COMMENTARY ON MARK
LESSON NUMBER 40
“ Mark 4:18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19 and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” (Mark 4:18-19; Matthew 13:22; Luke 8:14)
SEED SOWN AMONG THORNS
INTRODUCTION
One of the premier activities of the Kingdom is dispersing the Word of God – scattering it among the sons of men. While the Word of God is powerful, and able, when “engrafted,” to “save the soul” (James 1:21), there are certain factors that neutralize its power. These factors are not discovered by research, trial-and-error, or some form of human diagnosis. It is the Word itself that discovers the condition of men, and uncovers the content and direction of their thinking. As it is written, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb 4:12). One of the reasons for the injunction “preach the Gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15) and “preach the Word” (2 Tim 4:2) is that it discovers the real condition of people. On the surface, men may appear to be noble and good, while wickedness has actually found a home in their hearts and minds. There are also precious souls who have strong longings to be accepted by God, who have a deep sense of their own inadequacies, and yearn for the grace and favor of the Almighty. All of this will be discovered by the Word of God – particularly the Gospel of Christ. As this Word is declared in power the real condition of the people begins to surface. Some will immediately become occupied with other things, and their interest in “religion” will begin to wane. Others will press to come closer and hear more. Their interest is awakened, and distracting thoughts are subdued in favor of obtaining the blessing of the Lord. Men are not moved toward the Lord by impressive appearances, but by the Gospel of Christ. It alone is a precious seed that uncovers the nature of men, and yields an abundant harvest to God.
THEY THAT HEAR THE WORD
“ 4:18a And these are . . . such as hear the word.”
This teaching is a Divine commentary on those who hear the Word of God – hear it declared, and are exposed to the good news of God’s provision for sinful man. All of the Gospels containing this exposition make a point of this. “ . . . but when they have heard WAYSIDE . . . when they have heard the word ROCKY . . . such as hear the word THORNS . . . such as hear the word GOOD GROUND. . . ” (Mk 4:15-20). “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom WAYSIDE . . . he that heareth the word ROCKY . . . he that heareth the word THORNS . . . he that heareth the word GOOD GROUND. . . ” (Mat 13:19-23). “ . . . they that hear WAYSIDE . . . when they hear ROCKY . . . when they have heard THORNS . . . having heard the word GOOD GROUND. . . ” (Luke 8:12-15).
This teaching has no application to the response of men to worldly-wise counselors. It does not apply to how men respond to the “tradition of men” (Col 2:8) or the “doctrines of men” (Col 2:22). Technically, this is not about man’s response to the Law, the Ten Commandments, or the wise proverbs of Solomon. In this parable, “the Word” refers to, as Matthew says it, “the word of the kingdom” (Matt 13:19). It is the “word” that “began to be preached by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him” (Heb 2:3). It is, in fact, the announcement and elaboration of the means through which God has provided a remedy for sin. It is the Gospel of Christ. He introduced it “at the first,” declaring it as having to do with preaching the gospel “to the poor,” healing “the brokenhearted,” preaching “deliverance to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind,” setting at liberty “them that are bruised,” and preaching “the acceptable year of the Lord” (Lk 4:18-19). In His ministry Jesus openly displayed the kind of release He proclaimed by means of His miracles. These introduced the fact that man’s recovery was going to be supernatural – something wrought by God, not by men. Men would not be recovered by a routine anymore than they could be healed of blindness, deafness, dumbness, palsy, etc., by means of a procedure.
How men respond to this message is the point of Jesus’ teaching in this text. This is a vital distinction, and must be seen by every professing believer. The more thorough discovery of the condition of the heart is not how men respond to a command or a Law – although human corruption is made known by that means. However, the Gospel reaches deeper into the heart than the Law, awakening the “honest and good heart” to a desire to recover, and a persuasion that God has provided a means by which that desire can be answered.
This is precisely the point of Paul’s rather lengthy comments on the Gospel of Christ, found in the tenth chapter of Romans. There we are reminded that “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (10:13). It is then affirmed that such a “call” is not possible if men have not “believed,” and they cannot believe unless they “hear,” and they cannot hear unless God sends them a “preacher” (10:14-15a). The subject of the preaching is categorically said to be “the gospel of peace” (10:15b). Men are depicted as responding to that preaching in these words: “obeyed the gospel.” The preaching is also referred to as a “report,” as distinguished from the outline of a law or code (10:16). It is then asserted that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom 10:17). That “word” is the Gospel itself – the “word of (or concerning) Christ.” NASB This is the “word” that is sown, and the various soils depict how and why men respond as they do to that message.
