CRITICAL NOTES
Matthew 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 Matthew 13:23, R.V.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Matthew 13:18-23
The art of hearing.—We have before us here the Saviour’s own explanation (Matthew 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 (Matthew 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 Matthew 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 (Matthew 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 Matthew 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” (Matthew 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 (Matthew 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” (Matthew 13:7; Matthew 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” (Mark 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 Matthew 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” (Mark 14:8).