Jesus said the secret of the Kingdom of God had been given to His disciples. (Mark 4:11). Yet His disciples didn't understand the parables. He told them that outsiders are given parables to fulfill Isaiah 6:9-10. They were under judgment, and God didn't want them to know the truth until a certain time had come.
But the disciples had to ask Jesus to explain the parables - shouldn't they have known? Didn't Jesus just say He gave them the secret? That's exactly what He did - He explained it to His disciples - He didn't explain it to those under judgment. For those, not even an explanation would help.
So here it is:
The farmer sows the Word (Mark 4:14). Seeds of the Gospel are sown on soil of all different types - the people of the earth are the seeds sown on different types of soil.
- Seed sown on the path - Satan takes away the Word that was sown in them (Mark 4:15)
- Seed sown on rocky places - people who hear the Word and at once receive it with joy. But with no root, they fall away at the first sign of trouble or persecution (Mark 4:16-17)
- Seed sown among thorns - people who hear the Word, but worries, deceitfulness of wealth and worldly desires choke off the Word, making it unfruitful.
- Seed sown on good soil - people who hear the Word, accept it and produce a crop 30, 60 even 100 times what was sown.
So we might first ask, what soil are we sown in? Does it facilitate a crop? Or is it unfruitful? Or maybe it got killed off as soon as it sprouted. Create for yourself good soil in the form of a good church with a teaching Bible study; a strong daily prayer life and Bible study/devotions; fellowship with other Christians.
And once you've seen to your own soil, create that soil for others by praying for their soil and being a good and loyal friend to others who might otherwise be on shaky ground.
Unlike those under God's judgment, who were denied an explanation of the parables which might have resulted in good soil, God has explained His parables in His Word so we may all have good soil today. Avail yourself of this secret and cultivate good soil for yourself and for others."