Matthew 13:1-9 , Matthew 13:18-23
The Parable of the Sower.
Notice the various obstacles which successively meet the seed and mar its fruitfulness.
I. The wayside. There is a condition of heart which corresponds to the smoothness, hardness, and wholeness of a frequented footpath that skirts or crosses a ploughed field. The spiritual hardness is like the natural in its cause as well as in its character. The place is a thoroughfare; a mixed multitude of this world's affairs tread over it from day to day, and from year to year. The soil, trodden by all comers, is never broken up and softened by a thorough self-searching. Owing to its hardness, it does not take the seed into its bosom.
II. The stony ground. A human heart, the soil on which the sower casts his seed, is in itself and from the first hard both above and below; but by a little easy culture, such as most people in this land enjoy, some measure of softness is produced on the surface. Among the affections, when they are warm and newly stirred, the seed speedily springs. Many young hearts, subjected to the religious appliances which abound in our time, take hold of Christ and let Him go again. In the rich young man the seed sprang hopefully, but it withered soon; he did not lightly part with Christ, but he parted; he was very sorrowful, but he went away.
III. The thorns. In the application of the lesson this term must be understood not specifically, but generically. In the natural object it indicates any species of useless weed that occupies the ground and injures the growing crop; in the spiritual application it points to the worldly cares, whether they spring from poverty or wealth, which usurp in a human heart the place due to Christ and His saving truth. (1) Thorns and thistles occupying the field suck in the sap which should go to nourish the good seed, and leave it a living skeleton. (2) Thorns and thistles, favoured as indigenous plants by the suitableness of soil and climate, outgrow the grain both in breadth and height.
IV. The good ground. While all the ground that was broken, deep and clean in spring and summer, bears fruit in harvest, some portions produce a larger return than others. While all believers are safe in Christ, each should covet the best gifts.
W. Arnot, The Parables of our Lord,p. 43.
References: Matthew 13:1. H. W. Beecher, Christian World Pulpit,vol. x., p. 395.Matthew 13:1-3. Expository Outlines on the New Testament,p. 32.Matthew 13:1-8. Clergyman's Magazine,vol. i., p. 24.Matthew 13:1-23. Parker, Inner Life of Christ,vol. ii., p. 225; A. B. Bruce, Parabolic Teaching of Christ,p. 14.Matthew 13:1-52. Ibid., The Training of the Twelve,p. 44.