Ver. 1. And he began again, &c.] sc. The self-same day wherein he had that busy bout with the blasphemous Pharisees. [See Trapp on “Mt 13:1”]
Ver. 2. He taught them many things by parables] Ministers must likewise fetch comparisons from things most familiar and best known to their hearers, as the prophets from fishes when they have to deal with the Egyptians; from flocks and herds, when with the Arabians; from merchandise and navigation, when with the Tyrians and Sidonians, &c.; and as our Saviour from fishing, when he dealeth with fishers; from sowing, when with seedsmen, &c.
Ver. 3. Hearken, behold] Christ well knew the fickleness of men’s spirits, and how every small matter calls them off, when most earnestly set to hear. [See Trapp on “Mt 13:3”]
Ver. 4. [See Trapp on “Mt 13:3”]
Ver. 5. [See Trapp on “Mt 13:5”]
Ver. 6. [See Trapp on “Mt 13:5”]
Ver. 7. [See Trapp on “Mt 13:5”]
Ver. 8. Fruit that sprang up and increased] This is spoken in opposition to the thorny ground, where the thorns grow up together with the grain, and shaded it; whereas the good ground bri ngs forth fruit increasing, and ascending: αναβαινοντα και αυξανοντα, and although it have many thorns, yet grace is superior to corruption, and keeps it under.
Ver. 9. He that hath ears, &c.] A form of speech to stir up attention; like the Athenian, Ακουσατε, ανδρες; and our Oyez, from the French. Our Saviour cried and said so, saith St Luke.
Ver. 10. And when he was alone] Or solitary. A well chosen season is a very great advantage.
Ver. 11. Unto them that are without] That are those who are in the Church, but not of the Church. She hath her hangers on, that are as wens or botches to the body.
Ver. 12. [See Trapp on “Mt 13:14”] [See Trapp on “Mt 13:15”] [See Trapp on “Mt 13:16”] [See Trapp on “Mt 13:17”]
Ver. 13. Know ye not this parable?] What a shame is that! Gross ignorance, under excellent means of knowledge, is a blushful sin. And how then will ye know all parables?] Anaxagoras the philosopher found himself benighted, and complained, omnia esse circumfusa tenebris, that there was a general darkness upon men’s understandings. Empedocles angustas esse sensuum semitas dixit: Empedocles said that the pathways of the senses were too narrow. And Democritus, that the truth lay hidden in a pit that had no bottom. Melancthon was heard to say, that he did not believe that there was any one man to be found in all Germany that could rightly understand one whole page in Aristotle’s Organon. How nmch less can any one understand gospel mysteries, but by a supernatural light! The Romans thought they had victory tied to them; we have not the knowledge of divine truths tied to us, &c. But as the Romans dedicated a lake (the depth whereof was unknown) to Victory, so must we be wise to sobriety; and what we cannot comprehend of God’s revealed will, run to Christ, and he will teach us, but still cry, “Oh the depth!” Romans 11:33.
Ver. 16. Immediately they receive it with gladness] As children run away with deserts. But the new birth is seldom without pain, and without a flux of mortification. Leap-Christians prove apostates.
Ver. 17. Immediately they are offended] They stumble at the cross, and fall backwards. These are prosperity proselytes, holy day servants, political professors, neuter passive Christians.
Ver. 21. Is a candle brought] Or lighted, q.d. Take the benefit of the light of the gospel, suffer it not to stand under a bed or bushel; for “there is nothing hid,” viz. in our hearts, “but it shall be opened,” viz. by the power of the word most plainly. Lex, lux, law, light, the word is a curious critique, Hebrews 4:12.
Ver. 22. There is nothing hid, &c.] i.e. The prophets have delivered nothing darkly of me, which you must not make more manifest, and for that end you are enlightened, Romans 16:15. See Matthew 10:26.
Ver. 23. [See Trapp on “Mr 4:9”]
Ver. 24. Take heed what you hear] As the husbandman is very curious in the choice of his seed. With what measure you mete] i.e. As you mete to God in duty, so will God mete to you in mercy, Song of Solomon 1:3. Shall more be given] sc. If you bring with you a loan of your former hearings. He that hears as he ought, every time he hears he grows something more rich: he picks up the gospel’s pearls, and presents them to God the next time, that he may have more. The good soul cannot be without some daily comings in from Christ.
