MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN-THE SEVEN PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM. Matt. 13:1-57

May 15, 2019

Key: SCHAFF: “When the Lord open his mouth, we should open our ears and hearts”

THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER continues Matt. 13:3-9, 18-23.

“The idea of this parable as a whole is, that as the same grain yielded variously, according to the character and preparation of the soil which received it, so the same word of truth produces various effects according to the way in which it is received. The soil was not responsible if it was trampled, or rocky or thorny; but men are accountable for hearing the word improperly.

  1. The four types of ground continues.
  2. The stony ground.  Matt. 13:5-6. These receive the word and make some good impressions, but they are not lasting Matt. 13:20-21. “It is possible we may be a great better than some others,…and yet come short of heaven.” Henry
  3. He received the word with joy.  It is more of ‘boisterous joy than those which are genuine and deep. Such joy may be from erroneous notions of religion, with the elation of self-righteousness and spiritual pride Jn. 6:15, 22, 66, or from the excitement of natural feeling by touching allusions and fervid appeals’ Broadus John A
  4. They have no root in themselves. That is ‘no settled, fixed principles in their judgments, no form of resolution in their wills…nothing firm that will be either the sap or strength of their profession.’ Henry 
  5. When tribulation or persecution arise because of the word, he is offended. Tribulation represented in the parable by the ‘scorching sun’. That is pressure from outside; such as opposition, attack, ostracism, oppression, scourging, pillaging and so on. Jn. 16:33, Act. 14:22, Rom. 5:3, 1Thess. 3:4, Rev. 1:9. It will shake some and confirm others.
  6. The thorny ground. Some fell among the thorns. Matt. 13:7, 18, 23. What are these choking thorns?
  7. The cares of this world. That is anxiety of this world Matt. 6:25, 2Cor. 11:28. ‘Have loved this present world’ 2Tim. 4:10. Matt. 6:31-32.
  8. The goods endowments, riches, pleassure. 1 Jn. 2:15; 3:17-“the world’s goods”, Matt. 16:26, 1Cor. 7:31-“the fashion of the world”. Also abstract things which are spiritual & moral (immoral) 1Cor. 2:12 spirit or wisdom 3:19, fashion-1Cor. 7:31 Lust, corruption Tit. 2:12, 2Pet. 1:4; 2:20, Jas. 1:27.
  9.  The world is hostile to God since the fall.1Cor. 1:21-“knew not God”, Jn. 15:18-“hated Christ”; 14:17; 7:7-“Its works are evil”, Jas. 4:4.
  10. Is controlled by the devil.“The prince of this world”Jn. 12:31; 14:30; 16:11, 1 Jn. 4:4; 5:19-“lieth in the evil one”,Lk. 4:5-6, Eph. 2:1-3.