Because this parable is the first that the Lord speaks, we will discuss it extensively. Much of the information that we find here is fundamental with regard to understanding all parables. What follows now is the explanation of the parable of the sower.
18 You, then, hear the parable of the sower.
19 To everyone who hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart: this is the one who is sown by the wayside.
the sower
The original text already speaks of the sower in verse 3. That should immediately put us on the right track, because this is not just about a sower, as many translations render it, but one specific sower. The sower is a representation of the Lord himself. This is also the case in the next parable, that of the weeds: He who sows the good seed is the Son of man (:37).
the seed
By reading carefully we also see what the meaning of the seed is. It speaks of the word of the Kingdom. In this specific context it speaks of the word that the Lord spoke at His coming to His people. Words such as: Beware, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matt. 3:2)!
word of God
Seed (Greek: sperma), is that which produces new life, which is the word of God. In this context it speaks of the word of the Kingdom, but the principles we find here apply more generally. Seed is always a type of the word of God.
1 Peter 1
23 being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God which liveth and abideth for ever.