But others fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
Read Chapter 13
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Some a hundred-fold. This difference of fruits is the difference of merits here, and of the rewards hereafter, according to the diversity of states St. Augustine, in his work, (de Virginitate, chap. xliv, and seq.) saith, that the hundred-fold agreeth with professed virgins; the sixty-fold with religious widows; the thirty-fold with married persons. This old heretic, Jovinian, and many of modern date, deny, affirming that there is no difference of merits or rewards. (St. Jerome, lib. ii. adv. Jovin.; St. Ambrose, ep. lxxxii.; St. Augustine, ep. lxxxii.) (Bristow)
A fourth part is saved. But even here all are not alike. There are great differences. Now these things Jesus said, showing that he preached to all without grudging. For the sower makes no distinction in the land submitted to him but simply and indifferently casts his seed. So he himself too makes no distinction of rich and poor, of wise and unwise, of slothful or diligent, of brave or cowardly. He plants his seed among all, fulfilling his part. Although foreknowing the results, it is within his power to say, “What ought I to have done that I have not done?” And the prophets speak of the people as of a vine: “For my beloved had a vineyard” and “He brought a vine out of Egypt.” His concern is with sowing the seed. What is this illustrating? That obedience now will be quick and easier and will presently yield its fruit. But when you hear once again that “the sower went forth to sow,” do not think of it as a needless repetition. For the sower frequently goes forth for some other act also, ...
Three quarters of the seed perished and only a quarter was saved. For few are they who are saved. At the end He speaks of the good ground, thus giving us hope of repentance. For although a man be rocky ground, or by the way side, or among the thorns, yet it is possible for him to become good ground. Nor do all who accept the word bear fruit equally: but "one a hundredfold," perhaps he who has attained perfect non-possessiveness and extreme asceticism; "another sixtyfold," perhaps the monk dwelling in a monastic community, and he, too, yields fruitfully; "and another thirtyfold," he who has chosen honorable marriage and diligently practices the virtues as much as he is able. See the goodness of God, how He accepts everyone: those who achieve great things, those who achieve moderate things, and those who achieve small things.
