Matthew 13:22

“He also that receiveth seed among the thorns, etc.] The hearer that is like to the thorny ground, on which the seed fell, is he that heareth the word; not a profane sinner, nor a reviler of religion, or a persecutor of the saints; but one that not only shows a love to the word, but who seems to have his heart broken under it, and by it, his conscience tender, and his life outwardly reformed; one, who besides his being a settled, diligent, understanding, and affectionate hearer of the word, and a believing receiver and professor of it, seems to have a thorough work of grace upon him, to have the fallow ground of his heart ploughed up, and to be truly contrite; the thorns being under ground,…”

“See also Mark 4:13-20; Luke 8:11-15. “Hear ye, therefore, the parable of the sower.” That is, hear the “explanation” or the “spiritual meaning” of the narrative given before. Mark adds Mark 4:13, “Know ye not this parable? And how, then, shall ye know all parables?” By which it seems that the Saviour regarded this as one of the simplest and plainest of the parables, and gave an explanation of it that they might understand the general principles of interpreting others. Matthew 13:19 When any one heareth ... - The seed represents the word of God communicated in any manner to the minds of people - by the Scriptures, by preaching, by acts of Providence, or by the direct influences of the Holy…”

“He that received the seed among the thorns, is he that heareth the word and considereth it - In spite of Satan and his agents: yea, hath root in himself is deeply convinced, and in a great measure inwardly changed; so that he will not draw back, even when tribulation or persecution ariseth. And yet even in him, together with the good seed, the thorns spring up, Mat 13:7. (perhaps unperceived at first) till they gradually choke it, destroy all its life and power, and it becometh unfruitful. Cares are thorns to the poor: wealth to the rich; the desire of other things to all. The deceitfulness of riches - Deceitful indeed! for they smile, and betray: kiss, and smite into hell. They put out the…”

“13:22 Jesus spoke of competing demands in life, (see also 8:18-22). The worries of this life can become so great that they divert one from the path of faithful obedience (see 6:19-34). The lure of wealth, particularly in its ability to deceive, appears often in Matthew (e.g., 4:8-10; 6:24; 13:44-45). God does not desire that his people have wealth as much as that they have faith, obey him, and willingly help those in need (e.g., 19:21; 25:31-46).”

“seed: Mat 13:7; Mar 4:18; Luk 8:14, Luk 18:24; Ti2 4:10 the care: Mat 6:24, Mat 6:25, Mat 19:16-24; Gen 13:10-13; Jos 7:20, Jos 7:21; Kg2 5:20-27; Jer 4:3; Mar 10:23-25; Luk 12:15, Luk 12:21, Luk 12:29, Luk 12:30, Luk 14:16-24, Luk 21:34; Act 5:1-11; Act 8:18; Ti1 6:9, Ti1 6:10; Pe2 2:14, Pe2 2:15; Jo1 2:15, Jo1 2:16; Jde 1:11 the deceitfulness: Psa 52:7, Psa 62:10; Pro 11:28, Pro 23:5; Ecc 4:8, Ecc 5:10, Ecc 5:11, Ecc 5:13, Ecc 5:14; Mar 4:19; Luk 18:24, Luk 18:25; Ti1 6:17 choke: Luk 8:14; Ti2 4:10; Jde 1:12 Matthew 13:23”