“Hear, then, the parable of the farmer. When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom, and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes, and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the roadside. What was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the word, and immediately with joy receives it; yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. What was sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word, and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit, and produces, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.”
Parallel Translations
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“Hear, then, the parable of the farmer.
When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom, and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes, and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the roadside.
What was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the word, and immediately with joy receives it;
yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
What was sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word, and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit, and produces, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.”
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Heare ye therfore the similitude of the sower.
Whosoever heareth the worde of the kingdome and vnderstondeth it not ther cometh the evyll man and catcheth awaye that which was sowne in his hert. And this is he which was sowne by the wayesyde.
But he that was sowne in the stony grounde is he which heareth the worde of God and anone with ioye receaveth it
yet hath he no rottes in him selfe and therfore dureth but a season: for assone as tribulacion or persecucion aryseth because of the worde by and by he falleth.
He that was sowne amonge thornes is he that heareth the worde of God: but the care of this worlde and the dissaytfulnes of ryches choke the worde and so is he made vnfrutfull.
He which is sowne in the good grounde is he that heareth the worde and vnderstodeth it which also bereth frute and bringeth forth some an hundred folde some sixtie folde and some thirty folde.
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Heare ye therefore ye parable of ye sower.
Whensoeuer any man heareth the woorde of that kingdome, and vnderstandeth it not, that euil one commeth, and catcheth away that which was sowen in his heart: and this is he which hath receiued the seede by the way side.
And hee that receiued seede in the stonie grounde, is he which heareth the woorde, and incontinently with ioy receiueth it,
Yet hath he no roote in himselfe, and dureth but a season: for assoone as tribulation or persecution commeth because of the woorde, by and by he is offended.
And hee that receiued the seede among thornes, is hee that heareth the woorde: but the care of this worlde, and the deceitfulnesse of riches choke the word, and he is made vnfruitfull.
But he that receiued the seede in the good ground, is he that heareth the worde, and vnderstandeth it, which also beareth fruite, and bringeth foorth, some an hundreth folde, some sixtie folde, and some thirtie folde.
Cross-references (168)
- 1 Timothy 6:17 (v22) Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be arrogant, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the…
- Luke 8:14 (v22) That which fell among the thorns, these are those who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares, riches, and…
- Philippians 1:11 (v23) being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
- 1 Timothy 6:9-10 (v22) But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation, a snare, and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and…
- Luke 8:11-15 (vv18–19) Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those along the road are those who hear, then the devil comes, and takes away the…
Show all 100 cross-references
- Matthew 12:33 (v23) “Either make the tree good, and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit.
- Mark 4:18-19 (v22) Others are those who are sown among the thorns. These are those who have heard the word, and the cares of this age, and the deceitfulness…
- John 15:16 (v23) You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that…
- Galatians 5:22-23 (v23) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things…
- Luke 12:15 (v22) He said to them, “Beware! Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man’s life doesn’t consist of the abundance of the things which he…
- Psalms 92:13-15 (v23) They are planted in Yahweh’s house. They will flourish in our God’s courts. They will still produce fruit in old age. They will be full of…
- Matthew 13:8 (v23) Others fell on good soil, and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.
- John 15:1-8 (v23) “I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer. Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit,…
- 2 Timothy 4:10 (vv21–22) for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia; and Titus to Dalmatia.
- Ecclesiastes 5:10-11 (v22) He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase: this also is vanity. When goods…
- Matthew 13:38 (v19) the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the children of the Kingdom; and the darnel weeds are the children of the evil one.
- Colossians 1:6 (v23) which has come to you, even as it is in all the world and is bearing fruit and growing, as it does in you also, since the day you heard and…
- Hebrews 2:1 (v19) Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away.
- Matthew 11:6 (v21) Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.”
- Psalms 52:7 (v22) “Behold, this is the man who didn’t make God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his…
- Ezekiel 33:31-32 (v20) They come to you as the people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear your words, but don’t do them; for with their…
- 1 John 2:15-16 (v22) Don’t love the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father’s love isn’t in him. For all that is in the…
- Psalms 106:12-13 (v20) Then they believed his words. They sang his praise. They soon forgot his works. They didn’t wait for his counsel,
- Matthew 6:24-25 (v22) “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other.…
- Luke 12:29-30 (v22) Don’t seek what you will eat or what you will drink; neither be anxious. For the nations of the world seek after all of these things, but…
- 2 Peter 1:8-9 (v21) For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to not be idle or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who…
- Matthew 3:8 (v23) Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance!
- Matthew 13:7 (v22) Others fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and choked them.
- Luke 12:21 (v22) So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
- Luke 13:9 (v23) If it bears fruit, fine; but if not, after that, you can cut it down.’ ”
- Luke 21:34 (v22) “So be careful, or your hearts will be loaded down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day will come on you…
- Ephesians 3:17 (v21) that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
- Colossians 1:10 (v23) that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of…
- 1 John 5:18 (v19) We know that whoever is born of God doesn’t sin, but he who was born of God keeps himself, and the evil one doesn’t touch him.
- 1 John 5:20 (vv19, 23) We know that the Son of God has come, and has given us an understanding, that we know him who is true, and we are in him who is true, in…
- Psalms 62:10 (v22) Don’t trust in oppression. Don’t become vain in robbery. If riches increase, don’t set your heart on them.
- Proverbs 11:28 (v22) He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.
- Jeremiah 4:3 (v22) For Yahweh says to the men of Judah and to Jerusalem, “Break up your fallow ground, and don’t sow among thorns.
- Hosea 6:4 (v21) “Ephraim, what shall I do to you? Judah, what shall I do to you? For your love is like a morning cloud, and like the dew that disappears…
- Matthew 4:23 (v19) Jesus went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every…
- John 5:35 (v20) He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.
