But he that received the seed upon good ground, is he that heareth the word, and understandeth, and beareth fruit, and yieldeth the one an hundredfold, and another sixty, and another thirty.
ο δε επι την γην την καλην σπαρεις ουτος εστιν ο τον λογον ακουων 191 και συνιων ος δη καρποφορει και ποιει ο μεν εκατον ο δε εξηκοντα ο δε τριακοντα
12 Church Fathers comment on this verse · 20 commentaries
There are various forms of virtue, and distinct individuals who shine in these areas. Observe the structured progression within the parable. Initially, we are called to listen to and comprehend the Word, so we do not resemble those who wander along the path. Next, we must firmly hold onto what we have received, ensuring we are not consumed by greed. Consider this: what value is there in hearing and retaining the message if we allow covetousness to suppress it?
Some think that this is to be understood as though the saints according to the degree of their merits delivered some thirty, some sixty, some an hundred persons; and this they usually suppose will happen on the day of judgment, not after the judgment. But when this opinion was observed to encourage men in promising themselves impunity, because that by this means all might attain to deliverance, it was answered, that men ought the rather to live well, that each might be found among those who were to intercede for the liberation of others, lest these should be found to be I so few that they should soon have exhausted the number allotted to them, and thus there would remain many unrescued from torment, among whom might be found all such as in most vain rashness had promised themselves to reap the fruits of others.
Otherwise; There is fruit an hundred-fold of the martyrs because of their satiety of life or contempt of death; a sixty-fold fruit of virgins, because they rest not warring against the use of the flesh; for retirement is allowed to those of sixty years’ age after service in war or in public business; and there is a thirty-fold fruit of the wedded, because theirs is the age of warfare, and their struggle is the more arduous that they should not be vanquished by their lusts. Or otherwise; We must struggle with our love of temporal goods that reason may be master; it should either be so overcome and subject to us, that when it begins to rise it may be easily repressed, or so extinguished that it never arises in us at all.
Whence it comes to pass, that death itself is despised for truth’s sake, by some with brave endurance, by others with content, and by others with gladness—which three degrees are the three degrees of fruits of the earth—thirty-fold, sixty-fold, and an hundred-fold. And in one of these degrees must one be found at the time of his death, if any desires to depart well out of this life.
It is certain that the Lord spoke the things which the Evangelist has recorded; but what the Lord spake was a parable, in which it is never required that the things contained should have actually taken place.
Or, The hundred-fold fruit is to be ascribed to virgins, the sixty-fold to widows and continent persons, the thirty-fold to chaste wedlock.
For the joining together of the hands, as it were in the soft embrace of a kiss, represents husband and wife. The sixty-fold refers to widows, who as being set in narrow circumstances and affliction are denoted by the depression of the finger; for by how much greater is the difficulty of abstaining from the allurements of pleasure once known, so much greater is the reward. The hundredth number passes from the left to the right, and by its turning round with the same fingers, not on the same hand, it expresses the crown of virginitya.
Note that which is said, is straightway offended. There is then some difference between him who, by many tribulations and torments, is driven to deny Christ, and him who at the first persecution is offended, and falls away, of which He proceeds to speak, That which is sown among thorns. To me He seems here to express figuratively that which was said literally to Adam; Amidst briers and thorns thou shalt eat thy bread, (Gen. 3:18) that he that has given himself up to the delights and the cares of this world, eats heavenly bread and the true food among thorns.
And it is elegantly added, The deceitfulness of riches choke the word; for riches are treacherous, promising one thing and doing another. The tenure of them is slippery as they are borne hither and thither, and with uncertain step forsake those that have them, or revive those that have them not. Whence the Lord asserts, that rich men hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven, because their riches choke the word of God, and relax the strength of their virtues.
And it is to be noted, that as in the bad ground there were three degrees of difference, to wit, that by the way side, the stony and the thorny ground; so in the good soil there is a three-fold difference, the hundred-fold, the sixty-fold, and the thirty-fold. And in this as in that, not the substance but the will is changed, and the hearts as well of the unbelieving as the believing receive seed; as in the first case He said, Then cometh the wicked one, and carrieth off that which is sown in the heart; and in the second and third case of the bad soil He said, This is he that heareth the word. So also in the exposition of the good soil, This is he that heareth the word. Therefore we ought first to hear, then to understand, and after understanding to bring forth the fruits of teaching, either an hundred-fold, or sixty, or thirty.
What is sown in fertile ground represents the individual destined to be marked. This person truly comprehends, residing within the innermost being, untainted by wickedness. Therefore, Mark expressed, ‘They that hear the word and accept it,’ while Luke stated, ‘They that hear the word with a noble and good heart retain it.’ The heart is frequently synonymous with the soul.
Rightly are they called thorns, because they lacerate the soul by the prickings of thought, and do not suffer it to bring forth the spiritual fruit of virtue.
