Most people think they understand Jesus’ parables.

They don’t.

They quote them.

They decorate devotionals with them.

They turn them into cute wall art.

But Matthew 13 is not gentle.

Matthew 13 is a confrontation.

It is the chapter where Jesus stops trying to persuade the crowds with miracles and starts separating who is really listening… from who only wants bread.

Up to this point in the Gospel, He has healed openly.

Preached plainly.

Confronted Pharisees directly.

But something shifts here.

Now He speaks in stories.

Not to make things clearer.

But to make hearts visible.

Matthew 13 is not a collection of feel-good analogies.

It is a spiritual X-ray.

It shows who has soil.

Who has surface.

Who has stones.