- 2 Corinthians 8:1-2 (v23) Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia, how in much proof of…
- Philippians 4:17 (v23) Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account.
- 2 Peter 1:5-8 (v23) Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge;…
- 2 Peter 3:18 (v23) But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
- Genesis 13:10-13 (v22) Lot lifted up his eyes, and saw all the plain of the Jordan, that it was well-watered everywhere, before Yahweh destroyed Sodom and…
- Joshua 7:20-21 (v22) Achan answered Joshua, and said, “I have truly sinned against Yahweh, the God of Israel, and this is what I have done. When I saw among the…
- 2 Kings 5:20-27 (v22) But Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not receiving at his hands…
- 2 Chronicles 24:2 (v20) Joash did that which was right in Yahweh’s eyes all the days of Jehoiada the priest.
- Job 19:28 (v21) If you say, ‘How we will persecute him!’ because the root of the matter is found in me,
- Psalms 78:34-37 (v20) When he killed them, then they inquired after him. They returned and sought God earnestly. They remembered that God was their rock, the…
- Proverbs 12:3 (v21) A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
- Proverbs 23:5 (v22) Why do you set your eyes on that which is not? For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky.
- Ecclesiastes 4:8 (v22) There is one who is alone, and he has neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with…
- Ecclesiastes 5:13-14 (v22) There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm. Those riches perish by misfortune, and if…
- Isaiah 58:2 (v20) Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways. As a nation that did righteousness, and didn’t forsake the ordinance of their God,…
- Matthew 13:11-12 (v18) He answered them, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but it is not given to them. For whoever has, to him…
- Matthew 19:16-24 (v22) Behold, one came to him and said, “Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” He said to him, “Why do you…
- Mark 4:20 (v23) Those which were sown on the good ground are those who hear the word, and accept it, and bear fruit, some thirty times, some sixty times,…
- Luke 14:16-24 (v22) But he said to him, “A certain man made a great supper, and he invited many people. He sent out his servant at supper time to tell those…
- Luke 18:24-25 (v22) Jesus, seeing that he became very sad, said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom! For it is easier for a…
- John 15:5-7 (v21) I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If a man…
- Acts 5:1-11 (v22) But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira, his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being aware of…
- Acts 8:18 (v22) Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,
- 1 Thessalonians 4:1 (v23) Finally then, brothers, we beg and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, that…
- 2 Thessalonians 2:10 (v23) and with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost, because they didn’t receive the love of the truth, that they might be…
- 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 (v23) But we are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation…
- Hebrews 4:2 (v23) For indeed we have had good news preached to us, even as they also did, but the word they heard didn’t profit them, because it wasn’t mixed…
- Hebrews 8:10 (v23) “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel. After those days,” says the Lord; “I will put my laws into their mind,…
- 2 Peter 2:14-15 (v22) having eyes full of adultery, and who can’t cease from sin; enticing unsettled souls; having a heart trained in greed; children of cursing;…
- 1 John 3:12 (v19) unlike Cain, who was of the evil one, and killed his brother. Why did he kill him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
- Jude 1:11-12 (v22) Woe to them! For they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in Korah’s rebellion. These…
- 1 Samuel 11:13-15 (v20) Saul said, “No man shall be put to death today; for today Yahweh has rescued Israel.” Then Samuel said to the people, “Come! Let’s go to…
- 2 Chronicles 24:6 (v20) The king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said to him, “Why haven’t you required of the Levites to bring in the tax of Moses the servant…
- 2 Chronicles 24:14 (v20) When they had finished, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, from which were made vessels for Yahweh’s house,…
- Job 27:8-10 (v21) For what is the hope of the godless, when he is cut off, when God takes away his life? Will God hear his cry when trouble comes on him?…
- Psalms 1:1-3 (v23) Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers; but…
- Psalms 36:3 (v21) The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit. He has ceased to be wise and to do good.
- Proverbs 1:5-6 (v23) that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel: to understand a proverb,…
- Proverbs 1:7 (v19) The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
- Proverbs 2:1-6 (v19) My son, if you will receive my words, and store up my commandments within you, so as to turn your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to…
- Proverbs 2:2-6 (v23) so as to turn your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for discernment, and lift up your voice for…
- Proverbs 17:16 (v19) Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?
- Proverbs 18:1-2 (v19) A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment. A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in…
- Ezekiel 18:31 (v23) Cast away from you all your transgressions, in which you have transgressed; and make yourself a new heart and a new spirit: for why will…
- Ezekiel 36:26 (v23) I will also give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will…
- Matthew 3:10 (v23) “Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire.
- Matthew 5:37 (v19) But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.
- Matthew 13:5-6 (v20) Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn’t have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of earth. When the…
- Mark 4:15 (v19) The ones by the road are the ones where the word is sown; and when they have heard, immediately Satan comes, and takes away the word which…
- Mark 4:16-17 (v20) These in the same way are those who are sown on the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with joy. They…
- Mark 6:20 (v20) for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard…
- Mark 10:15 (v23) Most certainly I tell you, whoever will not receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.”
- Mark 10:23-25 (v22) Jesus looked around, and said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!” The disciples…
- Mark 13:12-13 (v21) “Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to…
- Luke 6:43-44 (v23) For there is no good tree that produces rotten fruit; nor again a rotten tree that produces good fruit. For each tree is known by its own…
- Luke 8:15 (v23) Those in the good ground, these are those who with an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it tightly, and produce fruit with…
- John 1:11-13 (v23) He came to his own, and those who were his own didn’t receive him. But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s…
- John 8:43 (v19) Why don’t you understand my speech? Because you can’t hear my word.
- John 8:47 (v23) He who is of God hears the words of God. For this cause you don’t hear, because you are not of God.”
100 distinct cross-references across this passage (168 total citations).
