Talk:Parable of the Sower

What is the sensus plenior of The parable of the sower? Ask Question Asked today Active today Viewed 14 times 0

Is there a "deeper meaning" (beyond allegorical interpretations)--that is a sensus plenior interpretation--to the parable of the sower found in the Gospel of Matthew 13? matthewsensus-pleniorEdit tags shareedit closeflag edited 3 hours ago Bob Jones 5,20011 gold badge1414 silver badges3939 bronze badges asked 3 hours ago David 1 New contributor

   Would you like a brief overview? Or a deeper dive? – Bob Jones 3 hours ago   

   I am somewhat wary of such questions - Jesus Himself provided the meaning of the parable (V3-9) in Matt 13:18-22. Paul gives the sage advice in 1Cor 4:6, "Do not go beyond what is written." – Dottard 1 hour ago

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The sensus plenior meaning must comply with the rules:

What are the strict set of rules followed by sensus plenior? :

How to interpret scripture using the rules of Sensus Plenior

Notice that the first answer (most popular) at the link above, says that there are no rules. This is why theologians confess that they cannot read the OT scriptures the way that Jesus and the NT authors did; and why they produce free-for-all allegory.

Exegete the meaning of the words using the formation of the words and prophetic pattern.

The seed

The seed זרע is also the sower זרע. By formation:

   The bride ז revealed ר by the flesh ע

   burden of guilt or crown זר on the flesh ע.

   lifted up זע with the purpose of revelation ר.

   bride ז evil רע

All of the legitimate permutations (no reversals) suggest Christ and the cross.

   Christ obtained his bride through his death and resurrection.

   Christ bore our guilt on the cross

   The cross was the ultimate revelation of the Holiness and Love of the invisible father.

   The bride who died with him was evil.

By prophetic pattern

   The messiah is the seed of the woman. Ge 3:15

   The Messiah is the seed of Abraham Ge 3:13

   The Messiah is the seed of David (multiple)

   Jesus is the baby bread (made from seed) in the manger. Cattle eat grass the source of flour for bread. We are his cattle who eat the bread. Jesus in the manger was a promise of the cross and communion.

   Jesus is the word, and the word is the seed (from the parable)

Jesus is the seed. and the sower.

He was 'sown 4 times' according to the parable. What are the hints: the path, the stones and heat, the thorns, and fruitfulness.

The garden of Eden had a path. The Sinai had stones and heat. The thorns are the 'cares of the world' according to the parable. The ram was also caught in the thorns. "God so 'cared for ' (loved) the world,... Jesus was fruitful in resurrection.

At first glance it appears that the four 'sowings of Christ and the word' occurred in the Garden, the desert, his incarnation and his resurrection. If we dig deeper these will be validated.

Each prophesies the cross, and these can be examined in new threads:

"What is the 'sowing' of the Word in the Garden?"

"What is the 'sowing' of the Word in the desert?"

"What is the 'sowing' of the Word in the incarnation?"

"What is the 'sowing' of the Word in the resurrection?"

The parable now has a sensus plenior framework as it speaks of Christ and the cross.

   The seed was first planted in the garden. There are two kinds of birds. Seed eaters: צפר tsippore like a sparrow and used in sacrifices, and flesh eaters: : עוף ofe (Ge 40:19 ) The seed eaters ate up the seed. By his sin, Adam did not allow the word to take flesh. He also was not allowed to eat of th etree of Life. These are parallel teachings; he could not get 'saved' before the time of the cross.

   The seed then was sown among the stones 'aben' אבן , which is father 'ab' אב and son 'ben' בן. When the father and son were together, they expressed the holiness of God through the law, and judgement. When the stone was split (like the separation of the father and son at the cross), the water of mercy sprang forth. The Israelites complained of the heat and the seed did not take root.

   The Word then became flesh. The deceitfulness of the world entrapped him as Judas bargained to betray him for riches. His love for the world nailed him to the cross, and he died 'unfruitful' like the seed planted in the ground (the heart of the earth, which heart is deceitful and wicked) must die.

   In resurrection he became fruitful, the firstfruits of creation, he obtained his bride and together they were multiplying by teaching, and being fruitful by the fruit of the Spirit