Your question, What is the meaning of the Parable of the Sower?
The Parable of the Sower illustrates that there are four distinct ways in which the gospel can be received by those who hear it.
Always remember these words spoken by Christ, “many are called by the word, but only a few are chosen.”
In this parable, you’ll hear the interpretation that Jesus gives unto us.
“And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? And he said, Unto you it is to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.”
Then Jesus went on to explain the parable to them.
Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then comes the devil, and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
By the Lord’s own words the first hearers never receive salvation.
They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
In another gospel it is explained this way.
Matthew 13:20 “But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 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.
Mark 4:16 “And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately
receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.”
By these three writings we see those that receive the word on Stoney ground endure for a while but in times of temptation or persecution they became offended of Christ.
What did Jesus say those that become offended for the word sake? (See comment for the rest)