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Explain this passage (21 sources)
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On v19 Though there be mention made of the heart yet…
Though there be mention made of the heart yet this sowing is referred to hearing without understanding. For whether the seed be received in the heart or no, yet he that soweth, soweth to the heart.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv18–23 18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
Ver. 18. Hear ye therefore the parable, &c.] The disciples had asked him concerning the multitude, Mat 13:10; "Why speakest thou to them in parables?" They pretended that the multitude understood him not, and therefore he should do well to show them the meaning. They were ashamed, belike, to bewray their own ignorance, but our Saviour calls to them also to hear the parable explained. We are all willing to make the best of our own case, to hide our crooked legs with long garments, &c. Nature need not be taught to tell her own tale.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv18, 19, 20, 22, 23 Mark addeth a little check he gave them, Mar…
Mark addeth a little check he gave them, Mar 4:13, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? Luke saith, The parable is this, that is, My meaning in and by the parable was this. You, seeing that you cannot satisfy yourselves, as the most that heard me, hearing a sound of words without understanding what they meant, and seeing that to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, and seeing that you see, God hath opened your eyes and ears to spiritual mysteries.
Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower: my true sense and meaning in this parable, my scope in it, was to show you the different effects which the word of God preached hath upon men’s hearts, and the reasons of that difference.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On v18 As if our Lord has said, "You my disciples,…
As if our Lord has said, "You my disciples, who are not satisfied with a sound of words, I will explain to you the sense and signification of this parable: the scope of which is, to shew the different effects which the word of God has upon men’s hearts, and the reason of that difference.
The seed is the word, the sower is the preacher, the soil is the heart and soul of man."
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Now our Saviour assures us, that both the hearts of some hearers are like highway ground; in which the seed is not covered with the harrow of meditation; others are like stony ground, in which the word has no root; no root in their understandings, memories, conscience, will, or affections: but they are offended, either at the depth and profoundness of the word, or at the sanctity and strictness of it, or at the plainness and simplicity of it.
Again, some hearers our Lord compares to the thorny ground. Thorns are covetous desires, which choke the good seed, shadow the blade when sprung up, keep off the influences of the sun and draw away the fatness of the soil from the seed. All these effects have thorns in and among the seed; and the like effects have worldly affections and covetous desires in the heart of man, rendering the word unfruitful and unprofitable.
But the good Christian hears the word attentively, keeps it retentively, believes it stedfastly, applies it particularly, practises it universally, and brings forth fruit with patience and perseverance; fruit that will redound to his account, in the great day of account.
Learn, 1. That no hearers are in Christ’s account good hearers of the word, but such as bring forth the fruits of an holy, humble, and peaceable conversation.
2. That a person may be a good hearer of the word, if he brings forth the best fruit he can, though it be not in so great a proportion as others do: as some ground brings forth thirty, some sixty, and some an hundred-fold: in like manner do all the sincere hearers of the word, they all bring forth fruit, though not all alike; all in sincerity and reality, though not all to the same degree, and none to perfection.
Observe lastly, Satan is here compared to the fowls of the air, which pick up the seed before it takes any root in the earth. The devil is very jealous of the success of the word, and therefore labours all he can to destroy the word before it comes to operate upon the heart; which he doth sometimes by the cares of the world, sometimes by vain companions, who prove mere quench-coals unto early convictions; if he can steal away the word or choke it, he has his desire and design.
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv18–23 But he that receiveth the seed into stony places,....…
But he that receiveth the seed into stony places,.... Such a hearer, who is like to the stony ground on which the seed fell, is one that is not an accidental hearer of the word, as the former, but a settled constant hearer of it; and not one that is careless and negligent, but diligent and attentive, and has some understanding of what he hears;
the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it: he is one that not only constantly attends upon it, but he receives it; he gives an assent to it, he believes in it historically, makes a profession of his faith in it, and holds it for a while, being under some convictions of the truth of it: and having some speculative notions of it, and light in his understanding and judgment in it, he has some flashes of natural affection for it, and delivers some outward expressions of pleasure and delight in it, like Herod, and the hearers of John the Baptist; but has no heart work, and so is like to the rock in stony ground; the natural hardness of his heart continues, it remains unbroken by the word, without any true sense of sin, and repentance for it, and destitute of spiritual life, and of true faith, love, and joy: hence, as his profession is taken up in haste, immediately, upon a flash of affection, and a little head knowledge, it does not last long, nor prove honourable.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv19–23 When any one heareth the word, and considereth it…
When any one heareth the word, and considereth it not - The first and most general cause of unfruitfulness. The wicked one cometh - Either inwardly; filling the mind with thoughts of other things; or by his agent. Such are all they that introduce other subjects, when men should be considering what they have heard.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv19–23 Verse 19. When any one heareth the word of…
Verse 19. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom] Viz. the preaching of the Gospel of Christ.
And understandeth it not] μη συνιεντος, perhaps more properly, regardeth it not, does not lay his heart to it.
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The wicked one] ο πονηρος, from πονος, labour, toil, he who distresses and torments the soul. Mark, Mr 4:15, calls him οσατανας, the adversary or opposer, because he resists men in all their purposes of amendment, and, to the utmost of his power opposes, in order to frustrate, the influences of Divine grace upon the heart. In the parallel place in Luke, Lu 8:12, he is called ο διαβολος, the devil, from διαβαλλειν, to shoot, or dart through. In allusion to this meaning of the name, St. Paul, Eph 6:16, speaks of the fiery DARTS of the wicked one. It is worthy of remark, that the three evangelists should use each a different appellative of this mortal enemy of mankind; probably to show that the devil, with all his powers and properties, opposes every thing that tends to the salvation of the soul.
Catcheth away] Makes the utmost haste to pick up the good seed, lest it should take root in the heart.
