Matthew 13:9 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Ver. 4-9. There is some difference in the terms used by Mark and Luke in their relations of this parable, Mark 4:3-8, and Luke 8:4-8; but none that are material, nor much to be considered by us, being they are in the parable. I shall when I come to it more exactly consider what differences there are betwixt the evangelists in the terms they use in the explication which our Saviour giveth us of the parable; which he did not give before the multitude, but when he was alone, saith Mark, Mark 4:10. That which our Saviour spoke to the whole multitude was this. Now whether there were indeed any such sower, yea or no, is not at all material: our Saviour's design was not to inform them in a matter of fact, but of the different success of the preaching of the word; and for this purpose he brought this similitude, leaving the generality of the hearers to study out his meaning, concluding, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear; which is an epiphonema, or conclusion of a speech, we met with before, and spake something to.