed4 and Giants2).

The next reason for the delay is that whereas the small seed of Israel

should have flourished and filled the earth with fruit, the sovereignty

changed hands and was deposited with the Gentiles, beginning with