I have combined the parable and the interpretation by Jesus to show how that the parables have not only a practical, but also a spiritual application. Jesus gave parables to those around Him that had both, a practical application they could immediately relate to and showed them the spiritual application as well. It is important to use this approach on all scriptures that can be broken down in this manner to gain the most spiritual meanings available. Not all scriptures can be analyzed in this manner but the best are the parables, stories, and examples that are given. A word of caution is to never spiritualize something that should not be. As said in the beginning of this study, there MUST be scriptural backing for any spiritualization made.

Matthew 13: 3-9 & 18-23

3: And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

18: Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

4: And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

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.

Sower? Wicked one? Way-Side? Was the seed sown and what does that mean?

The sower is the one spreading the Gospel or witnessing; the wicked one is obviously satan or his helpers; Jesus explains the 'way side' as one that does not really understand what they have done or just received. This shows the extreme importance of discipleship among believers so that no one is left on the "way side." After salvation we must disciple believers and guide them to maturity. This also shows that if a person does not cultivate that seed that it can be taken away.

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.

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: Yet 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.

Key Phrase "no root in himself"

Another example of a person that has not been mentored/discipled. A lot of Christians only have root in themselves and not in the "Vinedresser." Some rely on their own knowledge and believe that knowledge will save them, they are deceiving themselves. Some cannot handle the peer pressure or any kind of opposition because of their belief and therefore will fall.

7: And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

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.

Was this person fruitful at one time?

There are many things in the world today that come between us and our relationship with God. It could be money, job, drugs, alcohol, or any other vice that we allow to consume us. It is apparent that this person was fruitful at one time, indicating that there was sincerity at the beginning. Christians get lazy and allow things to take their time away from Bible study and praying and soon become unfruitful.

8: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

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.

Different levels of bearing fruit?

There are different levels of Christians but even back in Jesus' day He expressed the importance of discipleship among Christians to avoid the situations mentioned above.