Hearing AND Understanding! Matthew 13:18-23

Matthew 18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 

In Mark and Luke's version of the parable, the disciples ask Jesus to explain the meaning of the parable.  Another version says, "Hear ye", with the emphasis on "you".  Jesus is giving them the insights into the spiritual meaning of the parable and wants them to really listen.  

19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path.

The first soil condition that is not conducive to growing the seed was the stony path.  Jesus says the evil one snatches it away even before it has a chance to bear fruit.  

"The wayside soil represents those who never really hear the word with understanding. The Word of God must be understood before it can truly bear fruit. One of Satan’s chief works is to keep men in darkness regarding their understanding of the gospel." (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).  Guzik

20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 

The next soil condition, the rocky ground, is slightly more conducive as the seed at first begins to grow.  

"As seed falling on the thin soil on top of the stony places quickly springs up and then quickly withers and dies (Matthew 13:5-6), so some respond to the word with immediate enthusiasm yet soon wither away." Guzik

Emotions can be tricky.  They can be up one day and down the next.  

21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 

The problem in this scenario is that the seed has not developed any roots  Christianity is more of a marathon than a sprint.  People may go to a concert or rally and have a spiritual experience, but if they are not grounded in the word and assimilated into a church, they can quickly fall away.  

Sometimes one might have a spiritual awakening and when they return to their old environment they might be tempted to return to their old ways.  Oftentimes even one's family, if they are not Christian, might not be accepting of the new believer.  Or, in some cases, they may not even be allowed back into their family by becoming a Christian.  

“I want you clearly to understand that the fault did not lie in the suddenness of their supposed conversion. Many sudden conversions have been among the best that have ever happened.” The problem was not their sudden growth, but their lack of depth." (Spurgeon)

22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 

In the previous scenario the pressure came from the outside.  In this scenario the pressure comes from the inside.  This soil though is a lot more promising than the previous one.  In it the seed can begin to grow but is threatened by the thorns WITHIN the soil.

"Here there is no over-rapid growth, and there is some depth of earth. The character is not one that wastes its strength in vague emotions, but has the capacity for sustained effort. The evil here is, that while there is strength of purpose, there is not unity of spirit. The man is double-minded, and would fain serve two masters." Ellicott

23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

The key to this soil condition is represented by the person who not only hears the word but understands it.  

"The process is not merely an intellectual one. He takes it in, discerns its meaning. The phrases in the other Gospels express the same thing, “hear the word and receive it” (Ellicott)

In Luke's version, he uses the words "hears the word and retains it".  In Mark's version he says, "hears the word and accepts it."  

The bottom line is the person does something with the message.  They mull over it, process it, and meditate on it with the purpose of understanding it.  The Bereans in the book of Acts are described in a similar way.  In Acts 17:11-12 it says about them, 

"They received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed." 

What does all this mean?  I think it means there are a lot of obstacles to a Christian who wants to grow to be a disciple of Jesus.  And what is the difference maker?  Hearing God's Word, endeavoring to understand it, and putting it into practice.  James 1:23 says, 

"But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves."

"Even more than describing the mixed progress of the gospel message, the parable of the sower compels the listener to ask, “What kind of soil am I? How can I prepare my heart and mind to be the right kind of soil?” This parable invites action so that we would receive the Word of God to full benefit." Guzik