IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

The Parable of the Sower Explained

Date: May. 22, 2026

Passage

Matthew 13:18-23

The Parable of the Sower Explained

18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

Daily Bread

Key Verse: Matthew 13:23

As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

When a person hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand, the evil one comes and snatches it away. This is the path-like heart. Rocky ground is a person who hears the words and receives it with joy. But he has no roots, so he falls away when there is hardship because of the words of God. For the thorns, it is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word. For the good soil, it is the one who hears the word and understands it. He bears fruit a hundred, sixty and thirty times what was sown.

What does it mean to hear the word and understand it? It is Jesus who gives us understanding of his words. Jesus opens our eyes and ears and enables us to receive his word. When his word is planted in the good soil of our hearts, he also makes the word grow (1 Cor 3:6-7) so that we are fruitful (Jn 15:5).

Prayer: Lord Jesus, please help us so that we may hear your word and understand it.

One Word: Hear the word and understand it

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Daily Bread

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure

Matthew 13:44-58

Key Verse: 13:44

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

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