In today’s text, Jesus began to teach the crowds many things in the form of parables. Parables were helpful tools for conveying challenging truths in an illustrative and memorable manner. But Jesus’s parables were not merely intended to educate—but to expose. To unveil the true nature of the kingdom he preached and the true nature of the hearts of those who listened. The Parable of the Sower epitomizes this purpose that permeates all of our Lord’s parables.