V.1 When the “house” has been mentioned in Matthew up to this chapter, it was referring to Israel. The Lord here goes out of the “house.” (See the end of chapter 12). He sits by the seaside.
V.2 Now His message is going to have a wide range — “to multitudes,” beyond even Israel it was to the Gentiles, us.
V.3-9 The Sower (Christ) goes out with the seed (the Word of God). Up until this chapter we could say that the Lord came to earth looking for “fruit” in Israel; but found none. Here He starts something new. The seed is always the same, what makes the difference is the soil — how the Word of God is received. These parables are not of salvation, for we could never lose that.
V.11-17 Why the Lord speaks in parables (in riddles). He makes a distinction for the first time between the nation of Israel and a little group which we could call “the remnant.”
V.18-23 He explains the meaning of the parable. The more we understand the Word, the better we know the Lord (John 17:33And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (John 17:3)). Fruit is produced in your life according to how much God’s Word takes root in you.