Should this Gospel be withdrawn from the arena of preaching, so that the message of Christ is replaced by a message of law, tradition, or some cunningly devised routine, the means of recovery has been taken from men. As well, the means of distinguishing “honest and good hearts” has also been removed. The ONLY message that can produce fruit is the Gospel. That is because it is the only message that is, in fact, “the power of God unto salvation” (Rom 1:16). It is the only message that reveals what men NEED – the righteousness of God, as well as the means of obtaining it (Rom 1:17).
Christ’s explanation of the parable of the sower underscores that men are held responsible for not only hearing the Gospel, but for how they hear it. He opens up to our understanding the inhibitions that thwart the Word.
A WORD OF EXPLANATION. This teaching is not intended to suggest that men are instantly locked in certain state – like the wayside, rocky ground, and now thorny ground. It does not suggest that the heart cannot be “opened,” or that conviction cannot take place, or that tenderness can never be realized. This is an explanation of what has inhibited the fruitfulness of the Word, but it does not suggest the seed can never again be sown in that place. That is precisely why the parable speaks of “sowing,” which is a seasonal activity. Perhaps the very people who hear gracious words from Jesus will actually become His “murderers” (Acts 7:52). However, in another sowing some few months later, they may be brought to “call upon the name of the Lord” (Acts 2:37). A blessed contemplation, indeed.
CARES, DECEITFULNESS, AND LUSTS ENTER IN
“ 18b . . . sown among thorns . . . and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in . . . ”
Here is another kind of hearer – one in which competing interests are found. The heart is thus cluttered with a hoard of distracting concerns and quests. Here we will learn that, while the Word is “quick and powerful” (Heb 4:12), it does not automatically drive out rivaling and antagonistic interests.
SOWN AMONG THORNS. Mark accents the sower, saying the seed was “sown among thorns.” Matthew emphasizes the hearer, saying he “received seed among thorns” (Matt 13:22a). Luke emphasizes the seed itself, saying the seed “fell among thorns” (Lk 8:145a). Here was a parcel of ground that was laden with other seeds that were beneath the surface. We know from the parable that the “thorns” were not yet plants. They had not yet evidenced themselves. However, as soon as the “seed” was sown, they grew up with it, spouting and making their appearance. Jesus made a special point of this, as confirmed in the Gospel accounts of the parable. “And the thorns sprang up” (Matt 13:7). “And the thorns grew up” (Mk 14:7). “And the thorns sprang up with it” (Lk 8:7).
It was not, then, until the “seed” fell into this ground that the thorns sprouted and broke through the ground. Although these hearers receive the Word, they have other interests that dominate their hearts, competing with the Word. These are described as inward thoughts, hopes, and desires that pertain to “this present evil world.”
Luke points out that, after hearing the Word, the people proceed on with their lives: “which, when they have heard, go forth” (Lk 8:14a). One version reads, “they go on their way.” NASB They proceeded with life as normal, carrying about in them the seeds of destruction. Their hearts appear to have remained fundamentally the same. Now that they have heard the Word, however, other interests begin to grow with great strength.
CARES OF THIS WORLD. Matthew refers to this in the singular – “the care of the world” (Matt 13:22). Luke refers to it as “cares” (Lk 8:14). Another version reads, “the cares and anxieties of the world and distractions of the age.” AMPLIFIED “Cares” project the idea of distracting concerns and interests. They may appear on the surface to be harmless, but they are lethal to spiritual life, because they compete against heavenly interests. These are burdens, concerns, agitations, and disturbing thoughts that relate to life in this world. They are thoughts that cause dismay, confusion, consternation, and fear. They disrupt peace, and cause fret and worry. You may recall what happened to Martha with she was dominated by “care.” Jesus said to her, “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful” (Luke 10:41-42). It is no wonder that believers are admonished, “Be careful (or filled with care) about nothing” (Phil 4:6).
DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES. Matthew uses the same expression, while Luke simply says “riches” (Lk 8:14b). Another version reads, “the pleasure and delight and false glamour and deceitfulness of riches.” AMPLIFIED Riches cannot deliver what men think. They are not the grand resolution to human need! Solomon well said that riches “fly away” – they can all be lost in a moment of time (Prov 23:5). Those who want to be rich “fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts” which led men into “perdition” (1 Tim 6:9). The desire for wealth has led many to neglect their soul, heap to themselves distracting possessions, lie, and even rob God. Riches are “deceitful.” They cannot provide what they promise.
LUSTS OF OTHER THINGS. Other versions read, “desires for other things,” NKJV “and the craving and passionate desire for other things.” AMPLIFIED “Other things” are matters that are external to the things of God, and have nothing to do with eternal life. They are of another order, and are thus called “other things.” These are desires, longings, appetites, and cravings that tend to dominate the soul. They are yearnings and passions for the temporary – for things pertaining to the flesh. Some of them appear quite innocent, and yet they compete against the word, moving men to settle for lesser and temporal things.
