TEXT [Commentary]

C. Jesus Explains the Parable of the Sower (13:18-23)

18 “Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: 19 The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. 20 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 21 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. 22 The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. 23 The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

NOTES

13:18 listen to the explanation. This section (13:18-23) is an example of the disciples’ getting more understanding of the Kingdom, as Jesus promised in 13:11-12. After speaking of the blessedness of those who heard what the disciples heard, Jesus began to explain the parable of the sower by telling them to “hear” it (cf. Mark 4:13-20; Luke 8:11-15). The NLT’s “listen” tends to obscure this play on words. The following verses simply lay out the four types of soil in order and explain their spiritual significance as portraying four responses to the message about the Kingdom.

13:19 The seed that fell on the footpath. This is the seed beside the path that was eaten by birds; it represents a superficial hearing of the Kingdom message that is thwarted by the evil one, Satan (cf. Jubilees 11:11-12).

13:20-21 The seed on the rocky soil. The seed that sprouted in shallow soil and withered in the sun represents a fickle hearing of the message, where initial enthusiasm turns to apostasy (24:10) due to problems or persecution (cf. 5:11-12; 10:16-25; 23:34-36; 24:9-13).

13:22 The seed that fell among the thorns. The seed that sprouted and grew but was choked by thorns represents a promising hearing of the message that ends due to competition from secular concerns, especially greed (cf. 6:19-34). Each of the first three types of soil successively represents more growth, from the seed snatched before it sprouts to the wilted sprouts to the choked plants, but in none of them is there any fruit.

13:23 The seed that fell on good soil. Only the fourth soil produces fruit, which in Matthew signifies genuine discipleship (3:8-10; 7:16-20; 12:33; 21:19, 34, 41, 43). It is significant that fruit is borne only when there is understanding of the message (21:19, 23). As pointed out in 13:13-15, such understanding (or the lack of it) is a matter of both God’s sovereignty and human responsibility.

COMMENTARY [Text]

As noted above in the introduction to Matthew 13, Jesus’ detailed interpretation of the parable of the sower invalidates the popular idea that a parable has only a single point of reference to reality. Although the central point is clearly the reception of the Kingdom message, several signifying details add depth and detail to this central point. Apparently Jesus himself is the sower, but the parable has immediate application to the disciples’ ministry and further application to the church’s proclamation.

The first three types of soil successively outline three factors that hinder the reception of the Kingdom message: Satan, persecution, and greed. Satanic opposition is pictured as effective when the seed falls on the hard ground beside the path, which probably represents hearts hardened by both human sin and divine abandonment (13:15; cf. 9:4; 12:34; 15:8, 18, 19; 24:48). Persecution is effective when there is an immediate joyful reception of the message, evidently a solely emotional response, lacking the “root” of intellectual understanding (13:21). Greed and secular concerns are also effective in thwarting the reception of the Kingdom message, evidently when the demands of discipleship confront a materialistic lifestyle (13:22; cf. 6:19-34; 16:24-26; 19:23). In light of this, preachers of the gospel will do well to warn their listeners of the eternal danger of having a heart hardened to God and pliable to Satan. Similarly, a heart open to shallow, emotional influences but closed to deep understanding of the Kingdom easily turns from God when troubles arise. Finally, a heart that is easily attracted to worldly concerns and wealth is a heart that is soon distracted from the message of the Kingdom.

Another crucial question here is whether only the good ground (13:23) represents a genuine disciple of the Kingdom or whether others who bear no fruit should be viewed as genuine, though unproductive, disciples. This is the so called “Lordship salvation” debate. There are those whose belief in “eternal security” leads them to conclude that any reception of the gospel, even that eventually thwarted by Satan, persecution, or worldliness, amounts to a genuine reception that infallibly leads to eternity with God. But this will not do for Matthew, who teaches consistently that “fruit” is a test of genuine discipleship (3:8-10; 7:16-20; 12:33; 21:19, 34, 41, 43). However, it is also important to note that there are degrees of fruitbearing (13:23), a factor that should lead those who stress discipleship to avoid legalism and perfectionism. One cannot set up human standards for discipleship and authoritatively condemn would-be disciples as unbelievers. Neither can one expect mature discipleship overnight, as it were, since godliness, like fruitbearing, involves a growing season before there can be a harvest.

In the flow of Matthew’s narrative, 13:1-23 provides an explanation for the rejection experienced by Jesus in Matthew 11–12 (Davies and Allison 1991:402-403). The message has come to many, but relatively few have received it and borne fruit. The very next parable and its interpretation (13:24-33, 36-43) make it clear that this mixed response to the Kingdom will continue until the end of the age. This is explained in part by the wickedness and unbelief of humans but is still ultimately attributed to God’s mysterious and sovereign purpose.