Mat 13:3-23 | RWP | e4.org | Many things in parables ( πολλα εν παραβολαις ). It was not the first time that Jesus had used parables, but the first time that he had spoken so many and some of such length. He will use a great many in the future as in Luke 12 to 18 and Matt. 24 and 25. The parables already mentioned in Matthew include the salt and the light ( ), the birds and the lilies ( ), the splinter and the beam in the eye ( ), the two gates ( .), the wolves in sheep's clothing ( ), the good and bad trees ( ), the wise and foolish builders ( ), the garment and the wineskins ( .), the children in the market places ( .). It is not certain how many he spoke on this occasion. Matthew mentions eight in this chapter (the Sower, the Tares, the Mustard Seed, the Leaven, the Hid Treasure, the Pearl of Great Price, the Net, the Householder). Mark adds the Parable of the Lamp ( ; ), the Parable of the Seed Growing of Itself ( ), making ten of which we know. But both Mark ( ) and Matthew ( ) imply that there were many others. "Without a parable spake he nothing unto them" ( ), on this occasion, we may suppose. The word parable ( παραβολη from παραβαλλω , to place alongside for measurement or comparison like a yardstick) is an objective illustration for spiritual or moral truth. The word is employed in a variety of ways (a) as for sententious sayings or proverbs ( ; ; ; ; ), for a figure or type ( ; ); (b) a comparison in the form of a narrative, the common use in the Synoptic Gospels like the Sower; (c) "A narrative illustration not involving a comparison" (Broadus), like the Rich Fool, the Good Samaritan, etc. "The oriental genius for picturesque speech found expression in a multitude of such utterances" (McNeile). There are parables in the Old Testament, in the Talmud, in sermons in all ages. But no one has spoken such parables as these of Jesus. They hold the mirror up to nature and, as all illustrations should do, throw light on the truth presented. The fable puts things as they are not in nature, Aesop's Fables, for instance. The parable may not be actual fact, but it could be so. It is harmony with the nature of the case. The allegory ( αλληγορια ) is a speaking parable that is self-explanatory all along like Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress . All allegories are parables, but not all parables are allegories. The Prodigal Son is an allegory, as is the story of the Vine and Branches ( ). John does not use the word parable, but only παροιμια , a saying by the way ( ; , ). As a rule the parables of Jesus illustrate one main point and the details are more or less incidental, though sometimes Jesus himself explains these. When he does not do so, we should be slow to interpret the minor details. Much heresy has come from fantastic interpretations of the parables. In the case of the Parable of the Sower ( ) we have also the careful exposition of the story by Jesus ( ) as well as the reason for the use of parables on this occasion by Jesus ( ). Behold, the sower went forth ( ιδου ηλθεν ο σπειρων ). Matthew is very fond of this exclamation ιδου . It is "the sower," not "a sower." Jesus expects one to see the man as he stepped forth to begin scattering with his hand. The parables of Jesus are vivid word pictures. To understand them one must see them, with the eyes of Jesus if he can. Christ drew his parables from familiar objects.

