The Parable of the Sower
Canon G. E. Jelft Luke 8:4-15 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spoke by a parable:… 1. Are you a careless hearer? 2. Are you an unsteadfast bearer? 3. Are you a worldly-minded hearer? 4. Are you a faithful hearer? (1) Faithful hearers present to the sower an honest and good heart. (2) They hear and understand: they go along with the love of the Lord as He instructs them, even if they cannot comprehend all mysteries, or gain all knowledge. (3) They keep the Word: they think of it, meditate upon it. (4) Whoever has been the human sower, they regard the seed as what it is in truth, the Word of God which effectually worketh in him that believeth — they are very jealous for the Lord God of Hosts — watchful that no one speak lightly or jestingly of it — most watchful, in being very reverent towards it themselves. (5) And they are patient also, in the possession of the Word — patient in trials, because they have such a pledge of God's goodwill towards them — patient with others, as taught here in God's exceeding great patience towards them — patient in darkness, knowing and feeling that that Word is still, and will always be, a lantern unto their feet and a light unto their paths. (6) And finally, in this patience they bring forth fruit — each man according to his several ability — "some thirty-fold," etc. They are assured that God asks them, not merely for attention, but for fruit: not only for a deep root, but for much fruit: not for an unworldly heart, alone, but for that glorious fruit of the Spirit which proves that the inner life of their souls has been begun, continued, and ended in God. (Canon G. E. Jelft) Parallel Verses KJV: And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: WEB: When a great multitude came together, and people from every city were coming to him, he spoke by a parable.