Pentecost Season · Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year A
Matthew 13:1-23 or Matthew 13:1-9
The Parable of the Sower
July 12, 2026
Overview & Insights
“As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit.” (Matthew 13:23)
Jesus teaches the crowd from a boat and tells the parable of a sower whose seed falls on four kinds of ground. He explains to his disciples why he speaks in parables and then unfolds how each soil pictures a way of receiving the word of the kingdom.
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Commentary
Working Preacher: Commentary on Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 Working Preacher
A preaching focused reading of the sower and its explanation.
Enduring Word: Matthew 13 Enduring Word · David Guzik
Verse by verse evangelical commentary on the whole chapter.
Precept Austin: Matthew 13 Commentary Precept Austin
A deep gathering of study notes and cross references on the chapter.
Bible Hub: Matthew 13:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic and modern commentaries lined up verse by verse.
Barnes' Notes on Matthew 13 StudyLight
A concise nineteenth century commentary on the chapter.
Loyola Press: 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) Sunday Connection Loyola Press · Sunday Connection
Catholic reflection and discussion questions for the Sunday readings.
Brant Pitre: 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year A) Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre
A Catholic scholar walks through all of this Sunday's readings together.
Background & Word Study
Bible Hub Interlinear: Matthew 13 BibleHub
The Greek text with parsing and gloss for each word.
Enter the Bible: Matthew Enter the Bible
Background on the authorship, setting, and themes of Matthew's Gospel.
BibleProject: Overview of Matthew 1-13 BibleProject
An animated walk through the first half of the Gospel.
The Church Fathers
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- Full sermons on Matthew 13:1-23 or Matthew 13:1-9
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- Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
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