Explanation of the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:13-20 *, Luke 8:11-15).
Little need be added to what is said on p. 686. The parable no doubt reflects the experience of Jesus. Like the sower He, in His work of preparing the people for the Kingdom, encounters difficulties of different kinds and partial failure. Much of His preaching has been thrown away. Yet He is not daunted; the reward is sure. When the Kingdom comes, the work will be justified and its disappointments forgotten. These ideas are further illustrated by the other parables of the chapter.
Note that Mt. somewhat modifies the hard saying of Mark 4:11 f. Jesus uses parables not to blind the Jews, but, since they have no capacity for Divine truth, to leave them in the dark, while the disciples who have faith (Matthew 13:12) grasp the inner meaning.
Matthew 13:10. mysteries: Mt. prefers plurals. Jewish apocalyptic literature often speaks of certain eschatological ideas as mysteries or secrets revealed to the elect. Cf. Ephesians 1:9 *.
Matthew 13:16 f., not in Mk., is in a better context in Luke 10:23 f. In Mk. the disciples ask the meaning of the parables and are reproved, in Mt. they ask why parables are used and are congratulated.