‏ Matthew 13:3-23

Many things in parables ( πολλα εν παραβολαις ). It was not the first time that Jesus had used parables, but the first time that he had spoken so many and some of such length. He will use a great many in the future as in Luke 12 to 18 and Matt. 24 and 25. The parables already mentioned in Matthew include the salt and the light (5:13-16), the birds and the lilies (6:26-30), the splinter and the beam in the eye (7:3-5), the two gates (7:13f.), the wolves in sheep's clothing (7:15), the good and bad trees (7:17-19), the wise and foolish builders (7:24-27), the garment and the wineskins (9:16f.), the children in the market places (11:16f.). It is not certain how many he spoke on this occasion. Matthew mentions eight in this chapter (the Sower, the Tares, the Mustard Seed, the Leaven, the Hid Treasure, the Pearl of Great Price, the Net, the Householder). Mark adds the Parable of the Lamp (Mr 4:21; Lu 8:16), the Parable of the Seed Growing of Itself (Mr 4:26-29), making ten of which we know. But both Mark (Mr 4:33) and Matthew (13:34) imply that there were many others. "Without a parable spake he nothing unto them" (Mt 13:34), on this occasion, we may suppose. The word parable ( παραβολη from παραβαλλω, to place alongside for measurement or comparison like a yardstick) is an objective illustration for spiritual or moral truth. The word is employed in a variety of ways (a) as for sententious sayings or proverbs (Mt 15:15; Mr 3:23; Lu 4:23; 5:36-39; 6:39), for a figure or type (Heb. 9:9; 11:19); (b) a comparison in the form of a narrative, the common use in the Synoptic Gospels like the Sower; (c) "A narrative illustration not involving a comparison" (Broadus), like the Rich Fool, the Good Samaritan, etc. "The oriental genius for picturesque speech found expression in a multitude of such utterances" (McNeile). There are parables in the Old Testament, in the Talmud, in sermons in all ages. But no one has spoken such parables as these of Jesus. They hold the mirror up to nature and, as all illustrations should do, throw light on the truth presented. The fable puts things as they are not in nature, Aesop's Fables, for instance. The parable may not be actual fact, but it could be so. It is harmony with the nature of the case. The allegory ( αλληγορια ) is a speaking parable that is self-explanatory all along like Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. All allegories are parables, but not all parables are allegories. The Prodigal Son is an allegory, as is the story of the Vine and Branches (Joh 15). John does not use the word parable, but only παροιμια, a saying by the way (Joh 10:6; 16:25, 29). As a rule the parables of Jesus illustrate one main point and the details are more or less incidental, though sometimes Jesus himself explains these. When he does not do so, we should be slow to interpret the minor details. Much heresy has come from fantastic interpretations of the parables. In the case of the Parable of the Sower (13:3-8) we have also the careful exposition of the story by Jesus (18-23) as well as the reason for the use of parables on this occasion by Jesus (9-17).

Behold, the sower went forth ( ιδου ηλθεν ο σπειρων ). Matthew is very fond of this exclamation ιδου. It is "the sower," not "a sower." Jesus expects one to see the man as he stepped forth to begin scattering with his hand. The parables of Jesus are vivid word pictures. To understand them one must see them, with the eyes of Jesus if he can. Christ drew his parables from familiar objects.

As he sowed ( εν τω σπειρειν αυτον ). Literally, "in the sowing as to him," a neat Greek idiom unlike our English temporal conjunction. Locative case with the articular present infinitive.

By the wayside ( παρα την οδον ). People will make paths along the edge of a ploughed field or even across it where the seed lies upon the beaten track.

Devoured ( κατεφαγεν ). "Ate down." We say, "ate up." Second aorist active indicative of κατεσθιω (defective verb).

The rocky places ( τα πετρωδη ). In that limestone country ledges of rock often jut out with thin layers of soil upon the layers of rock.

Straightway they sprang up ( ευθεως εξανετειλεν ). "Shot up at once" (Moffatt). Double compound ( εξ, out of the ground, ανα, up). Ingressive aorist of εξανατελλω.

The sun was risen ( ηλιου ανατειλαντος ). Genitive absolute. "The sun having sprung up" also, same verb except the absence of εξ ( ανατελλω, εξανατελλω ).

The thorns grew up ( ανεβησαν α ακανθα ). Not "sprang up" as in verse 5, for a different verb occurs meaning "came up" out of the ground, the seeds of the thorns being already in the soil, "upon the thorns" ( επ τας ακανθας ) rather than "among the thorns." But the thorns got a quick start as weeds somehow do and "choked them" ( απεπνιξαν αυτα, effective aorist of αποπνιγω ), "choked them off" literally. Luke (Lu 8:33) uses it of the hogs in the water. Who has not seen vegetables and flowers and corn made yellow by thorns and weeds till they sicken and die?

Yielded fruit ( εδιδου καρπον ). Change to imperfect tense of διδωμ, to give, for it was continuous fruit-bearing.

Some a hundredfold ( ο μεν εκατον ). Variety, but fruit. This is the only kind that is worth while. The hundredfold is not an exaggeration (cf. Ge 26:12). Such instances are given by Wetstein for Greece, Italy, and Africa. Herodotus (i. 93) says that in Babylonia grain yielded two hundredfold and even to three hundredfold. This, of course, was due to irrigation as in the Nile Valley.