A careless inattentive hearer is compared to the way side-his heart is an open road, where evil affections, and foolish and hurtful desires, continually pass and repass, without either notice or restraint. "A heart where Satan has" (as one terms it) "ingress, egress, regress, and progress: in a word, the devil's thoroughfare."
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv18, 20, 22, 23 Mat 13:18-19. Hear ye therefore the parable of the…
Mat 13:18-19. Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower — A parable which our Lord judged to be so important that he introduced it with a double demand of attention, Hearken, behold; Mar 4:3; and concluded it with a third, and still more solemn demand thereof, who hath ears to hear, let him hear; and here, proceeding to the explanation of it, he calls for attention the fourth time. And the reason of this is evident: the parable sets before us, in a summary point of view, all the grand hinderances of our bearing fruit, and that in the same order in which they occur. The first danger is, lest the birds should devour the seed, or it should be trodden down. If it escape this, there is then another danger, namely, lest it be scorched, and wither away. It is long after this that the thorns spring up and choke the good seed. A vast number of those who hear the word of God, receive the seed as by the way-side. Of those who do not lose it by the birds, yet many receive it as on stony places. Many of them who receive it on a better soil, yet suffer the thorns to grow up and choke it: so that few even of these endure to the end, and bear fruit unto perfection: yet in all these cases, it is not the will of God that hinders, but their own voluntary perverseness. When any one heareth, &c. — The parable, it must be observed, only concerns the hearers of the gospel. As to those who decline, or neglect to hear it, their portion is frequently given them elsewhere, and their danger and misery declared with sufficient clearness; the word of the kingdom — Namely, of the kingdom of Christ, generally termed in the gospels, the kingdom of God, or of heaven: the word which describes the nature, and shows the excellency and necessity of the kingdom of grace, preparatory to that of glory, and points out the way leading thereto. See notes on Rom 14:17; and Mar 1:15. This is the good seed, which every sower sent by Jesus Christ will be careful to sow. Not the chaff of metaphysical speculations, of human traditions, and empty notions, nor the light corn of mere moral doctrines, much less the tares of superstitious injunctions, or of enthusiastical, or Pharisaic, or antinomian delusions; but the solid and well-bodied grain of the essential truths of the gospel of Christ. And understandeth it not — For the truths that are not understood, how often soever they are heard, are in this parable fitly compared to the seed which lies uncovered on the surface of the ground, exposed to be instantly picked up by the fowls of heaven. But why is not the word of the kingdom understood? Either, 1st, because, while delivered, it is not attended to; or, 2d, because it is not heard in a spirit of prayer for divine illumination, without which divine things are not understood, Luk 24:45; 1Co 2:11; 1Co 2:14. But the Greek expression, μη συνιεντος, may with equal propriety be rendered considereth it not. Considering or meditating upon the word heard, is like harrowing in and covering up the seed sown on the ploughed ground; in consequence whereof, and not otherwise, imbibing moisture from the earth, it vegetates and springs up. When the word is not thus understood and considered, then cometh the wicked one; Satan cometh immediately; (so Mark;) either inwardly filling the mind with thoughts of other things, and exciting earthly and carnal desires and dispositions in the heart; or by his agents, such as all they are that introduce other subjects when people should be considering what they have heard. And catcheth away that which was sown in his heart — Which was intended deeply to impress and sink into it; and to remain, not only in the understanding and memory, but also in the affections, as a seed of true piety and virtue. And now the seed, the truths heard, being taken away, with the good impressions produced thereby, no fruit is to be looked for. It is justly observed here by Dr. Whitby, that this industry of Satan to snatch the word out of our hearts, as it discovers his enmity against the gospel, so doth it highly commend the excellency and efficacy of it: for were it not of great importance to preserve it there, he would not be so industrious to snatch it thence. And were it not, when there, a powerful instrument to work within us that faith which purifies the heart, why doth he do this lest we should believe? See Luk 8:12. This is he that receiveth seed by the way-side — And a great proportion of most congregations are of this description.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On v18 See also Mar 4:13-20; Luk 8:11-15. “Hear ye, therefore,…
See also Mar 4:13-20; Luk 8:11-15. “Hear ye, therefore, the parable of the sower.” That is, hear the “explanation” or the “spiritual meaning” of the narrative given before. Mark adds Mar 4:13, “Know ye not this parable? And how, then, shall ye know all parables?” By which it seems that the Saviour regarded this as one of the simplest and plainest of the parables, and gave an explanation of it that they might understand the general principles of interpreting others.
Mat 13:19
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When any one heareth ... - The seed represents the word of God communicated in any manner to the minds of people - by the Scriptures, by preaching, by acts of Providence, or by the direct influences of the Holy Spirit.
Then cometh the wicked one - That is, Satan Mar 4:15, or the devil Luk 8:12 - the one eminently “wicked,” the accuser, the tempter.
He is represented by the fowls that came and picked up the seed by the way-side. The gospel is preached to people hardened in sin. It makes no impression. It lies like seed on the “hard path;” it is easily taken away, and never suffered to take root.
Mat 13:20, Mat 13:21
But he that received the seed into stony places - Jesus explains this as denoting those who hear the gospel; who are caught with it as something new or pleasing; who profess to be greatly delighted with it, and who are full of zeal for it.
Yet they have no root in themselves. They are not true Christians. Their hearts are not changed. They have not seen their guilt and danger, and the true excellency of Christ. They are not “really” attached to the gospel; and when they are tried and persecution comes, they fall - as the rootless grain withers before the scorching rays of the noonday sun.
Anon - “Quickly,” or “readily.”
