Matthew 13:7

Mat_13:7; Mat_13:22

And some fell among thorns.

1. Thorns and thistles occupying the field suck in the sap which should go to nourish the good seed. The capability of the ground is limited.

2. Thorns and thistles favoured as indigenous plants by the suitability of soil and climate outgrow the grain. The thorns are at home, the wheat is an exotic.

3. Anxieties about work, clothes, etc., become the thorn plants, harmless in appearance at first, which in the end may choke the seed of grace in your heart.

4. Worldly cares nursed by indulgence into a dangerous strength are further like thorns growing in a corn field, in that they interpose a veil between the ace of Jesus and the opening, trustful look of a longing soul. The seed must be exposed to the sun.

5. As long as weeds live they grow. They must be cast out of the field.

6. The thorn is a prickly thing; it tears the husbandmans flesh, as well as destroys the fruit of his field. (W. Arnot.)

The deceitfulness of riches

Greek mythology tells of one who, being offererd a valuable reward if successful in a race, resolved to outstrip all competitors. But, alas I she did not, and why? Because enemies ever and anon flung pieces of gold just before her. The temptation was too strong; as often as she saw the glittering coins she stopped to pick them up, and so lost the prize. A picture that of some who start on the spiritual course; they forfeit the recompense because they stop to pick up gold. The deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

The deceitfulness of riches

1. Riches are deceitful in the insidious growth which they promote of the desire for wealth, quite independent of what it is worth in its positive power.

2. In the transition from a normal desire for wealth to the fervour of avarice, there is great danger of deception among men.

3. Wealth is deceitful in taking the place of legitimate enjoyments in life.

4. The relative growth of the selfish over the generous.

5. In the gradual development of self-esteem and self-sufficiency.

6. In an entire perversion which takes place in the minds of men.

7. Wealth deceives men by promises. (H. W. Beecher.)

Worldliness

In gold there is a halter: in silver there is bird-lime; in the farm there is a bond; in the love of the world there is a chain. While we search for gold we are strangled; while for silver we stick fast; while we seize upon the farm, we are taken prisoners. (Ambrose.)

The soul has a limited capacity for growth

There is nutriment enough in the ground for thorns, and enough for wheat; but not enough, in any ground, for both wheat and thorns. The agriculturist thins his nursery-ground, and the farmer weeds his field, and the gardener removes the superfluous grapes, for that very reason: in order that the dissipated sap may be concentrated in a few plants vigorously. So in the same way, the heart has a certain power of loving. But love, dissipated on many objects, concentrates itself on none. God or the world-not both. No man can serve two masters. If any man love the world, the love of the ]Father is not in him. He that has learned many accomplishments or sciences, generally knows none thoroughly. Multifariousness of knowledge is commonly opposed to depth-variety of affections is generally not found with intensity. (F. W. Robertson.)

The word choked

A merchant of-, engaged in a lucrative trade, was convinced by the Spirit of God that he was an heir of hell, but might, by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, become an heir of heaven. The god of this world tempted him with much earthly gain; and God, in the Person of the Holy Ghost, offered him durable riches and righteousness. He was fully convinced, as he said, that the riches of earth and the riches of heaven were set before him, and that he could not obtain both, but might take his choice. He glanced at heavens durable riches, and then settled his covetous gaze on earths glittering tinsel. He paused, feeling his choice was for eternity; but, at length, strangely, madly cried, Give me my portion here. His prayer was answered-his fiches were multiplied; but, said he, I know that to gain the world, I have lost my soul.

Deceitfulness of riches

Some years ago, when preaching at Bristol, amongst other notes I received to pray for individuals, one was this: A person earnestly desires the prayers of the congregation, who is prospering in trade. Ah, said I to myself, here is a man who knows something of his own heart, and who has read the Scriptures to some purpose. (W. Jay.)

Riches like thorns

Riches are like thorns: they may be touched, but not rested upon. Canst thou set thy heart upon a thorn without piercing thyself through with many sorrows? (Venning.)

The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Mat 13:7. Ἀνέβησαν αἱ ἄκανθαι, the thorns sprang up) beyond the crop itself. They had not before then grown so high. Those who have heard the Word, yet do not grow in good, turn their strength to increase in evil.

Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament — English translation (T&T Clark, Edinburgh, 1860) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Mat 13:7 . ἐπὶ τὰς ἀκάνθας . Fritzsche prefers the reading ἐις because the seed fell not on thorns already sprung up, but on ground full of thorn seeds or roots. But the latter idea, which is the true one, can be expressed also by ἐπὶ . ἀνέβησαν : the thorns sprang up as well as the corn, and growing more vigorously gained the upper hand. ἔπνιξαν . Euthy. Zig. finds this idea in ἀνέβησαν , for which he gives as synonym ὑπερίσχυσαν .

The Expositor's Greek Testament, edited by W. Robertson Nicoll (1897–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Verse 7. Among thorns] Where the earth was ploughed up, but the brambles and weeds had not been cleared away.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(7) Among thorns.—Literally, the thorns, so familiar to the husbandman. These were not visible at the time of sowing. The ground had been so far cleared, but the roots were left below the surface, and their growth and that of the grain went on simultaneously, and ended in the survival, not of the fittest, but of the strongest. The ears shot up, and did not die suddenly, as in the preceding case, but were slowly strangled till they died away.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

7. thorns sprung up] The scholar will remember that Vergil mentions among the “plagues” of the wheat,

“Ut mala culmos

Esset robigo segnisque horreret in

arvis Carduus.”

Georg. i:150–153.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And some fell among thorns,.... On a spot of ground which was full of the roots of thorns, and briars, which was not cleared of them as it should be. We often read (e) of , "a field cleared of thorns"; but such was not this piece of ground, it was overrun with them, not on the surface of the earth, but within it: for it follows,

and the thorns sprung up: naturally, being neither sown nor planted; either before the seed, or, at least, as soon; and however grew faster, and higher,

and choked them; so that they came to nothing; hence the advice, "sow not among thorns", Jer 4:3 and a lost kindness, or what is bestowed in vain, is expressed in this proverbial manner (f), , "thy beneficence is taken away, and cast among thorns": these point out such hearers who seemed to be contrite, to have the low ground of their hearts broken up, their consciences tender, and to have a true sense of sin, as well as to be outwardly reformed; and yet inwardly were full of the thorns of sinful lusts, particularly of the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches, the lusts of other things, and the pleasures of this life, which rendered the word useless and unfruitful; see Mat 13:22 all which are comparable to thorns; it is hardly possible to be in the midst of, and meddle with these, without being scratched by them; they pierce, afflict, and wound, even where they have not their greatest power and influence; and where they do prevail, and get the ascendant, as they are fruitless themselves, they make others so too; they choke the word, and make that, and all ordinances, and opportunities, useless, and unserviceable. Thorns are a part of the earth's curse for the sin of man; and such persons in whom thorny cares and lusts prevail, as they are like unto the earth which beareth thorns, so, as that, they are rejected, and nigh to cursing, whose end is to be burned in everlasting flames of divine wrath and fury, Heb 6:8.

(e) Misn. Sheviith, c. 4. sect. 2. T. Hieros. Sheviith, fol. 34. 3. & 35. 1. T. Bab. Bechorot, fol. 34. 2. (f) T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 63. 2. Bava Kama, fol. 83. 1. Cetubot, fol. 53. 2. & Betza, fol. 29. 2.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

Ver. 7. {See Trapp on "Mat 13:5"}

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

7. Some fell among thorns — Briers and brambles in hot countries have a quick and plentiful overgrowth. They crowd and choke every other form of vegetation.

“Every one who has been in Palestine must have been struck with the number of thorny shrubs and plants that abound there. The traveller finds them in his path, go where he may. Many of them are small, but some grow as high as a man’s head. The Rabbinical writers say that there are no less than twenty-two words in the Hebrew Bible denoting thorny and prickly plants. The prevalence of such shrubs, say agriculturists, shows a luxuriant soil. If proper care be not taken they soon get the upper hand, and spread in every direction. ‘I went by the field of the slothful; and lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof.’ Pro_24:30-31.” — Prof. Hackett.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And some fell among thorns; upon the thorns (Revised Version); which were sure to be close by. (cf. Jer_4:3) And the thorns sprang up (grew up, Revised Version, anebhsan ), and choked them. Whether brambles or merely spinous weeds (on their abundance, see Tristram, "Nat. Hist. of Bible," p. 423, edit. 1889) are here referred to is not certain. Even the former might be comparatively low in sowing time, and only as they "grew up" cause serious injury to the wheat.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

