Verklaring van de evangelische parabolen

Division.

§. XIX. To understand this Parable, it is required, first, that the subjects between which the comparison is made, with their relations and agreements that exist between them, be well known. Secondly, that the various effects of those subjects, in relation to the various states or qualities upon which they can work, be considered.

Sub-parts of the first part.

§. XX. The material subject of the entire Parable is the seed. The related things to it are two, namely, the earth in which it is sown, and the sower who sows it. Which things, because they occur and are generally known, it is not necessary to dwell upon them.

The seed is God's Word.

§. XXI. The formal subject, or that which is signified by the seed, Jesus Christ himself shows in verse 19 to be the Word of the Kingdom, namely, of the heavens. Which manner of speaking of the koningryk der hemelen kingdom of the heavens often occurs in this Chapter. verses 24, 44, 45, 47. If this (a) Kingdom is now understood as that state of the Church which, being placed in full freedom, is subject only to God and Jesus Christ. Thus one must understand by the Word of the Kingdom that Word of Grace, in which the nature, privileges, and conditions, or laws, of that spiritual and heavenly Kingdom are presented and explained: otherwise called the Euangelium des Koningryks Gospel of the Kingdom. Matthew 4:23, 24. Which Word, as being the Word of Grace and of truth, is contrasted with the word of the law, through which the Church was formerly brought under bondage. John 1:17. For the Law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

The earth is the mind of man.

§. XXII. By the earth, which receives the seed, Jesus Christ teaches that one must understand the human being, insofar as he is provided with an ability and power to hear and understand God’s Word. verse 19. Whereby hearing is not merely intended to signify the outward hearing, through which he receives the sound of the preaching in his ears; (which man has in common with the beasts) but through which

he also receives it in some measure in his understanding or grasp, without it yet penetrating to his heart, that is, his will and affection. But by the word "understand," sunienai to comprehend/perceive, is made known that activity of the human being through which he distinguishes, accepts, and approves that truth as lovely and becoming of God, through a discreet judgment. Which powers, since they belong in the human being to his soul or mind, it appears that by the earth, in this Parable, is especially understood the soul or the mind of the human being.

The Sower is a Teacher of the Word.

§. XXIII. And who is to be understood by the Sower, (although Jesus Christ does not say that explicitly) can easily be perceived from the agreement of the other parts of the Parable; namely, all those who publicly preach the word of grace. For the hearing of the word is related to the preaching. (a) Romans 10:14. Now Jesus Christ and the Apostles were the first who administered the Word of the Gospel to others, through the public preaching thereof in the Synagogue. (b) Hebrews 2:3. Thus they must, in the first place, be understood by this Sower.

Agreements.

§. XXIV. And Kingdom, there is a great and neat agreement between the things that Jesus Christ compares with each other in this Parable; in which his wisdom shines forth in no small way. Which agreement in general, and in particular, can be pointed out.

I. In general.

§. XXV. In general: Just as the seed, through God’s providence (which has assigned to each thing its properties, uses, and ends), is suited to the earth as the only subject and tool in the world that can receive it, and make the principle of life that is in the seed active, and as it were draw it out, and in a hidden manner bring it about that the seed takes root and sprouts, and grows into visible corn, and shows itself high above the earth for the usefulness and use of many; so also all instruction, all truth that becomes known to man through public or private preaching, and especially the Word of Grace, is suited by God to the soul and the mind of man as to its earth; for the soul alone is that subject

(a) The Kingdom of Heaven. See regarding that, at length, our Work on Luke 16:16. §. 299 to 406. And one must well note that the Kingdom of the heavens, that is, the Church of the New Testament, is sometimes taken and considered in its internal state, insofar as only the reborn and true believers belong to it. John 3:5. and sometimes in its external condition, insofar as all those who are outwardly in the Church by birth, confession, etc., belong to it. Which shall come to pass more than once in the explanation of the other Parables of this Chapter.

(a) Romans 10:14. How shall they believe [in him] of whom they have not HEARD? And how shall they HEAR without one who PREACHES? and verse 17. So then FAITH is from HEARING, and HEARING through the Word of GOD.

(b) Hebrews 2:3. The Gospel of salvation began to be proclaimed by the LORD, and was confirmed to us by THOSE who heard Him.