With joy receiveth it - They are under deep distress for sin; they are apprehensive of danger; they hear the offer of mercy, and they seem to themselves to embrace the gospel. It offers them peace, pardon, salvation, and religion assumes for a time a lovely aspect. They imagine that they are pardoned, and they have a temporary peace and joy. Their anxieties subside. Their fears are gone. They are for a time happy. “The mere subsiding of anxious feeling from any cause will make the mind for a time happy.” They have only to imagine, therefore, that their sins are forgiven, to produce a certain kind of peace and joy. But there is no ground of permanent joy, as there is in true pardon, and soon their joy subsides, and all evidence of piety disappears. There is no strength of principle to resist temptation; there is no real love of the Saviour; and in times of trial and persecution they show that they have no true religion, and fall away.
By and by - Mark, “Immediately.” That is, it soon occurs, or this is an effect which may be expected soon to follow.
Is offended - Stumbles or falls, for this is the meaning of the word “offend” in the New Testament. See the notes at Mat 5:29. Persecution and trial are placed in his path, and he falls as he would over a “stumbling-block.” He has no strength of principle - no real confidence in God - no true religion. Mere excited animal feeling is all that he ever had, and that is not sufficient to sustain him when the trial comes.
Mat 13:22
He also that received seed among the thorns - These represent the cares, the anxieties, and the deceitful lure of riches, or the way in which a desire to be rich deceives people.
They take the time and attention. They do not leave opportunity to examine the state of the soul. Besides, riches allure, and promise what they do not yield. They promise to make us happy; but, when gained, they do not do it. The soul is not satisfied. There is the same desire to possess more wealth. And to this there is no end “but death.” In doing it there is every temptation to be dishonest, to cheat, to take advantage of others, to oppress others, and to wring their hard earnings from the poor. Every evil passion is therefore cherished by the love of gain; and it is no wonder that the word is choked, and every good feeling destroyed, by this “execrable love of gold.” See the notes at 1Ti 6:7-11. How many, O how many, thus foolishly drown themselves in destruction and perdition! How many more might reach heaven, if it were not for this deep-seated love of that which fills the mind with care, deceives the soul, and finally leaves it naked, and guilty, and lost!
Mat 13:23
Into good ground - Those whose hearts are prepared by grace to receive it honestly, and to give it full opportunity to grow.
In a rich and mellow soil - in a heart that submits itself to the full influence of truth, unchecked by cares and anxieties; under the showers and summer suns of divine grace; with the heart spread open, like a broad, luxuriant field, to the rays of the morning and to evening dews, the gospel takes deep root and grows; it has full room, and then and there only shows “what it is.”
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv19, 21 When any one heareth. This seed faileth upon four…
When any one heareth. This seed faileth upon four different kinds of soil, which represent four different sorts of persons. The 1st, such as continue obdurate in vice; the 2d, such as are unsteady and inconstant in their good resolutions; the 3d, such as are absorbed in the cares and pleasures of life; the 4th, such as have every proper disposition for receiving the word of God with fruit. --- There cometh the wicked one, Greek: o poneros, the devil, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts, lest believing they should be saved. (Haydock)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv18–23 18. Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower…
18. Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower — It was important for the disciples and for us, that the first and some others of the parables should be explained, in order to furnish the key, not only to them but to other parables.
The parable of the sower divides the hearers of the Gospel into four classes. 1. The mere unintelligent hearer, who hears but receives not. 2. The shallow hearer, whose emotions are superficially touched, but whose heart is still hard. 3. The hearer whose heart is fully right, but is at last conquered by outer temptation. 4. The persevering and fruitful receiver of the word. Of the four classes, alas! only one can be saved.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv20–22 20. anon] = immediately; the same Greek word is…
20. anon] = immediately; the same Greek word is translated by and by in the next verse. Cp. “Then I will come to my mother by and by.” Shaksp. Hamlet, Act iii. sc. 2.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv18–23 (18) Hear ye therefore.—The “ye” is emphatic. The interpretation…
(18) Hear ye therefore.—The “ye” is emphatic. The interpretation which is withheld from others is given to you.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv18–23 Vers. 18-23. The explanation of the parable of the…
Vers. 18-23. The explanation of the parable of the sower. Parallel passages: Mar_4:13-20 Luk_8:11-15. Observe that after the preceding verses St. Matthew"s readers would the more easily catch the lesson of the parable.
Matthew only. Hear ye therefore; Revised Version, hear ye then, which leaves more room for the rightful emphasis on ye (umeiv) than the Authorized Version, but hardly gives the full force of oun (therefore), i.e. in accordance with the privileges that have been given you. The parable of the sower.
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Vers. 18-23. The Sower.
(See ante on vers. 1-9) J.A.M.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv20, 22, 23 Mat_13:5; Mat_13:20-21
Mat_13:5; Mat_13:20-21
Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth.
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Stony places
I. The nature of the ground.
1. Stony ground wants breaking up. These persons enter into a profession of religion before their hearts are thoroughly broken in the sense of sin.
2. Stony ground is cold; what colder than a stone? These persons are without spiritual warmth.
3. Their hearts may be compared to stony ground from the heaviness or lumpishness of their spirits. These hearts are heavy and not soon removed out of their evil course.
4. Stony ground doth not drink in the rain that falls from heaven.
5. All the hearts of men are naturally hard.
6. Stony ground seems to be the fruit of the curse for mans sin. So these persons seem still to be under the curse.
7. Stony ground by reason of the little earth that is found there, never brings forth fruit to perfection. So these persons only bring forth the externals of religion.
8. Stony ground, when the sun rises high and begins to shine hot upon it, the scorching beams thereof soon causes the blade to wither away.
II. The success of the seed. Stony or hard hearted hearers may go a great way in the profession of religion.
1. They may hear the Word of God with diligence.
2. They may be zealous hearers.
3. They may receive the Word into their hearts.
4. They receive it with joy.
5. They believe for a while.
6. They may yield obedience to all external duties.
7. They may become members of a visible church.
8. They may leave all gross acts of sin.
9. They may have some inward joy as to the hopes they have of heaven.
Why they go so far?