Ver. 25. For he that hath, to him shall be given] Grace grows by exercise, and impairs by idleness; as that side of the teeth which is least used in chewing, is apt to have more rheum settle upon it. Though both arms grow, yet that which a man useth is the stronger and bigger: so is it in grace. God gives “grace for grace,” and his righteousness is revealed from faith to faith; that is, from a less measure to a greater, John 1:16 Ro 1:17. Whereas it is easy to observe an eclipse and decay of God’s gifts in them that use them not, till at last they may say with Zedekiah, “When went the Spirit of God from me?” Watery matter secreted by the mucous glands or membranes, such as collects in or drops from the nose, eyes, and mouth, etc., and which, when abnormal, was supposed to cause disease; hence, an excessive or morbid ‘defluxion’ of any kind. ŒD
Ver. 26. So is the kingdom of God] God sows and reaps in the Church, though none observes it, and hath his fruit in due season.
Ver. 27. And should sleep] Ministers must rest secure with the success of their endeavours, having diligently done their duties. The word may work many a year after; as they say of the elephant, that she brings not forth till thirteen years after she hath conceived.
Ver. 28. First the blade, then the ear] And the husbandman looks upon it with delight, in the hope of a harvest; so doth God take in good part our weak beginnings, while we strive to be better: his blessing is upon our very buds, Isaiah 44:3. The first springs in the womb of grace are precious to him, Ephesians 2:1.
Ver. 29. Because the harvest is come] After long looking for, James 5:7. [See Trapp on “Jas 5:7”] “When will it once be?” saith God, Jeremiah 13:27.
Ver. 30. Whereunto shall we liken, &c.] The wisdom of God, the great Counsellor, seems to be at fault for a fit expression low enough for our slow apprehension.
Ver. 31. [See Trapp on “Mt 13:31”] [See Trapp on “Mt 13:32”]
Ver. 32. [See Trapp on “Mt 13:31”] [See Trapp on “Mt 13:32”]
Ver. 33. As they were able to hear] Not as he was able to have spoken: a minister must masticate his matter as nurses do their children’s meat, and speak to his hearers’ shallow capacities: or else he shall be a barbarian to them, and they to him. He is the best preacher, saith Luther, that preacheth commonly, trivially.
Ver. 34. He expounded] He read them the riddles, as it were, or untied the knots, επελυε. So, Judges 7:15, we read of a dream, and the interpretation, or breaking of it. A metaphor from the breaking of a nut to get the kernel.
Ver. 35. [See Trapp on “Mt 13:53”]
Ver. 36. They took him] viz. Out of that part of the ship where he had taught, into another part more convenient, where he might rest. For he had preached all that day, till the evening, without taking either repast or repose, Mark 4:1.
Ver. 37. [See Trapp on “Mt 8:24”] [See Trapp on “Mt 8:25”]
Ver. 38. Asleep on a pillow] Neither did the noise of the sea, nor the hurry of the seamen labouring for life, awake Christ, till his own time was come. Despair not, if help be not at hand at first, as we desire: but awake Christ, as here, and Isaiah 51:9. God hath a mighty arm, but it may be asleep; the Church therefore cries three times in a verse, “Awake.”
Ver. 39. Peace, be still] That is, have done quickly: so much the ingemination imports, Genesis 41:32.
Ver. 40. Why are ye so fearful?] Increpatio cum admiratione: as their “Master, carest thou not,” &c., was interrogatio conquerentis et reprehendentis. But if Caesar in a tempest could bid the bargeman be of good cheer, for he carried over the fortune of Caesar, which could not miscarry; how much more might those that were upon the same bottom with Christ, have been confident of a safe arrival! How is it that ye have no faith?] A little they had, Matthew 8:26. But this unexercised was, to comfort, as good as no faith. Perge contra tempestatem: Caesarem fers, et fortunam Caesaris. Plut.
Ver. 41. [See Trapp on “Mt 8:27”]