The first parable is an introduction to those that follow, and the last one is a conclusion and application of the whole series.528
13:3b-7 The focus in the first parable is on the soils rather than on the sower. Some seeds fell beside the path that was hard from traffic (v. 4). They lay on the surface where birds saw them and devoured them before they could germinate. Other seeds fell where the topsoil was thin (vv. 5-6). Their roots could not penetrate the limestone underneath to obtain necessary moisture from the subsoil. When the hot weather set in, the seeds germinated quickly but did not have the necessary resources to sustain continued growth. Consequently they died. A third group of seeds fell among the thorns that grew along the edges of the field (v. 7). These thorn bushes robbed the young plants of light and nourishment, so they died too.
13:8-9 Some seed also fell on good ground and produced a crop that was somewhat productive. Even a hundred-fold return was not outstanding.529The same sower and seed produced no crop, some crop, or much crop depending on the soil.
"This fourth soil cautions us not to expect identical levels of fruitfulness in all people, since believers grow spiritually at different rates."530
Jesus' final statement means the parable needs careful consideration and interpretation (v. 9). Jesus interpreted it to His disciples in verses 18-23.531