1. From the common illuminations of Gods Word and Spirit.
2. Because a temporary faith is not wholly without product.
3. It may arise from regard for some ministers.
4. Self-respect and honour may cause them to go so far.
5. It may be self-profit.
6. It may arise from that seeming sweetness and satisfaction they meet with from within themselves whilst they continue in the profession of religion.
7. It may be from a natural desire of being saved.
8. It may be from the shame and reproach which are attached to open wickedness.
From whence it arises that these hearers go no further:
1. It may arise from the great ignorance that is in them.
2. It ariseth from the unsoundness of their hearts, the ground is not good.
3. It ariseth from the deceitfulness of their hearts.
4. They go no further because of their pride.
5. Because they had no vital but artificial principle ill them.
6. Because there is some secret sin hid in their hearts. (B. Keach.)
Withering is the fearful fate of all stony-ground hearers
I. As to the evil of the cause that produces such evil effects.
1. The principal cause is the stoniness of their hearts.
2. Privative cause.
(1) Want of moisture.
(2) Want of earth.
(3) Want of taking root.
II. The badness of those effects that proceed from such evil causes.
1. Barrenness.
2. Another effect that attends these professors is earthliness.
3. Lukewarmness in religious duties.
4. Pride.
5. Uncharitableness.
6. Contention.
7. Inconstancy.
8. Apostacy.
(1) In judgment.
(2) In affection.
(3) In practice.
(4) In respect of means.
III. The danger and fearful condition of such that wither
1. They disappoint God of His expectation.
2. These persons are hateful to God, as they seem to declare to all the world that there is not that good to be found in God which the Word and ministers do affirm.
3. They bring scandal upon the Church.
4. In respect of the world these mens sin and danger is also aggravated.
5. In respect to the sin itself, none is more odious and dangerous. Relapse more dangerous than the disease.
6. This sin of withering is generally punished with other sins,
(1) with blindness of mind;
(2) with judicial hardness of heart;
(3) with a seared conscience;
(4) with final impenitence.
7. How may it be known that a man is withering?
1. Self-confidence.
2. When he cannot bear a searching doctrine.
3. When his conscience is not so tender as it was.
4. When a mans prayers are short.
5. When he cannot stand in the hour of temptation.
6. Deadness of spirit. (B. Keach.)
The temporary Christian
This mans faith has five stages:
1. He knows the Word.
2. He assents to it.
3. He professes it.
4. He rejoices inwardly in it.
5. He brings forth some kind of fruit; and yet for all this, hath no more fruit in him than a faith that will fail in the end; because he wants the effectual application of the promise of the gospel, and is without all manner of sound conversation.
This faith is like corn on the housetop, which grows for a while; but, when the heat of summer comes, it withers. (W. Perkins)
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An easily-moved susceptibility
There is deep knowledge of human nature and exquisite fidelity to truth in the single touch by which the impression of religion on them is described. The seed sprang up quickly; and then withered away as quickly, because it had no depth of root. There is a quick, easily-moved susceptibility, that rapidly exhibits the slightest breath of those emotions which play upon the surface of the soul, and then as rapidly passes off. In such persons words are ever at command-voluble and impassioned words. Tears flow readily. The expressive features exhibit every passing shade of thought. Every thought and every feeling plays upon the surface-everything that is sown springs up at once with vehement vegetation. But slightness and inconstancy go together with violence. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. True; but also out of the emptiness of the heart the mouth can speak even more volubly. He who can always find the word which is appropriate and adequate to his emotion,, is not the man whose emotions are deepest; warmth of feeling is one thing-permanence is another. (F. W. Robertson.)
Shallow soil like superficial character
You meet with such persons in life. There is nothing deep about them-all they do and all they have is on the surface. The superficial servants work is done: but lazily, partially-not thoroughly. The superficial workmans labour will not bear looking into-but it bears a showy outside. The very dress of such persons betrays the slatternly, incomplete character of their minds. When religion comes in contact with persons of this stamp, it shares the fate of everything else. (F. W. Robertson.)
The superficial character connected with the hard heart
Beneath the light thin surface of easily stirred dust lies the bed of rock. The shallow ground was stony ground. And it is among the children of light enjoyment and unsettled life that we must look for stony heartlessness-not in the world of business-not among the poor, crushed to the earth by privation and suffering. These harden the character, but often leave the heart soft. If you wish to know what hollowness and heartlessness are, you must seek for them in the world of light, elegant, superficial Fashion-where frivolity has turned the heart into a rockbed of selfishness. Say what men will of the heartlessness of Trade, it is nothing compared with the heartlessness of Fashion. Say what they will of the atheism of Science, it is nothing to the atheism of that round of pleasure in which many a heart lives: dead while it lives. (F. W. Robertson)
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Warm affections easily moved
Among the affections, when they are warm and newly stirred, the seed speedily springs. (W. Arnot.)
Christ not to be on the surface
Do not keep Christ on the surface; let Him possess the centre, and thence direct all the circumference of your life. (W. Arnot.)
Hasty, but not lasting
The marked antithesis between the immediate reception and the immediate rejection is to be carefully observed. That which is hasty is not lasting. Grace, in almost every case, is slow and progressive; for, in the human heart, it has much to contend against; and God treats us as free agents, putting no force on any mans will, (J. Ford,)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain On v18 Mat_13:19. Which received seed.—That was sown (R. V.). A…
CRITICAL NOTES
Mat_13:19. Which received seed.—That was sown (R. V.). A change in the figure quite common among Orientals. It should have been: This is he in whose case the seed was sown by the wayside (Meyer). But there is a deeper meaning in this change. The loss of the seed becomes in reality the loss of one’s own life, just as the seed sown on good soil, so to speak, becomes identified with our personality (Lange). See Mat_13:23, R.V.
