14 The sower soweth the word. 15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. 18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. 20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred. (Mark 4:14-20 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
BURKITT : | Mr 4:1-2 | Mr 4:3-9 | Mr 4:10-13 | Mr 4:14-20 | Mr 4:21-25 | Mr 4:26-29 | Mr 4:30-34 | Mr 4v35-41 | KJV Comm
Here our Saviour applies himself to interpret and explain the foregoing parable: the seed is the word, the sower is the preacher, and the soil is the heart and soul of man.
Christ compares some hearers to the highway ground, in which the seed lies uncovered for the want of the harrow of meditation.
Others to stony ground, in which the word has no root. No root in their understandings, in their memories, wills, and affections: but they are instantly offended, either at the depth and profoundness of the word, or at the sanctity and strictness of the word, or else at the plainness and simplicity of it.
Again, some hearers our Lord compares to thorny ground: worldly and covetous desires are as thorns choking the good seed: they shadow the blade when sprung up, keep off the influences of the sun, and draw away the fatness of the soil from the seed.
All these mischievous effects have thorns among the seed. And the like ill effects have worldly affections and covetous desires in the soul of man, rendering the seed of the word unfruitful and unprofitable. But the good Christian hears the word attentively, keeps it retentively, believes it steadfastly, applies it particularly, practises it universally, and brings forth fruit perseveringly.
Learn, 1. That no hearers are in Christ’s account good hearers of the word, but such as bring forth fruit answerable to their hearing.
2. That a person may be a good hearer of the word in Christ’s account, if he brings forth the best fruit he can, though it be not in so great a proportion as others do.
As some grounds bring forth thirty, some sixty and some a hundred-fold; in like manner do all sincere hearers of the word. They all bring forth fruit, though not all alike; all in sincerity, though not all equally, and none to perfection.
It is Theophylact’s note on the place: “How small is the number of good men, and how few are saved! For only the fourth part of the seed fell upon good ground and was preserved.”
Others observe a gradation here: the seed sown in the highway comes not up at all; that on the stony ground comes up, but increaseth not; that among thorns increaseth, but bears no fruit; only that seed which fell on good ground brings forth fruit unto perfection.