14 Explanation of the Parable | of the Sower. Matth. XIII. 15

The earth must be cleansed of degenerate particles if it is to receive seed and bring forth fruit. This cleansing must occur through plowing and harrowing; furrows must be made in the earth to receive the seed that will be sown; and finally, it must be watered and further cultivated. Such earth is an excellent symbol of a person's mind: 1. Which is by nature evil and empty, due to the misconceptions and desires that have become mixed into the soul though the soul is good in itself and in its origin after the fall of our first ancestors; indeed, with which the soul of man is entirely filled. 2. From which errors, misconceptions, and evil desires the mind must be freed if it is ever to yield fruit. 3. And this is done by the Word of the Gospel itself, insofar as it not only announces grace but also pronounces God's judgments; through the meditation of which the mind is as if cut through and pierced (a) Acts 2:37. 4. And thus being cut through and cleansed of prejudices, and furrows being made in the soul, as it were, it receives the word of grace that is proclaimed in the Gospel into and within itself.

c. The Sower is a Preacher.

§. XXIX. III. And there is no less a correspondence between the Proclaimers of the Gospel and the Sowers. For (b) a Sower must have seed, and that in great abundance. He must scatter it in the earth that is properly prepared; where the weeds are pulled, which is cleansed of all degenerate and naughty matter, and which is provided with furrows. And further, he must water the sowing, drive away the birds from it, and constantly keep a watchful eye over his crop. All of which, although it requires much care, labor, and diligence, yet he can contribute nothing in this except that which is outward, but must with patience await the fruit of his labor from above. Which, if he obtains it, he gathers it in with great joy

joy and cheerfulness. Thus it is also with a Minister of the Gospel. I. He must be abundantly provided with the word of righteousness (a) 2 Timothy 2:15. II. That word he must make common through preaching, and as it were scatter it abroad. 1 Corinthians 3:6. III. While he does this, he is said to labor like a Farmer. (b) 2 Timothy 2:6. IV. Moreover, he must with patience await the blessing from God. V. Which fruit he finally gathers with joy, when he is satisfied and rejoices in the fruits of good works wrought by the believers; among which are also counted the proofs of love and gratitude toward the Ministers of the Gospel. Psalm 126:5, 6. Those who sow with tears shall reap with shouts of joy. He who carries the seed to be sown goes along weeping: [but] surely he shall come again with shouts of joy, carrying his sheaves. See also 2 Timothy 2:6.

Division of the second Part. vs. 4-8.

§. XXX. However, since there can be a different condition of the human mind, as of an earth, in relation to the seed that is received; and the sown seed has various effects and outcomes in the earth, the purpose of the Teacher Jesus Christ in this Parable is primarily to list those various cases of the seed distinctly. To this end, he mentions four qualities of the Hearers of the Word of grace, which he presents very aptly and step-by-step in this order: he indicates that there are Hearers who do not receive the word at all. Others, who receive it somewhat and in a small measure; others, a bit more and deeper, but in whom it is choked by thistles and thorns: and finally, that there are also those in whom the preaching is properly received and brings forth an abundant and desired fruit.

The first case of the seed.

vs. 4. And when he sowed, some [seed] fell by the way: and the fowls came and devoured it up.

The

(a) Acts 2:37. When they HEARD this, they were PIERCED in the heart. And said to Peter and the other Apostles: what shall we do, Men and Brethren? katanygēsan they were pierced/pricked, from the word typtō to strike, nyssō to pierce. Which is used in John 19:34 of the piercing of the side of Christ Jesus with a spear. Which meaning becomes even stronger through the prefix kata down/completely. Hesychius katanygēsan, lelypēntai they were saddened/grieved. Significat dolorem, quo animus hominis ceu lancinatur It signifies a pain by which the human soul is as if mangled. H. Stephanus.

(b) See also some correspondences between a Sower and a Proclaimer of the Gospel in our explanation of the parable Mark 4:26-29. §. 32-33.

(a) 2 Timothy 2:15. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 1:13. Keep the pattern of sound words.

(b) 2 Timothy 2:6. The Farmer, when he LABORS, must thus enjoy the fruits.