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MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.—Mat_13:18-23
The art of hearing.—We have before us here the Saviour’s own explanation (Mat_13:18) of the first of His parables at this time. And we find, appropriately enough, that the subject of it is the subject of “hearing.” There are three wrong ways—there is only one right way—of hearing the word. That, in brief, is what His explanation amounts to. The consideration of the three wrong ways will make the consideration of the one right way a comparatively easy proceeding.
I. The first wrong way of hearing may be described as hardly hearing at all. It is hearing without understanding (Mat_13:19). It is hearing the sound only, and not the sense. To such a “hearer” it matters little what message is sent him. He takes in as much—or rather as little—whatever is said. He is well represented, therefore, by that “wayside” soil which is trodden so hard that the seed which falls on it cannot enter into it. Just so is it of such a hearer, and of the truth which he hears. When all has been said, the truth in question remains outside of his mind. Naturally, therefore, the result of such “hearing” is just nothing at all. No seed that only lies on the surface can germinate or increase. It cannot even take the first step in that vital direction. It can only lie there till one of the birds of the air carries it off, and “devours” it. Even so of that truth, by whomsoever spoken, which does not even enter the mind. Not only, in that condition, can it then do nothing at all; there are influences at work which will soon take away its chance of doing anything in the future (end of Mat_13:19).
II. The second wrong way of hearing may be described as only hearing in part. It is not in this case, as in the previous one, that nothing at all is received. On the contrary a good deal—and that “straightway”—and even “with joy.”—is received (Mat_13:20). But it is not so received for all that, but that a good deal more is left out. As it were the pleasant side of the message of the “kingdom,” the peace it offers, the hope it sets forth, the glory it promises are appreciated in full. But the sterner and less alluring side of the question, the probability of “persecution or tribulation arising because of the word,” is not considered as it should be, if considered at all. When this comes about, therefore, as come it must, such a hearer is not prepared for such a stumbling-block in his way. The first consequence is that he is as quickly displeased now (end of Mat_13:21 R.V. “straightway”) as he had been quickly pleased at the first. And the consequence of that is, that he goes back again wholly from such good as he had. Precisely as happens, in short, where the seed of the sower falls upon one of those “rocky places” where there is “no deepness of earth” (Mat_13:4-5). The only thing quicker than the subsequent growth of that seed is its still later decay. And the only relic it leaves is a “withered” blade (Mat_13:6), which tells of what had been hoped at one time.
III. The third wrong way of hearing may be described as that of not hearing in truth. It is indeed, “receiving” the word, but it is also receiving together with it that which is inconsistent therewith. Rather, perhaps, it is not making sufficient room for it by previously casting all such other things out. When the seed of the sower falls into soil in which “the thorns” (Mat_13:7; Mat_13:22)—“the thorns” that ought not to be there—are there in germ, if not in anything more, that seems to describe exactly the kind of thing that is meant. Really, in such soil, there is not “room enough” for that seed. It cannot possibly grow there as it should. Precisely so, is it too, with the hearer who does indeed receive the word of God into his heart; but only to find there such things as “the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches” ready to grow by its side. Not even the word of God in such a case, can do what it should. It does effect indeed—even so—a good deal for a time. Such a hearer of the word becomes also a doer of it to a certain extent. In this case there would appear to be even the “setting” of fruit. But not anything more. Not the growth of it—not the ripening of it—not the “full corn in the ear” (Mar_4:28). Even the power of the word cannot do this in that pre-occupied soil. There are rival powers there which “choke” even its powers, and cause it to become “unfruitful” at last (end Mat_13:22).
IV. From these wrong ways of hearing it should be easy now to put together the right way.—The right way is one which escapes the evils of each of these three. It is to hear the sense as well as the sound. It is to hear the whole and not only a part. It is to hear in sincerity, and not in any way in pretence. Also we see, thus, by what results the right way may be known. Not mere sterility, as a matter of course—nor yet “withered” blades only, however abundant—nor yet abortive fruit only, however advanced—prove the ground to be good. Nothing proves this except the actual presence of “something to be reaped.” Not however, that this something, be it observed in conclusion, must always be of the “most.” This seems the comforting lesson with which the parable ends. There are “some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred-fold” in return. Of course, this last, to all true hearts, will be far away best. Of course this “most” will be desired most by every one who “hears” rightly. But even the “less” in this field of the “kingdom,” will not be set on one side. True “fruit” means true life, even if not in greatest abundance. True obedience means true hearing, even if there might have been more. “She hath done what she could” (Mar_14:8).
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary (gen. ed. Joseph S. Exell; Funk & Wagnalls, c. 1892) — public domain (pre-1929). A full-Bible homiletical/sermon-outline anthology covering 65 of 66 books (2 John is absent from the source module). Text from a community e-Sword module.
William B. Godbey 1900 · Public Domain On v18 Mat 13:18-27; Mar 4:35-41; & Luk 8:22-25; Luk 9:57-62.…
STORM ON THE GALILEAN SEA
Mat 13:18-27; Mar 4:35-41; & Luk 8:22-25; Luk 9:57-62. Mark: “And He says to them on that day, it being evening, Let us cross over to the other side. And leaving the multitude, they receive Him, as he was in the ship; and there were many other ships along with Him. And there is a great storm of wind, and the waves poured into the ship, so that it was already sinking.” Matthew says is was covered with the waves, and Luke says they were being filled up and were in danger. The Sea of Galilee, seven hundred feet below the Mediterranean, as a natural consequence of this deep depression, is surrounded by mountains on all sides, except the deep valley through which the Jordan flows from the north and out toward the south. Consequently it is very liable to sudden tornadoes; the atmosphere, pouring down in all directions from the highlands, gets turned about, and develops whirlwinds, which are very dangerous, as it is sixteen and one-half miles long and seven and one-half miles wide, with a coast of seventy-five miles. We were warned by the guidebooks to beware of storms. This we heeded, lighting on the good fortune to get a very valuable boat, which was built last year, in Beyroot, for the especial accommodation of the German emperor. We found it splendid, and, sailing over the sea two days, encountered no storm. “He was lying in the stern, sleeping on a pillow; they arouse Him up, and say to Him, Master, is there no care to Thee that we perish?” Matthew: “And He says to them, Why are ye cowardly, O ye of little faith?” This was a just rebuke; because they might have known that they were in no danger with Him on hoard. This is the secret of perfect love, which always takes Jesus aboard, casting out fear. Mark “And rising, He rebuked the wind and said to the sea, Be quiet!