He that hath ears let him hear ( ο εχων ωτα ακουετω ), So also in 11:15 and 13:43. It is comforting to teachers and preachers to observe that even Jesus had to exhort people to listen and to understand his sayings, especially his parables. They will bear the closest thought and are often enigmatical.

Why speakest thou unto them in parables? ( δια τ εν παραβολαις λαλεις αυτοις ). Already the disciples are puzzled over the meaning of this parable and the reason for giving them to the people. So they "came up" closer to Jesus and asked him. Jesus was used to questions and surpassed all teachers in his replies.

To know the mysteries ( γνωνα τα μυστηρια ). Second aorist active infinitive of γινωσκω. The word μυστηριον is from μυστης, one initiated, and that from μυεω ( μυω ), to close or shut (Latin, mutus). The mystery-religions of the east had all sorts of secrets and signs as secret societies do today. But those initiated knew them. So the disciples have been initiated into the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. Paul will use it freely of the mystery once hidden, but now revealed, now made known in Christ (Ro 16:25; 1Co 2:7, etc.). In Php 4:12 Paul says: "I have learned the secret or been initiated" ( μεμυημα ). So Jesus here explains that his parables are open to the disciples, but shut to the Pharisees with their hostile minds. In the Gospels μυστηριον is used only here and in the parallel passages (Mr 4:11; Lu 8:10).

Because seeing ( οτ βλεποντες ). In the parallel passages in Mr 4:12 and Lu 8:10 we find ινα with the subjunctive. This does not necessarily mean that in Mark and Luke ινα=οτ with the causal sense, though a few rare instances of such usage may be found in late Greek. For a discussion of the problem see my chapter on "The Causal Use of Hina" in Studies in Early Christianity (1928) edited by Prof. S.J. Case. Here in Matthew we have first "an adaptation of Isa 6:9f. which is quoted in full in v. 14f." (McNeile). Thus Matthew presents "a striking paradox, 'though they see, they do not (really) see'" (McNeile). Cf. Joh 9:41. The idiom here in Matthew gives no trouble save in comparison with Mark and Luke which will be discussed in due turn. The form συνιουσιν is an omega verb form ( συνιω ) rather than the μ verb ( συνιημ ) as is common in the Koine.

Is fulfilled ( αναπληρουτα ). Aoristic present passive indicative. Here Jesus points out the fulfilment and not with Matthew's usual formula ( ινα or οπως πλωρηθη το ρηθεν (see 1:22). The verb αναπληροω occurs nowhere else in the Gospels, but occurs in the Pauline Epistles. It means to fill up like a cup, to fill another's place (1Co 14:16), to fill up what is lacking (Php 2:30). Here it means that the prophecy of Isaiah is fully satisfied in the conduct of the Pharisees and Jesus himself points it out. Note two ways of reproducing the Hebrew idiom (infinitive absolute), one by ακοη the other by βλεποντες. Note also the strong negative ου μη with aorist subjunctive.

Is waxed gross ( επαχυνθη ). Aorist passive tense. From παχυς, thick, fat, stout. Made callous or dull -- even fatty degeneration of the heart.

Dull of hearing ( τοις ωσιν βαρεως ηκουσαν ). Another aorist. Literally, "They heard (or hear) heavily with their ears." The hard of hearing are usually sensitive.

Their eyes they have closed ( τους οφθαλμους αυτων εκαμμυσαν ). The epic and vernacular verb καμμυω is from καταμυω (to shut down). We say shut up of the mouth, but the eyes really shut down. The Hebrew verb in Isa 6:10 means to smear over. The eyes can be smeared with wax or cataract and thus closed. "Sealing up the eyes was an oriental punishment" (Vincent). See Isa 29:10; 44:18.

Lest ( μηποτε ). This negative purpose as a judgment is left in the quotation from Isaiah. It is a solemn thought for all who read or hear the word of God.

And I should heal them ( κα ιασομα αυτους ). Here the LXX changes to the future indicative rather than the aorist subjunctive as before.

