Mat 13:1-23 | Family | STEP | Seaside ; the sea of Galilee.

‏ Matthew 13:1-23

Seaside; the sea of Galilee. Ship; a small vessel or fishing-boat Parables; the parables of Christ were descriptions of natural things, for the purpose of illustrating spiritual things. The seven parables recorded in this chapter all relate to the kingdom of heaven among men. See note on Chap Mt 3:2. They are both illustrations of its nature and prophecies of its progress. Wayside; where the ground was not ploughed, and the seed sown not covered. Careless hearers receive no benefit from the word of truth, though it be preached ever so faithfully. Stony places; where the rocks were but slightly covered with earth. To be savingly benefited by the preaching of the gospel, it is not enough that persons admit its truths, that their feelings are excited, that they are greatly distressed on account of sin, or that they have a hope of salvation, and are exceedingly joyful. They must take Christ for their teacher and pattern; must trust in him for salvation; and whatever it may cost them, must perserve in obeying him to the end. Because they had no root; the roots could not go down deep enough to obtain the moisture needful for their growth. Thorns; parts of the field which had not been cleared.

Choked; so shaded and exhausted in the ground as to prevent the grain from yielding increase. Supreme devotion to this world, whatever by a man's feelings and conduct in other respects, will prevent all saving efficacy of the gospel; and as long as it is continued, will exclude from the soul the love of God. 1Jo 2:15. Good Ground; rich soil, and well prepared. Notice the gradation in respect to these four kinds of soil. In the first, the seed perishes without even springing up; in the second, it springs up, but withers away; in the third, it springs up and bears fruit, but not to perfection; in the fourth, it yields a harvest of perfect grain. Why speakest thou--in parables? the question shows that this was the first time he had addressed the multitudes in this manner. Compare with this chapter the sermon on the mount, in which there are only similitudes intermingled with plain address. You; his disciples, who loved him and desired to understand his teaching.

The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; the deep truths respecting the dispensation of the gospel, which had not before been revealed, or were revealed only in part, and which Christ opened plainly to his disciples.

To them; to the multitudes without the circle of his disciples.

Is not given; to know these mysteries. The hinderance to their receiving this knowledge is stated in verse Mt 13:13. Hath; hath some knowledge of these mysteries.

Shall be given; more knowledge. It is a practical knowledge of which the Saviour speaks, implying love towards him, and a desire to understand the truths which he taught.

Hath not; hath not knowledge, because he hath neither love towards me nor desire to know my truth.

Even that he hath; his present opportunities and privileges for knowing the truth. The Saviour here lays down a general principle of deep and solemn import, which all who hope to be saved would do well to ponder in their hearts. The way to have more light and grace is to make a diligent improvement of what is now granted to us. Seeing, see not; have faculties and opportunities, but do not rightly use them; of course do not understand the truths which they do not desire to know. The ignorance, dulness, and prejudices which come from such a wrong state of heart, made it proper that the Saviour should veil his instructions in parables, which the careless and indifferent would neglect, but the earnest and humble would search into and understand. In them is fulfilled; the language of Isaiah is a description of their case. Isa 6:9,10.

Not perceive; not perceive the spiritual meaning of his words, because, as expressed in the next verse, they shut their eyes against the light. They were not converted, and not saved, as they might have been, had they loved the truth and desired to know it. They see--they hear; with good effect. They loved the truth and desired to know it, and to them a knowledge of it was communicated. Things which ye see--hear; things done by the Messiah, and truths taught by him. The parable; understand the meaning of it. It represents four classes of hearers: the thoughtless, the fickle, the worldly, and the truly pious. The word of the kingdom; the truths of the gospel.

Understandeth if not; because he does not properly attend to it. This represents thoughtless, careless, and stupid hearers. Anon; immediately; and as we are elsewhere taught, without either understanding or counting the cost of Christ's service. Compare Lu 14:25-33. Root in himself; true Christian principle.

Offended; discouraged, loses the interest which he once felt in the gospel, and turns back. This represents the fickle: persons of quick feelings, easily excited, and who for a time appear to be much engaged. But they are unstable, easily turned aside by difficulties, and so give up, and become more hardened than before. Unfruitful; destitute of good works. He does not live a life of piety towards God, and of beneficence towards men. This represents the worldly-minded man, who is so occupied with the things of time, that he has no heart to attend to the salvation of his soul, or the souls of his fellow-men. Beareth fruit; he receives the truth into the heart, and acts under its abiding influence. This represents the pious, the friends of God and men. They are all useful, but some more so than others. These truths, as to the various effects of the gospel, it was important that his disciples, who were to be preachers of it, should understand. They desired to understand them, and to them the understanding of them was given; while to his opposers, who did not wish to understand them, it was not given.