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be calm! And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And He said to them, Why are ye afraid? How have you not faith? And they feared with great fear, and continued to say to one another, Who then is this, because the wind and the sea obey Him?” This was a most incontestable miracle, commanding the elements of nature, illustrating to all that He had made the sea and the storms, and had nothing to do but speak, and they promptly obey. We sailed over the same route last November, meanwhile we read the account of this storm and the miraculous calm.
William B. Godbey, Commentary on the New Testament (1896–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v19 kingdom (See Scofield "Mat 3:2").
kingdom (See Scofield "Mat 3:2").
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v18 The interpretation of the parable:
The interpretation of the parable:
v. 18. Hear ye, therefore, the parable of the sower.
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v. 19. When any one heareth the Word of the Kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the Wicked One, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart: this is he which received seed by the wayside,
v. 20. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the Word, and anon with joy receiveth it.
v. 21. Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while; for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the Word, by and by he is offended.
v. 22. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the Word, and the care of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the Word, and he becometh unfruitful.
v. 23. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the Word and understandeth it, which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
He sets His disciples apart: Ye therefore hear, and, in hearing, learn the lesson. The seed that is sown in the Kingdom and for the purpose of winning for the Kingdom, is always the same, the Word of God, just as He is the same that does the sowing, either personally, as in the days of His earthly career, or through His servants, as at the present time. But there are also four different kinds of soil in spiritual matters. Some there are (and it is true of all that act in the same way) that pay fleeting attention to the Message of the Kingdom. They have somehow come into contact with the Church, some phase of church-work has struck their fancy. But there is no understanding, they literally do not take it into their hearts and minds, the Word never becomes a real factor in their lives. In this case the Evil One, Satan, has little difficulty in snatching away the truth which they have just barely grasped with their intellect, 2Ti 4:4; 2Th 2:11. "To us it does not seem a dangerous matter to hear the Word of God, and yet not keep it; those that do it we regard as bad, inattentive people and think it is natural that they hear the sermon and still forget it. But Christ judges differently here and says: The devil takes the Word out of the heart of the people. Therefore, if thou seest a person who permits himself to be talked to and preached to as to a log, and the whole matter amounts to as much as if one strikes into water,... then think nothing else than that the devil has sat down in his heart and snatches the seed, the Word of God, away, that he does not believe and is not saved."
Another class of people that are temporary Christians are characterized by the eagerness and apparent joy with which they accept the Word. Their avidity for instruction is sometimes almost embarrassing. But they are quick, emotional, shallow natures. Their faith, though genuine, is not rooted deeply enough to withstand disappointment, especially tribulation, suspicion, hatred, enmity, and the resulting open or hidden persecution on account of the Word. Their rapid acceptance of the Word is equaled only by their hasty offense when they are asked to suffer for the sake of Christ. They want the crown, but not the cross. Not much different is the case of another class, whose members are said to hear the Word, probably with at least an intellectual acceptance. Their hearts have not properly been cleared of the roots of worldly cares and desires. They are not sincere toward the Word, do not use it to purify their hearts. The cares and worries of this world, the love and the desire of riches, fill their hearts and engross their attention. There is no real Christianity in their souls.
Only the fourth class of hearers present soil ready for a crop and fruit hat is well-pleasing to the Lord. They are they who hear and heed the Word in fine and good hearts. In this instance the soil of the hearts has been well prepared by the plowing of the Law, which incidentally weeded out all earthly love and care of this world, all selfishness and self-righteousness. Then the Master has sowed His good seed, the Gospel of His mercy. He also sends the fountains of His grace and the sun of His righteousness. And, behold, there is good fruit, though the measure depends upon differences of gifts, of disposition, and of the capacity for receiving and spreading the kingdom of God.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv18, 20, 22 Connecting Statement:
Connecting Statement:
Here Jesus begins to explain to his disciples the parable about a person who sows seeds, which he began in Matthew 13:3.
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the word of the kingdom
"the message about God's rule as king"
the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart
Jesus speaks of Satan causing the person to forget what he has heard as if Satan were a bird snatching the seed from the ground. AT: "The evil one causes him to forget the message that he has heard just as a bird snatches away seed from the ground" (See: Metaphor)
the evil one
This refers to Satan. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
snatches away
Try to use a word that means to grab something away from someone who is the rightful owner.
what has been sown in his heart
This can be translated in active form: AT: "the message that God sowed in his heart" or "the message that he heard" (See: Active or Passive)
in his heart
Here "heart" refers to the mind of the hearer. (See: Metonymy)
This is the seed that was sown beside the road
"This is the meaning of the seed that was sown beside the road" or "The road where seed was sown represents this person"
beside the road
See how you translated this in Matthew 13:4.
translationWords
parable
plant
word
kingdom
understand
Satan
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv19, 20, 22, 23 13:19 don’t understand it: Responding to the message of…
13:19 don’t understand it: Responding to the message of the Kingdom is directly related to discerning its significance.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.