Chapter 8 opens with a list of women that accompanied Jesus as he went through the cities and villages. The most notable one mentioned here is Mary Magdalene. We find out here that she had been healed evil spirits and infirmities. She became a devout follower of Christ. We even read of her visiting the tomb on the day Jesus was resurrected in Luke 24.

Jesus begins to teach the crowd by using parables. Parables were a way on making a spiritual point by using common everyday examples. Jesus explains that it was important for him to teach this way because “seeing the may not see, and hearing they may not understand.” By using this technique Jesus could teach lessons that his followers could call back on and apply spiritual truths as they learned them.

The first parable he tells here is about the sower who sows seed. As he plants the seed it falls on different types of soil. The different types of soil treat the seed differently. The seed that fell along the path was trampled or eaten by the birds. The seed that feel on the rocks grew but could not sustain the growth due to a lack of moisture. The seed that fell among the thorns was choked out. The seed that fell on the good soil grew and yielded much return to harvest.

This parable is about people who hear the message of the Kingdom. Some have no interest and the seed is easily snatched away. Some might have interest but if it gets difficult or challenged they lose that interest. Some are interested but do not seek to grow deep roots. The cares of the world around them choke out their interest. Some have interest and dig deep to know more. These will grow strong and yield a harvest.