The thirty-fold then is borne of him who teaches faith in the Holy Trinity; the sixty-fold of him who enforces the perfection of good works; (for in the number six this world was completed with all its equipments;) (Gen. 2:1) while he bears the hundred-fold who promises eternal life. For the number one hundred passes from the left hand to the right; and by the left hand the present life is denoted, by the right hand the life to come. Otherwise, the seed of the word of God brings forth fruit thirty-fold when it begets good thoughts, sixty-fold when good speech, and an hundred-fold when it brings to the fruit of good works.
In these words the Lord explains what the seed is, to wit, the word of the kingdom, that is of the Gospel teaching. For there are some that receive the word of the Lord with no devotion of heart, and so that seed of God’s word which is sown in their heart, is by dæmons straightway carried off, as it were the seed dropped by the way side. It follows, That which is sown upon the rock, is he that heareth the word, &c. For the seed or word of God, which is sown in the rock, that is, in the hard and untamed heart, can bring forth no fruit, inasmuch as its hardness is great, and its desire of heavenly things small; and because of this great hardness, it has no root in itself.
And it should be known, that in these three sorts of bad soil are comprehended all who can hear the word of God, and yet have not strength to bring it forth unto salvation. The Gentiles are excepted, who were not worthy even to hear it. It follows, That which is sown on the good ground. The good ground is the faithful conscience of the elect, or the spirit of the saints which receives the word of God with joy and desire and devotion of heart, and manfully retains it amid prosperous and adverse circumstances, and brings it forth in fruit; as it follows, And brings forth fruit, some a hundred-fold, some sixty-fold, some thirty-fold.
Another seed falls on fertile soil, and it is this that yields a harvest. Similarly, when the word of God is received by those with pure hearts, it produces fruit, resulting in yield of ‘some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.’ This demonstrates to you, believer: the individual who wishes to serve God and offer the fruit of His word faces various trials, as it is stated, ‘Child! If you come to serve the Lord God, prepare your soul for temptation’ (Sir. 2:1). Therefore, one must persevere through all challenges with steadfast patience. For this reason, the holy Evangelist notes that ‘when they hear the word, they hold it fast in an honest and good heart and bear fruit with patience’ (Luke 8:15). Thus, those who wish to produce fruit from the word of God must possess patience.
Human efforts are frail without divine assistance. An earthly field, which represents the human heart, cannot bond with the heavenly seed to yield fruit on its own. It requires the strength and support of the heavenly Creator, Jesus Christ, who proclaims, ‘Without Me you can do nothing’ (John 15:5). Therefore, anyone who wishes to cultivate the fruit of God’s word must earnestly pray for the Lord to foster and manifest the fruit of His word within our hearts. ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you; for everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened’ (Matthew 7:7-8). With such fervent desire, the psalmist implores throughout Psalm 118 that God Himself will guide him in the path of His commandments and that His word will bring forth fruit. O Lord, Jesus Christ, the eternal Word of Your Father, assist us. Although the earth where the seed is sown may be good, it cannot yield fruit unless warmed by the sun's rays and nourished by rain. In the same way, even when the seed of God's word falls on a receptive heart, it will not bear fruit unless it is warmed by the warmth of divine grace and refreshed by the heavenly dew. Thus, just as sown seeds require sunlight and rain to thrive, the word of God must be accompanied by God's grace to be fruitful. This is why St. David expresses, ‘I walked in the way of Thy commandments, when Thou hast enlarged my heart’ (Psalm 118:32). Therefore, we ought to continually cry out to the Lord, that He may warm and nurture our hearts with His grace. We rely on God's grace every hour and every moment. Without it, we will stumble and fall like infants who have not yet learned to walk. ‘Thy mercy shall follow me all the days of my life’ (Psalm 22:6). O Lord, uphold us by Your mighty hand in the path of Your commandments, strengthen us, and guide us.
SOWN ON FERTILE LAND refers to a person who hears and comprehends the Word, diligently seeking the sacred truth with full devotion and maintaining it within a sincere and pure heart. Such an individual experiences unity of spirit; he earnestly seeks to uproot all sinful inclinations residing deep within him. He examines his heart attentively and remains prepared at every moment to extinguish any sympathy for sin, regardless of the discomfort it may bring him. In this individual, the message of salvation discovers a welcoming environment; it deeply establishes its roots in his heart, yielding a bountiful harvest. He is nurtured according to his zeal, with some producing a hundredfold, others sixty, and still others thirty.