ENTERING IN. Other versions read, “come in,” NIV “creep in.” AMPLIFIED All of these things – “cares,” “deceitfulness,” and “lusts” – creep into the heart and mind like a robber in the night. They come in when a “place” is made for the devil (Eph 4:27). These enemies do not enter with the sound of an alerting trumpet, waving the flag of caution, or sending forth warning signals. They “enter” because the person is living close to the headquarters of these competing desires. The door of the heart is left ajar when the individual journeys through the territory in which the objects of these desires are found. The soul that is not aware of these strong desires is well nigh to being overthrown – if such has not happened already.
THE WORD IS CHOKED AND BECOMES UNFRUITFUL
“ 19 . . . choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.”
CHOKE THE WORD. Other versions read, “put a stop to the growth of the Word,” BBE “crowd out God’s message,” LIVING “stifle the message,” WEYMOUTH and “choke and suffocate the Word.” AMPLIFIED The word “choke” means “to press around or throng one so as to suffocate him,” THAYER “overwhelm, take over,” FRIBERG “to grow up with plants and cause them to die.” LOUW-NIDA
There are inward influences that negate the power of the Gospel – a word that is said to be God’s very “power unto salvation” (Rom 1:16). It is possible for a man to hear the very words of Christ, be drawn to them, and earnestly inquire, “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” (Matt 19:16). Surely this man was not far from obtaining the blessing! Yet, there were some “thorns” in the soil of his heart. When Jesus told him, “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me” (Matt 19:21), the young man “went away sorrowing: for he had great possessions” (Matt 19:22). What happened? The “deceitfulness of riches” entered in and “choked the Word.” That deceitfulness caused him to want his temporal riches more than he wanted eternal life. The Word was “choked” – suffocated by the lust of other things.
When one is exposed to the Gospel and the marvelous implications of it that are expounded in Scripture, the battle is set in array. The Gospel will not allow for a divided heart, and the “double-minded” man will not receive a blessing from God (James 1:6-8). If the heart is cluttered with “cares,” “deceitful” notions about “riches,” and “lusts” and preferences for “other things,” and they “spring up,” they will suffocate the Word of God. If the Word is believed and preferred, it will enable the individual to suffocate competing desires.
The very thought of the Word of God being “choked” ought to strike fear into the heart. If the Word is, in fact, “the seed” (Lk 8:11), then nothing of God can grow without it – no goodness, no virtue, no advancement in the faith. Hearts that are cluttered with temporal concerns are places where the truth of God is stifled, suffocated, and deprived of power for the individual. Behold what influence distracting thoughts have. They caused a young man who was traveling with Paul – a man who participated in Paul’s ministry (Col 4:14l Phile 1:24) – to forsake him, “having loved this present world” (2 Tim 4:10).
UNFRUITFULNESS. “It becometh unfruitful.” Luke says the seeds sown among the thorns “bring no fruit to perfection” (Lk 8:14). The purpose for “seed” – all seed – is to produce fruit: to cause something to grow that had not been there before – something productive and useful. Unfruitfulness is something associated with darkness, or the domain of the devil. As it is written, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Eph 5:11). Something that is, of itself, “unfruitful” cannot produce anything that transports into “the world to come.” It is a thought, a cause, or a purpose that is nailed to this world, and this world alone. Such a thing, in its very best posture, cannot extend benefits beyond death, or the end of the world.
In our text, however, we are dealing with a “seed” that is not inherently “unfruitful.” It has the capacity to yield an increase that can be taken to the other side – like being fruitful in “the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 1:8), and being “fruitful in every good work” (Col 1:10). When the Word is sown, it at once sets out to bring forth fruit, or a yield of righteousness, called “the fruit of righteousness” (Heb 12:11; James 3:18). Here, however, we read of a condition where the word “becometh unfruitful.” – a condition described as “making it unfruitful.” NIV The powerful word is thus “made fruitless,” DOUAY “and so it produces nothing.” NJB
Right here we are exposed to a facet of the Divine nature that must be known. Early in human history the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not always strive with man” (Gen 6:3). The Noahic flood is an example of the truth of that statement. Our text is another example. Although the powerful word of God was sown in the heart, it was not given the preeminence that it demands. Other competing interests were allowed entrance into the heart, and they so smothered the Word of God that it became fruitless, yielding nothing.
Do you wonder why we are solemnly warned, “Quench not the Spirit” (Eph 4:30), and “Grieve not the Spirit” (1 Thess 5:19). And how is it that men quench or grieve the Holy Spirit of God? Is it merely by some external action, or by being obviously belligerent? Those things come after the grieving – after the quenching of the Spirit. The suppression of the Spirit’s influence takes place when men prefer other considerations – other desires and quests. It takes place when men choose to be more concerned about life in this world, than issues relating to the world to come. Such interests suffocate the Word of God!