Definition: Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down Matthew 13:18. It’s a really important and symbolic passage in the Bible! Here's an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is about following God’s instruction to share your gifts. It’s not just about giving away things, it’s about being responsible and focused on what you’re meant to do. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Hear ye therefore…” : This is a formal command – like a teacher telling someone to listen carefully. It's inviting us to pay attention to this message. “…the parable of the sower.” : This is where it gets interesting! The parable tells the story of a woman who sows some seed (representing a gift or talent) and then she’s trampled by a lightning storm (representing bad things that come our way). The Story: The woman doesn't understand what she has sown. She thinks it's enough on its own. But the storm comes, and it destroys everything. The seed is lost. What does this mean in practical terms? The “Sower” represents God. He’s sending us our gifts – whether it's a talent, a skill, or even just a kind heart – to share them with the world. “Bad things that come our way” represent temptations, obstacles, and challenges. These things can try to steal our focus and make it hard to do what God wants us to do. “Destroying everything” represents the negative consequences of not following God’s plan or prioritizing selfish desires. The Key Takeaway: The parable is a reminder that we must be diligent in sharing our gifts and putting them to work for good. It's about being responsible, focused, and committed to serving God through our talents. In short, Matthew 13:18 encourages us to actively participate in making the world better by using our abilities. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific part of the parable in more detail? Connect this verse to a broader theme in the Bible (like faith or discipleship)?