This is how I interpret your post, because of the things, you yourself say, which begins with the Gospel being replaced with the mysteries of the kingdom.
Matt 13 never even uses the word "Gospel". You are the one replacing the words Jesus used with your word, "Gospel". I'm simply sticking with the wording He used.
The parable of the sower mentions the message or word of the kingdom: The Gospel of the kingdom.
No it doesn't. The parable mentions sowing "seed". His explanation for speaking in parables and the explanation of this parable uses the words the mysteries of the kingdom. Thus, that's what I used to avoid confusion.
It's in His reason for using parables and His explanation of the parable, that the mysteries of the kingdom is spoken of. And again, He never even uses the word Gospel.
Please post a verse from the Scripture of the parable itself, Jesus' reason for speaking to the whole crowd in parables or the explanation of the parable of the sower that uses the word "Gospel". It's not there. You prefer to insert it.
You were convincing us that the process began with God "granting to them the understanding".
Wrong. I clearly stated the parable begins with speaking (sowing) not granting understanding. Which it does. I shouldn't need to convince anybody of this. It's plainly the case. If Jesus hadn't first spoke the parable of the sower, Matthew would not have recorded it.
1. Does the parable start with speaking (sowing) the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven upon them?
Here, replace my question 1 with your preferred word (Gospel) then answer the question (even though it's not the word Jesus used in Matt 13):
1. Does the parable
start with speaking (sowing) the 'Gospel'
mysteries of the kingdom of heaven upon them?
I say yes. What say you?
I answered this question as no, and stated what was sowed was the Gospel Message, not the mysteries of the Kingdom.
I used the language of the Text. Your answer to my question contradicts the Text of Matt 13 and Jesus' own answer to why He spoke the parable of the sower to the whole crowd using this parabolic language.
After speaking (sowing) the parable of the sower to the whole crowd, His disciples asked Him why he spoke to them in parables. He answered:
Matthew 13:10-11 (NASB) And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.
Matthew 13:19a (NASB) When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart.
If you prefer your word over Jesus' words replace it. It makes my same point which is; you must understand the 'Gospel' in order to bear fruit (which is proof of being His disciple).
And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You
speak to them in parables?” J answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the '
Gospel', but to them
it has not been granted (to know the 'Gospel').
When anyone hears the '
Gospel' and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart.
And the one on whom the 'Gospel' was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the 'Gospel' and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.”
The one on the good soil is still the one who understood the 'Gospel' and proved it by bearing any fruit. Which is my point. And a valid one.