And when many people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spoke by a parable:
All Commentaries on Luke 8:4 Go To Luke 8
John Chrysostom
AD 407
Now His going, Who is every where, was not local, but through the vale of the flesh He approached us. But Christ fitly denominates His advent, His going forth. For we were aliens from God, and cast out as criminals, and rebels to the king, but he who wishes to reconcile man, going out to them, speaks to them without, until having become meet for the royal presence, He brings them within; so also did Christ.
For as the thorns do not let the seed grow up, but when it hasbeen sown choke it by thickening round it, so the cares of this present life permit not the seed to bear fruit. But in things of sense the husbandman must be reproved who would sow amid thorns on a rock and the way side, for it is impossible that the rocks should become earth, the way not be a way, the thorns not be thorns. But in rational things it is otherwise. For it ispossible that the rock should be converted into a fruitful soil, the way not be trodden down, the thorns dispersed.
And to sum up many things in a few words. Some indeed as careless hearers, some as weak, but others as the very slaves of pleasure and worldly things, hold aloof from what is good. The order of the way side, the rock, and the thorns is well, for we have first need of recollection and caution, next of fortitude, and then of contempt of things present. He therefore places the good ground in opposition to the way, the rock, and the thorns. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it For they who are on the way side keep not the word, but the devil takes away their seed. But they who areon the rock sustain not patiently the assaults of temptation through weakness. But they who are among thorns bear no fruit, but are choked.
