Matt. 13 Matt. 13:1–9 The parable of the sower. Matt. 13:10–17 Why Christ taught in parables. Matt. 13:18–23 The exposition of the parable of the sower. Matt. 13:24–30 The parable of the tares, Matt. 13:31–32 of the grain of mustard seed, Matt. 13:33–35 of the leaven. Matt.

Mark saith, Mark 4:1, He began again to teach by the seaside: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.

There is some difference in the terms used by Mark and Luke in their relations of this parable, Mark 4:3–8, Luke 8:4–8; but none that are material, nor much to be considered by us, being they are in the parable.

Luke saith, Luke 8:9, His disciples asked him, saying, what might this parable be? Mark saith, Mark 4:10, When he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.

Mark saith, Mark 4:11, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables. Luke saith no more than, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables. Only, Matt.

Neither Mark nor Luke hath this, but it directly followeth from what they have, which also followeth here; only here it is plainly asserted concerning these hearers, and given as a reason why our Lord spake to them in parables.

These words of the prophet are not less than five times found in the New Testament (besides by Matthew in these verses) applied to the Jews. They are taken out of Isaiah, Isa. 6:9–10; And he said, Go and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.

Luke repeateth this passage, Luke 10:23, but not as annexed to this parable. Blessed are your eyes; the eyes of your bodies and of your minds. With the eyes of your bodies you have seen the promised Messias, come in the flesh; and you have seen the works which I have done, confirming me to be the…

Mark addeth a little check he gave them, Mark 4:13, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? Luke saith, The parable is this, that is, My meaning in and by the parable was this.

Mark hath this thus, Mark 4:14–15, The sower soweth the word. 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. Luke hath it thus, Luke 8:11–12, The seed is the word of God.

Both Mark and Luke have this with no difference, save only in words, Mark 4:16–17, Luke 8:13. What Matthew calleth stony ground, Luke calls the rock. By the sun being up, and scorching the seed, in the parable, our Saviour meant tribulation or persecution, which Luke calleth a time of temptation,…

Mark adds, Mark 4:19, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word. Luke saith, Luke 8:14, And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares, and riches, and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

Mark saith much the same, Mark 4:20. Luke saith, Luke 8:15, But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. To make a good Christian all these things must concur: 1. A hearing of the word. 2.

Here are three parables by the evangelist put together before he cometh to the explication which our Saviour giveth of the first; all of them concerning the gospel church, and the dispensation of the gospel.

Christ spake all the aforementioned things to the multitude, and also to his disciples, in parables, dark sayings, covering Divine and spiritual truths with fit and proper similitudes; and at this time he delivered himself wholly in this manner to them, though at other times he spake more plainly.

The multitude went away (as most people do from sermons) never the wiser, understanding nothing of what they heard, nor caring to understand it. But there was a more conscientious part of our Saviour’s auditory, who could not thus satisfy themselves; they follow Christ into the house, and entreat…

The design that Christ had in this parable was to show them, that though he laid a good foundation of a church in the world, calling some home to himself; and making them partakers of his effectual grace, laying the foundation of his gospel church in such as took his yoke upon them; yet in process…

As in the common practice of men, when they have a mind to pick their corn, and have it clean, when it is reaped, to set men to clean the wheat, and to pick out the tares, and, having tied them up in bundles, to burn them, so (saith he) I will do.

Whatsoever belongeth to the kingdom of God, whether the word, which is called the word of the kingdom, or the grace and favour of God, which he by me dispenses out under the administration of the gospel, is like, that is, should be adjudged, esteemed, and used like as treasure hid in a field.

The state of the gospel dispensation is such, that men in it having a discovery of more excellent things than before they were aware of, life and immortality being brought to light through the gospel, 2 Tim.

The scope of this parable is much the same with that of the tares, to teach us, that while the church is in this world there will be in it a mixture of good and bad, a perfect separation of which one from another is not to be expected until the day of judgment. Again, the kingdom of heaven.

A conscientious teacher will have a respect to the profit of his hearers. Christ here setteth us an example, asking his disciples if they had understood all these things; as well those parables of which he had given them no particular explication, as those he had explained.

Seeing you understand these things, communicate your knowledge of them unto others, do not know for yourselves alone. Every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven.

Mark relates this passage, Mark 6:1–4. Our Lord went up and down preaching the gospel: he having preached unto the people in the former parables, now he departeth from the seaside, where he preached as before, into his own country, most interpreters judge Nazareth; he was born in Bethlehem, but we…

Mark saith the same, Mark 6:3; only he saith, Is not this the carpenter? ο τεκτων; which leadeth some to think that Christ, till he was thirty years of age, wrought with Joseph upon his trade. Luke 2:51, it is said, that he came to Nazareth, and was subject to his parents.

Mark saith, Mark 6:4–6, But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.