Blessed are your eyes ( υμων δε μακαριο ο οφθαλμο ). A beatitude for the disciples in contrast with the Pharisees. Note position of "Happy" here also as in the Beatitudes in Mt 5.

Hear then ye the parable ( υμεις ουν ακουσατε την παραβολην ). Jesus has given in 13:13 one reason for his use of parables, the condemnation which the Pharisees have brought on themselves by their spiritual dulness: "Therefore I speak to them in parables" ( δια τουτο εν παραβωλαις αντοις λαλω ). He can go on preaching the mysteries of the kingdom without their comprehending what he is saying, but he is anxious that the disciples really get personal knowledge ( γνωνα, verse 11) of these same mysteries. So he explains in detail what he means to teach by the Parable of the Sower. He appeals to them (note position of υμεις ) to listen as he explains.

When anyone heareth ( παντος ακουοντος ). Genitive absolute and present participle, "while everyone is listening and not comprehending" ( μη συνιεντος ), "not putting together" or "not grasping." Perhaps at that very moment Jesus observed a puzzled look on some faces.

Cometh the evil one and snatcheth away ( ερχετα ο πονηρος κα αρπαζε ). The birds pick up the seeds while the sower sows. The devil is busy with his job of snatching or seizing like a bandit or rogue the word of the kingdom before it has time even to sprout. How quickly after the sermon the impression is gone. "This is he" ( ουτος εστιν ). Matthew, like Mark, speaks of the people who hear the words as the seed itself. That creates some confusion in this condensed form of what Jesus actually said, but the real point is clear.

The seed sown in his heart ( το εσπαρμενον εν τη καρδια αυτου, perfect passive participle of σπειρω, to sow) and "the man sown by the wayside" ( ο παρα την οδον σπαρεις, aorist passive participle, along the wayside) are identified. The seed in the heart is not of itself responsible, but the man who lets the devil snatch it away.

Yet hath he not root in himself ( ουκ εχε δε ριζαν εν εαυτω ). Cf. Col 2:7 and Eph 3:18 ερριζωμεμο. Stability like a tree. Here the man has a mushroom growth and "endureth for a while" ( προσκαιρος ), temporary, quick to sprout, quick to stumble ( σκανδαλιζετα ). What a picture of some converts in our modern revivals. They drop away overnight because they did not have the root of the matter in them. This man does not last or hold out.

Tribulation ( θλιψεως ). From θλιβω, to press, to oppress, to squeeze (cf. 7:14). The English word is from the Latin tribulum, the roller used by the Romans for pressing wheat. Cf. our "steam roller" Trench (Synonyms of the N.T., pp. 202-4): "When, according to the ancient law of England, those who wilfully refused to plead, had heavy weights placed on their breasts, and were pressed and crushed to death, this was literally θλιψις." The iron cage was στενοχωρια.

Choke the word ( συνπνιγε τον λογον ). We had απεπνιξαν (choked off) in 13:7. Here it is συνπνιγε (choke together), historical present and singular with both subjects lumped together. "Lust for money and care go together and between them spoil many an earnest religious nature" (Bruce), "thorns" indeed. The thorns flourish and the character sickens and dies, choked to death for lack of spiritual food, air, sunshine.

Verily beareth fruit ( δη καρποφορε ). Who in reality ( δη ) does bear fruit (cf. Mt 7:16-20). The fruit reveals the character of the tree and the value of the straw for wheat. Some grain must come else it is only chaff, straw, worthless. The first three classes have no fruit and so show that they are unfruitful soil, unsaved souls and lives. There is variety in those who do bear fruit, but they have some fruit. The lesson of the parable as explained by Jesus is precisely this, the variety in the results of the seed sown according to the soil on which it falls. Every teacher and preacher knows how true this is. It is the teacher's task as the sower to sow the right seed, the word of the kingdom. The soil determines the outcome. There are critics today who scout this interpretation of the parable by Jesus as too allegorical with too much detail and probably not that really given by Jesus since modern scholars are not agreed on the main point of the parable. But the average Christian sees the point all right. This parable was not meant to explain all the problems of human life.