13:3 parables. This is the first mention of “parables” in the New Testament. This parable of the sower is preeminently important among all of Jesus’ parables. In the parallel account in Mark, He made this clear: “Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?” (Mark 4:13).

13:4 seeds. The “seeds” which are being sown are the word of God (Luke 8:11), and the “field” in which they are to be sown is the whole world (Matthew 13:38).

13:4 way side. The parallel account in Luke says these seeds on the wayside were “trodden down” (Luke 8:5).

13:4 fowls. These birds of the air, eating up the seed before it can take root, represent the minions of “the wicked one” (Matthew 13:19), whether evil spirits or ungodly men, who do all they can to destroy the message of God’s Word.

13:5 no deepness of earth. Luke 8:6 says also that this stony ground “lacked moisture.” The sown seed, which is the Word of God, must also be watered by the Word (I Corinthians 3:6).

13:6 no root. Although the sower was right to scatter seed everywhere, it would have been more effective if he had first removed the stones (i.e., intellectual or other stumbling-stones inhibiting faith in the Word), then also watered the ground. Without this preparation, even though the seed sprang up “forthwith,” it did not last. It is sadly true that “instant conversions” more often than not are superficial and fade away in the heat of persecution, or even mere intellectual peer pressure.

13:8 an hundred fold. It is noteworthy that the very first reference in the Bible to seed-sowing speaks of Isaac’s seed as bringing forth in the very year that he sowed “an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him” (Genesis 26:12). The promise of spiritual fruit from spiritual seed is found throughout the Bible (e.g., Ecclesiastes 11:1,4-6; Isaiah 55:10-11; John 4:37-38; I Corinthians 3:6-8).

13:8 thirtyfold. This suggested threefold division of fruit-bearing indicates that even when seed-sowers are careful to sow on good ground (that is, in hearts properly prepared to receive the Word), the hearers can be categorized in three groups. There are other examples of this threefold division in Scripture. In His parable of the vine, Jesus spoke of bearing “fruit,” “more fruit” and “much fruit” (John 15:2,5). He indicated, too, that the “much fruit” category is for those who “die” to this world (John 12:24-25). Peter speaks of a three-fold categorization of rewards—“praise and honour and glory” (I Peter 1:7). “Every man shall have [his] praise of God” (I Corinthians 4:5), and “if any man serve me, him will my Father honour” (John 12:26). But “if ye be reproached for the name of Christ,…the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you” (I Peter 4:14). Note also how God pared Gideon’s small army of 32,000 (facing 135,000 Midianites) first down to 10,000 then to 300 (Judges 7:3,6; 8:10) before they were ready to fight the enemy. Among Christians there were believers, disciples (that is, believers who were also learners and followers), and apostles (that is, “sent ones,” disciples who were also called and sent forth for special ministries of full dedication, witness and sacrifice). The fruitful Christian life can also be characterized as, first, “separation” from the world, then “service” for the Lord, and then “suffering” for His sake.

13:19 the wicked one. Compare II Corinthians 4:3-4. “The god of this world” (i.e., Satan) blinds the minds of unwilling unbelievers.

13:20 with joy. This hearer’s response is emotional rather than knowledgeably volitional. He hears what seems to be a happy release from his troubles and fears, and so receives Christ immediately and joyfully. But there is no root—or foundation—for his purely experiential faith. He feels good about it for a while, but salvation comes not through feelings.

13:21 because of the word. Unbelievers do not persecute believers because of their joyful feelings, but because of Christ and the Word. Emotional believers who have no grounding in the solid truth of the Word, and not knowing why they believe, cannot resist attacks of unbelievers (and of Satan) on their professed faith.

13:21 offended. Luke 8:13 adds that he will “fall away.”

13:22 deceitfulness of riches. Mark 4:19 adds “…and the lusts of other things.” Not just worldly cares and riches, but time-absorbing interests (sports, music, etc.) in anything other than the kingdom of God will prevent the believer from bringing any “fruit to perfection” (Luke 8:14).

13:23 understandeth. Mark says they both “hear the word, and receive it” (Mark 4:20). Matthew says also they understand it. The account in Luke is even more specific. These productive hearers, “in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience [endurance]” (Luke 8:15).