7. And some fell among thorns. More literally, into the thorns. The traveler, to-day, finds Palestine literally a land of thorns, of thistles, brambles, and thorny bushes. Thorns grew up … choked them. Or, as Wycliffe renders it, The thorns sprang up and strangled it. The thorns suffocated the growing plant.

B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.

Connecting Statement:

Jesus finishes telling a parable about a person who sows seeds.

fell among the thorn plants

"fell where plants with thorns grew"

choked them

"choked the new sprouts." Use your word for the way weeds prevent other plants from growing well.

produced a crop

"grew more seeds" or "gave fruit"

some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty

The words "seeds," "produced," and "crop" are understood from the previous phrase. These can be expressed clearly. AT: "some seeds produced one hundred times as much crop, some seeds produced sixty times as much crop, and some seeds produced thirty times as much crop" (See: Ellipsis)

one hundred ... sixty ... thirty

"100 ... 60 ... 30" (See: Numbers)

He who has ears

This is a way of referring to everyone there who was hearing what Jesus was saying. See how you translated this in Matthew 11:15. AT: "Whoever can hear me" (See: Idiom)

listen

Here "listen" represents paying attention. See how you translated this in Matthew 11:15. AT: "pay attention to what I am saying" (See: Metonymy)

translationWords

seed

thorn

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

7. αἱ ἄκανθαι. Virgil mentions among the ‘plagues’ of the wheat,

‘Ut mala culmos

Esset robigo segnisque horreret in arvis

Carduus.’

Georg. I. 150–153.

7. σαγήνη. A drag-net or seine (the English word comes from the Greek through sagena of the Vulgate). One end of the seine is held on the shore, the other is hauled off by a boat and then returned to the land. In this way a large number of fishes of all kinds is enclosed. Seine-fishing is still practised on the coasts of Devonshire and Cornwall.

The teaching of this parable partly coincides with that of the parable of the Tares (Mat 13:24-30). In both are exhibited the mixture of good and evil in the visible Church, and the final separation of them. But here the thought is specially directed to the ingathering of the Church. The ministers of Christ will of necessity draw converts of diverse character, good and evil, and actuated by different motives. From the parable of the tares we learn not to reject any from within the Church, in the hope of expelling the element of evil. It is a parable of the settled Church. This is a missionary parable. It teaches that as a matter of history or of fact, no barrier or external test will serve to exclude the unworthy convert.

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

7.] ἐπὶ τ. ἀκ. = εἰς τὰς ἀκ. Mark; = ἐν μέσῳ τῶν ἀκ. Luke. In places where were the roots of thorns, beds of thistles, or such like.

ἀνέβησαν.… καί = συμφυεῖσαι Luke; ἀπέπν. = συνέπν, Mark, who adds καὶ καρπὸν οὐκ ἔδωκεν.

Henry Alford, The Greek Testament (1849–1861) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

(M) 7. And others fell upon the thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.] Mk. has: “And other (sing.) fell into the thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it gave no fruit.”—ἄλλα δέ for Mk.’s καὶ ἄλλο, as Often.—ἀπέπνιξαν] Mk. has συνέπνιξαν. In Mt. א D have the simple verb, which occurs also in 18:28, Mar 5:13. ἀπέπνιξαν may be an assimilation to Lk.

International Critical Commentary — older volumes (1896–1929), various authors — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Sprang up. The seed, therefore, fell, not among standing thorns, but among those beneath the surface, ready to spring up.

Trench (" Parables ") cites a striking parallel from Ovid, describing the obstacles to the growth of the grain :

"Now the too ardent sun, now furious showers, With baleful stars and bitter winds combine The crop to ravage; while the greedy fowl Snatch the strown seeds; and grass with stubborn roots, And thorn and darnel plague the ripening grain."

Metamorposes, 5, 486.

Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (1887–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.