Some ( and others, Revised Version) fell upon stony places ; the rocky places (Revised Version). Where the underlying rock was hardly, if at all, covered by soil. Such spots would be common in the fields of Palestine, as in those of all mountainous countries. Where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprang up ( ἐξανέτειλεν ). They shot up quicker than the thorns in Matthew 13:7 ( ἀνέβησαν ) . Because they had no deepness of earth. read more
And when the sun was up ( ἀνατείλαντος ) . It can hardly be accidental that the Greek suggests the contrast between the springing up of the seeds and of the sun's rays. They were scorched; and because they had not root, they withered away (cf. John 15:6 ). read more
And some fell among thorns; upon the thorns (Revised Version); which were sure to be close by (cf. Jeremiah 4:3 ). And the thorns sprang up ( grew up, Revised Version, ἀνέβησαν ), and choked them. Whether brambles or merely spinous weeds are here referred to is not certain. Even the former might be comparatively low in sowing time, and only as they "grew up" cause serious injury to the wheat. read more
But other fell into ( upon the, Revised Version) good ground, and brought forth ( yielded, Revised Version, ἐδίδου ); for effort is not implied. Contrast ἐποίησεν in Luke and Matthew 7:18 , note. Fruit, some an hundred fold, some sixty fold, some thirty fold. In Mark the numbers increase. Is this due to a desire to avoid even the semblance of a contradiction to αὐξανόμενα , that there precedes? In Luke "hundredfold" alone comes, the difference that exists even in... read more
Who hath ears to hear (Revised Version omits to hear ) , let him hear. So in all the accounts. Observe that it is not only a call to understand the parable, but is in itself a summary of the chief lesson of the parable. (On the phrase, see Matthew 11:15 , note.) read more
Matthew alone in this form. In Luke the disciples asked our Lord what the parable was; in Mark, more generally, they "asked of him the parables." Whether the question as given by St. Matthew was actually spoken by the disciples or not, the Lord's answer, the substance of which is the same in all three accounts, suggests that it at least represents their thoughts. St. Matthew probably wishes to bring out with special clearness, by his version of their words, the point of our Lord's reply. And... read more
The reason for the use of parables. It is not sufficiently observed that our Lord adopted the parabolic style only after he had been teaching for some time. His earlier discourses are full of illustrations, and they set truth in paradoxical sentences which excite thought and inquiry; but the parabolic was a new method of hiding truth for a while, and from some, which was called for by certain results attending Christ's teachings. It should be clearly seen that the parable is designed to... read more
The reason w hy Christ spoke to the multitudes in parables. The question of the disciples ( Matthew 13:10 ). Christ's antithesis—You are the recipients of God's gift; they are not ( Matthew 13:11 ). This is not arbitrary, but in accordance with a universal law ( Matthew 13:12 ). They have not been using their faculties, and therefore they are thus judged, in accordance with the words of Isaiah (verses 13-15). The privilege of the disciples further insisted upon (verses 16,... read more
The reason of the parable. After our Lord had discoursed in parables to the multitude assembled on the seashore, his disciples inquired of him why he used that mode of teaching, for hitherto he had spoken in simple and explicit language. The reply shows that the design was— I. TO EVINCE THE SPIRITUALITY OF SAVING TRUTH . 1 . It is a mystery to be revealed. 2 . It is still mystery when revealed. 3 . The revelation is blessed. II. TO LIMIT THE ... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:4
And when (as, Revised Version) he sowed, some seeds ( ἂ μέν ). Here (cf. Matthew 13:5 , Matthew 13:7 , Matthew 13:8 ) the seeds are, so to speak, each singled out. But in the parallel passages they are viewed as one whole ( ὃ μέν ). Fell by the wayside. Along the road ( παρὰ την ), which evidently was at no mere corner of the field, but ran for some distance by or through it. And the fowls ( birds, Revised Version, as in modern English) came and devoured them... read more