This is how the Divine Sower elucidates the parable concerning the seed. He illustrates that God’s salvation involves the cooperation of humanity; God instills His life-giving word of grace within one's heart, while individuals must receive this holy seed and purify their hearts of all impurities. The strength of grace is from God, while the aspiration towards Him arises from the human heart. Sinful habits, much like thorns and thistles, can smother noble desires within the soul; yet, no sin can thwart God's mercy. The heavenly seed differs from terrestrial seeds in its ability to effect profound change in the heart's soil, turning it tender and removing the very roots of evil, provided the individual allows it to flourish and refrains from fostering weeds of immoral desires. "Do not harden your hearts," warns Blessed Augustine, "lest the Word of God fall to waste within them. Do not soil the good ground so that love may not take root. Do not stifle the good seed that our labor sows within you due to worldly anxieties and passions. For the Lord plants the seed, and we are His workers; strive to be good soil."
Reflecting on this parable, St. John Chrysostom posits: "From where did the Omnipresent and All-Sufficient One emerge? It was not through a physical location that He drew near, but through His will and care, when He took on flesh. Our sins had obscured our access to Him, thus He came to us. What was His purpose in coming? To obliterate the land overrun with thorns? To punish the laborers? No. He came to diligently cultivate the soil and sow the word of righteousness upon it." "The seed," notes Blessed Theophylact, "is called by the Lord as His own, for the prophets sowed seeds not of their own but of God; yet He, as God, sows His own seed since He is the very wisdom of God, not made wise through grace." St. Chrysostom further asserts that Jesus Christ presented His teachings universally. Why, then, did much of the seed fail to flourish? It was not due to the Sower, but because the earth—symbolizing souls—was inattentive. He refrains from detailing specific failings, like those of the careless, the affluent, or the complacent, to avoid overwhelming them with condemnation, instead granting a light rebuke aimed at the conscience of each listener. Jesus offers this parable to encourage His disciples, ensuring they do not grow despondent, despite the likelihood of many who receive their message ultimately failing. Even knowing the outcomes, the Lord continued to sow His seed.
Is it wise to plant amidst thorns, on rocky ground, or along a path? Certainly, one could criticize the farmer for such choices, for a stone cannot transform into soil, nor can a path become fertile ground, and thorns cannot change their nature; yet with sentient beings, transformation is possible. A stone may become productive earth, a path might not remain trampled, and thorns might be cleared to allow seeds to thrive. For if transformation were impossible, Jesus would not have sown. If change does not occur in all, it is not the Sower’s fault but rather those unwilling to accept growth. If the ground is suitable, the Sower is consistent, and the seeds the same, why then does one seed yield a hundredfold while another produces sixty, and yet another thirty? This illustrates the variability even among receptive soil. These distinctions in individuals are determined not by their nature but by their will. This reveals the profound compassion of God, as He does not expect uniformity in virtue but welcomes each heart’s response in its own measure. Why did He mention the burdens of this world and the deceitfulness of riches? He encompassed all within these terms, for both vanity and other temptations are products of temporal concerns. If the adversary is predatory, it is our responsibility to safeguard against his plundering. If the seed dies, it is not due to the scorching sun, as it withers only because it lacks roots. If the Word is stifled, it is not because of thorns, but due to those who allow it to languish. For it is indeed possible to curtail the growth of such unfruitful plants from their inception and to rightly utilize wealth. Thus, Jesus Christ did not speak of the ‘age’ merely, but of the 'sorrow of the age'; He did not mention 'riches' indiscriminately, but referred to the 'deceitfulness of riches.'
Let us not lay blame on the circumstances themselves but on corrupted will. One can possess riches without being swayed by them; it is feasible to live in this age without being overwhelmed by its concerns. In His mercy, the Lord has not delineated the path solely, nor declared that only those yielding a hundredfold shall be spared, but reassures that anyone who produces sixty or thirtyfold shall also find mercy. Therefore, if you find the challenge of virginity overwhelming, marry and uphold chastity. If you cannot entirely part with your wealth, offer a portion of your possessions. If this too proves burdensome, share what you have with Christ. If you hesitate to give everything, share half, or at least a third. If He is your brother and co-heir in heaven, include Him as a co-heir on earth. To grant to Him is to give unto yourself. He has made you a co-heir of heaven, and yet, you hesitate to release your earthly treasures to Him. He has reconciled you to God, despite your past enmity, and you hesitate to show gratitude to your benefactor, to say nothing of the kingdom and all else, while you owe Him thankfulness for what you can offer.
The secrets of the kingdom are shared with the people in stories and without further clarification; they are revealed exclusively to the group of disciples and specifically to the initial two. When the disciples inquired of the Lord regarding the meaning of this parable about the seed, He clarified it for them and subsequently provided direct guidance for their apostolic work through familiar parables as well (Mk. 4:21-25, the lampstand; Lk. 8:16-18). The outcome of the word within them must manifest through their own preaching, and the extent of each individual's dedication will reflect the magnitude of the message contained in the word itself.
