And when he was alone, those present along with the Twelve questioned him about the parables. 11 He answered them, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been granted to you. But to those outside everything comes in parables, 12 so that ‘they may look and see but not perceive, and hear and listen but not understand, in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven.’” 13 Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables? 14 The sower sows the word. 15 These are the ones on the path where the word is sown. As soon as they hear, Satan comes at once and takes away the word sown in them. 16 And these are the ones sown on rocky ground who, when they hear the word, receive it at once with joy. 17 But they have no root; they last only for a time. Then when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 18 Those sown among thorns are another sort. They are the people who hear the word, 19 but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches, and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit. 20 But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.”
Later, the disciples and those around Jesus when the crowds were gone questioned him about the meaning of the parables. The mystery of the Kingdom is the knowledge of God’s divine plan for establishing the Messianic kingdom which was revealed to Jesus’ disciples because of their belief (Mt. 13:11). Jesus’ teachings were given in parables to those outside the inner circle according to their capacity to understand (Mk. 4:33) but they have to make an effort to grasp the meaning of the parables so they can be enlightened. Those outside included the Scribes, Pharisees, Herodians, and the crowds who were captivated by Jesus’ words and miracles, but did not believe (Mt. 13:13). Those who refuse to believe would not be able to grasp the profound truths about the Kingdom because of their distorted view of the Kingdom and the Messiah, thereby fulfilling an Old Testament prophecy (Isaiah 6:9). God’s purpose is hidden from man and is only divinely revealed in God’s time. Jesus challenged the disciples to grasp the meaning of the parable which is essential for understanding the other parables.
The key to understanding the parable is found in verse 14, “The sower sows the word.” The seed is the Word of God, the message of the Kingdom that Jesus is preaching. The types of soil are the various dispositions with which Jesus’ teaching is received. There are basically two types of soil/disciples - those who hear the word, act on it and bear fruit, and those who reject the word and do not bear fruit. The parable gave three obstacles to belief and bearing fruit – Satan (v.15), persecutions (vv. 16-17), and worldly concerns (vv. 18-19). All three of these were stumbling blocks for the early Church but the true disciple who had the right disposition heard the word, accepted it, and bore much fruit for the kingdom despite obstacles.
The explanation of the parable reflects the experience of the early Church as described in the three Synoptic Gospels. Mark could have been addressing early Christian apostasy from the faith because of persecution which led some to return to their previous way of life (Jn. 6:66).
Almighty God, grant us the grace to hear and understand your word and the wisdom to seek the deeper, hidden meaning of your teaching. Increase our desire to serve you in spite of our trials and strengthen our faith so that we may accept your word and act on it. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
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