Ultimately, the seed that is sown in fertile soil represents an individual who listens to the Word and comprehends it, producing a bountiful harvest—some yielding a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, and others thirtyfold. To further disclose to the disciples the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, the Savior shared additional parables that expanded on this central idea. In the parable of the sower, the very act of sowing the seed of God's kingdom and the varying outcomes of that seed in different hearts were clarified. The Savior also illustrated the ability of this seed to flourish within a receptive spirit.
In this context, the Kingdom of God is likened to a mustard seed, one of the tiniest of seeds, which grows to surpass all other grains and becomes a substantial tree, allowing the birds of the air to nest in its branches.
On fertile soil: fertile soil represents an individual who, setting aside life's distractions, yields to the guidance of the message of the Kingdom of God that he hears and comprehends. This individual possesses a heart that is sincere and receptive to the influence of this message, much like the earth welcomes nourishing rain and life-giving sunlight. The Gospel's message takes root deeply within this person, flourishing and yielding the fruits of faith and righteous deeds, the significance of which varies based on the quality of the soil. The types of virtues differ, and those who excel in spiritual insight also vary according to the measure given to each in relation to the purity of their hearts, as noted by Theophilus.
In Matthew 13:3-8, 19-23, we see that a portion of the seeds that were sown thrived, each producing varying degrees of fruitfulness. This illustrates that Jesus Christ extended His teachings universally, without discrimination. He did not separate the wealthy from the impoverished, the wise from the simple, the indifferent from the insightful, or the bold from the fearful; His teachings were offered to all, even though He anticipated the different outcomes. Thus, He could ask, “What more could I have done that I did not?” The failure of the majority of seeds to flourish did not stem from the Sower but from the unresponsive terrain of the heart.
You might wonder if it is wise to sow seeds among thorns, on rocky ground, or by the roadside. While it may seem imprudent regarding the seeds and the earth, it is commendable in terms of souls and teachings. Blame might be placed on the farmer for such efforts, as stones do not naturally transform into fertile ground, roads do not become paths for cultivation, and thorns do not suddenly disappear. However, rational beings are not bound to such limitations. A stone can indeed become fertile, a path can be left untrodden and turned into nurturing soil, and thorns can be cleared away, allowing seeds to thrive. If such transformations were impossible, Christ would not have sown seeds in diverse places. The failure of some to change does not reflect the fault of the Sower but rather the unwillingness of individuals to be transformed.
Moreover, it is important to understand that there are multiple pathways to destruction, each differing greatly from the other. Those likened to the roadside are the indifferent and neglectful. The rocky soil represents merely the weakest among them. The loss of a teaching’s power may occur without any outside manipulations or pressures, as opposed to when it falters under temptation. Those associated with thorns carry greater culpability than others. Yet, if the soil is good, the Sower is singular, and the seed remains unchanged, why then does one seed yield a hundredfold, another sixtyfold, and yet another thirtyfold? The distinction, once again, lies in the characteristics of the soil, for even within good soil, variations exist. This variance arises not from the inherent nature of individuals but from their willingness. Here, God's profound grace is evident: He calls for diverse levels of virtue but embraces those who achieve the first level, does not dismiss the second, and provides space for the third.
The Lord conveys through this parable that although many listen to the word of God, few truly grasp and follow the teachings of Christ. Who is the sower? - It is the Son of God, Jesus Christ. What does the seed represent? - It represents the word of God. What do the various terrains signify? - They represent the hearts of individuals. What does the path indicate? - It refers to those who are distracted, hearing the word of God merely with their ears, lacking engagement of the heart. What do the birds symbolize? - They represent Satan and all the temptations he uses to stifle God’s word within us. What is meant by the rocky terrain?
- It denotes individuals with fragile faith, who are eager to receive the word of God in favorable situations but falter in times of difficulty and hardship, losing faith and complaining against God. What about the thorns that choke the seed? - They symbolize individuals overly consumed by worldly worries, with the cares of life and the allure of riches overshadowing the word of God within them. What does the good soil represent? - It signifies true believers who attentively and reverently engage with the word of God through prayer; they not only hear it but also act upon it. What is the fruit? - It refers to the good deeds that result from hearing God’s word. What does the parable’s mention of a hundred, sixty, or thirtyfold signify? - It illustrates that among those who genuinely believe and attentively listen to God’s word, some will produce more good works than others. From all this, it is essential for us to introspect and discern which category our hearts fall into; we must seek divine assistance for the good seed to take deep root within us.
1. "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." Matthew 13:9. 2. "Watch how you hear." Luke 8:18. 3. "Marfa, Marfa, you are anxious, and you speak of many things, but one thing is necessary." Luke 10:41-42. 4. "But now being free from sin, and enslaved to God, you have your fruit for holiness, and the end is eternal life." Romans 6:22. 5. "Of this My Father is glorified, that you may bear much fruit, and be My disciples." John 15:8. 6. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, mercy, faith, gentleness, self-control: against such there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 29 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS