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Explanation for:
Matthew
13
:
8
And others fell upon good ground: and they brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, and some thirtyfold.
12
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Caesarius of Nazianzus","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88a176e0f4c3aeca7aee3_Caesarius%20of%20Nazianzus.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"What does the Lord declare? \\"The sower went out to sow. And some fell by the roadside, some on the rock, some among the thorns. What was by the roadside was eaten by the birds of the air. What was on rocky ground withered because it had no depth of soil and no root. And the seeds that fell among thorns were choked.\\" This is the essence of the scripture. \\n\\nThe sower is Christ, the eternal God who has come forth from the Father, sowing the seeds of our salvation. The seed represents the divine and life-giving word. The field reflects all of humanity, the oxen symbolize the Apostles, the plough signifies the cross, and the yoke represents the bond of love that both connects and humbles the minds of the theologians. The sower did not come merely to plant wheat or barley for earthly sustenance, but faith in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, along with the hope of resurrection and love for God and neighbor, impartially. \\n\\nAs the great prophet Isaiah prophesied, Christ came forth with ten yokes of oxen, which will always yield a harvest. These ten harnesses represent the holy presence of the Apostles within the Godhead, whereas the twelve signify the Apostles before the Passion; seven are those chosen alongside Stephen, the Archdeacon, following the Holy Resurrection, and the twentieth is Saul, who was called from heaven: \\"Saul, why do you persecute Me?\\" This encounter transformed the one who had set out to oppose Israel into a champion for Christ. \\n\\nThe twelve oxen ploughed the spiritual field of the human soul, sowing seeds of faith in Christ. Our earthly vessel, formed from dust, is made capable of receiving the life-giving essence of blood and water from Christ, poured out as a means of salvation. The sower and giver of our being is Christ, who fashioned us from nothingness before His earthly incarnation. Having redeemed us from being sinful and filled with harmful influences, He rejuvenates us, making us immortal, blessed, and glorious in our entirety. \\n\\nHe is the clay vessel, made flesh from our own clay, holding the life-giving water of His divinity. Therein lies the proclamation of John the Baptist when he beheld Jesus, exclaiming, \\"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,\\" achieved through the Cross and the outpouring of blood and water. Furthermore, when the disciples inquired where He would prepare the Passover, He instructed them to meet a man carrying a vessel of water, telling them to declare, \\"The Teacher says: 'At your house, I will keep the Passover with My disciples,'\\" which was fulfilled. \\n\\nThe man with the earthen vessel symbolizes John the Baptist, whose call to repentance heralds the coming of Christ. The city signifies the heavenly Jerusalem, inhabited by the righteous saints, and the large upper room can be understood as our sacred altar, adorned with various ornaments. The Apostles and Prophets are likened to oxen, as affirmed by the Apostle Paul, who stated, \\"You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.\\" \\n\\nIn reference to the prophetic words of Isaiah: \\"Ten yokes of oxen shall not cease to yield one barn,\\" it continues, \\"He who sows six measures shall reap three.\\" This raises the question of whether such a grave transgression leads to only a fraction of the expected harvest. The term \\"three measures\\" implies a meager return. However, delving deeply into the text reveals insight into this statement. The field of mankind will be sown with six measures: four books of scripture regarding God, one book reflecting the Acts of the Apostles, and the sixth comprising the writings of the great Apostle Paul. From these six, fruit is borne through the faithful who follow the teachings of the saints.\\n\\nThree types of faith are sown: faith in the Father, faith in the Son, and faith in the Holy Spirit. The sower traveled not to scatter wheat for bread, but to sow life-giving faith. However, not all seeds took root; some fell \\"by the way\\" and not truly on the Way, reflecting those who are imperfectly aligned with Christ. He proclaimed, \\"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.\\" Those who linger near but do not fully embrace the Way, like the Arians, Hellenists, or Jews, find themselves outside of Christ, acknowledging Him but spurning His divinity. Consequently, the birds of the air—symbols of evil powers—snatch away the seeds from the hearts of the unrepentant.\\n\\nFor the Lord commanded that His holy truths should not be offered to the unworthy, as seen when He said, \\"Do not give what is holy to the dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine.\\" He further illustrated this principle: \\"To him who has, more will be given; but from him who does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken away.\\" This indicates that good works devoid of genuine faith are of no benefit. As the Lord stated, \\"He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned.\\"\\n\\nThe lawlessness of the wicked heretics is no better than the unbelievers. Those among the thorns represent the Eunomians, whose blasphemies lead many to label them as lawless—for they audaciously declare Christ to be created. This is akin to thorns that choke them, hindering them from producing faith. Similarly, this descriptor fits those in our church weighed down by worldly concerns who fail to nurture the divine seed within them.\\n\\nThe other seed fell not onto stone, but into rocky ground. The Stone, as described by the Apostle Paul, is Christ. Those with hearts hardened like stone are resistant and rebellious. Although naturally more pliable than stone, the human heart can become petrified. The Lord equates the stone with the wretched followers of Macedonius and Marcion, who dishonor the Holy Spirit and perpetrate falsehoods about His creation. They incur irredeemable judgment, for the Lord warned, \\"Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, neither in this age nor in the age to come.\\" \\n\\nThose who do not wholeheartedly receive the truth leave themselves lifeless, holding a heart of stone rather than the fertile soil nurtured by Christian faith. To affirm that the Son of God, Jesus Christ, is of the same divine nature as the Father indicates a softened heart, whereas denying that the Holy Spirit is God solidifies their stone-like nature, rendering them spiritually blind. Excommunicating such individuals, the great Apostle declared, \\"If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.\\"\\n\\nConversely, \\"Another seed,\\" proclaimed the Lord, \\"fell on good ground and yielded a harvest: some thirtyfold, some sixtyfold, and some a hundredfold.\\" The good ground represents a wise and pure heart, cleansed from the thorns of heresy, which first yields the grass of faith, then the ear of hope, and ultimately the ripe fruit of love fulfilled. This aligns with the apostolic teaching, where the greatest virtues are identified as faith, hope, and love. \\n\\nThus, one who believes bears fruit thirtyfold, the one who hopes yields sixty, and the one perfected in love produces a hundredfold from that single seed, collecting fruit three times over. By honoring God, exalted within the Church, we grasp His essence with our spirit, perceive Him with our soul, and endure His presence with our bodily selves. We glorify Him on earth, rise from the dead, and find rest in heaven. \\n\\nThe perfect individual concerning the Trinity is faithful, meek, beloved by all, humble, merciful, generous, and righteous, devoted to the Divine, yearning for the Heavenly, living among humanity yet manifesting as a reflection of God's image. Thus, they produce thirty as they interact with men, sixty through service with the angels, and a hundred by communion with God. By anointing with oil, they yield fruit thirtyfold; through Baptism, they produce sixty; and through the complete Anointing with Peace, they reach a hundred.\\n\\nThose who believe in the Father achieve thirtyfold; those who affirm the Son's equality with the Father realize sixty; and those who attain perfection through the Spirit and acknowledge the Spirit's divinity reap a hundredfold. Some wise individuals assert that faith in the Spirit brings thirtyfold yield, faith in the Son yields sixty, and faith in the Father brings a hundred. However, those who think to diminish the Holy Spirit while elevating the Father and the Son fall into error.\\n\\nTo presume that they should value the Father and the Son above the Spirit contradicts the fundamental faith in the Holy Trinity. The divine writer elucidated that the entire creation exhibits the Trinity: \\"By the Word of the Lord, the heavens were made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.\\" The Father speaks through the mouth; the Son is represented by the Word; the Holy Spirit embodies the fullness of the Holy Trinity. \\n\\nThe Lordship of the Spirit became evident when Jesus rose from the dead, instructing His disciples, \\"Receive the Holy Spirit... Whoever's sins you forgive are forgiven.\\" In this action, He demonstrates the Spirit's Lordship by granting the power to forgive sins through the Holy Spirit. We must strive not to fall into heresy, lest we be condemned like the Queen of Sheba, who traveled from afar to seek wisdom, reprimanding those who neglect the pursuit of greater truths."},{"author-name":"Ephraem the Syrian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88b589fc3e99eb7bb1839_Ephraem%20the%20Syrian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The phrase \\"But the earth is good and fruitful\\" refers to souls committed to the truth, mirroring those who, at His invitation, abandoned everything to follow Him (Matt. 19:21). The mention of fruit \\"in thirty...multiples,...in sixty...and a hundred\\" illustrates the stages of life: childhood, youth, and old age. While there is but one earth and the seed planted is the same, the Lord assesses the varied fruit produced over time, as some fruits exceed others in yield. Yet, in His graciousness, God ensures that when the time for reward arrives, those who come later receive the same honor as those who came first (Matt. 20:1-16). Moreover, the earth was indeed good and fruitful; although the goodwill that embraced the seeds of righteousness was identical, it yielded diverse outcomes of thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold. By this teaching, He reveals that all areas of the earth, according to their capabilities, have borne fruit, joyfully producing a harvest in accordance with their strengths—similar to those who received five talents and doubled them, with each gaining in line with their virtues. The one who bears fruit a hundredfold demonstrates perfect discernment, having embraced the baptism of death in witness to God. The sixtyfold yield belongs to those who, when called, offered their bodies to suffering and persecution for the sake of God, remaining steadfast to the end without succumbing to death for their Lord. The thirtyfold represents the average harvest from good soil, signifying those who were chosen for the faith of Christ, crowned with virtue in times devoid of persecution, though they were not destined for the path of martyrs and confessors. The statement “He himself does not know, because the earth bears fruit of its own accord” (cf. Mk. 4:27-28) suggests not ignorance of what he has sown but a release from the weight of this task. \\n\\nIt is essential to have faith that our dedication to Him will yield fruit from our efforts."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"What is the outcome of this seed? Three portions wither away while only one persists. When I sowed the seed, it fell along the path, and birds came and devoured it (v. 4). Christ did not state that He Himself sowed but rather that the seed fell. Another portion landed on rocky ground, where there was little soil, and despite the warmth of the sun, they sprouted quickly because they lacked depth; however, they withered when the sun shone upon them. Additionally, some seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked them. Conversely, some fell on fertile soil and yielded a harvest: some produced a hundredfold, some sixty, and others thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear (vv. 5-9). In this fourth category, while it survived, the yield varied significantly. These words clearly illustrate that Christ extended His teaching to all without discrimination. Just as a farmer does not differentiate among the fields he addresses and simply scatters the seed, Christ, too, preached to everyone—rich and poor, wise and ignorant, anxious and indifferent—carrying out His mission, even though He foresaw the varying outcomes. This allows Him to pose the question, “What more could I have done, that I did not do?\\" (Isaiah 5:4). The prophets have likened the people to grapes—the fruit of His beloved, brought forth from Egypt (Is. 5:1, Ps. 79:9). In turn, Christ likens the people to seed. What is He indicating? That the people would readily and promptly heed His call and produce fruit. Yet, when acknowledging the sower’s venture into sowing, one must not equate it with a singular identity. The sower often engages in various tasks, such as plowing the land, weeding out undesirable plants, or uprooting thorns; however, Christ's mission was to sow. Why, then, did so much of the seed perish? The issue lies not with the sower but with the ground's reception—symbolizing souls that failed to respond. Why does He refrain from stating that some seed was consumed by the indifferent or crushed by the wealthy or neglected by the weak? He chooses not to cast harsh blame, as it could lead to despair, trusting instead that His audience will reflect on their own consciences. This phenomenon affected not only the seed but also the net, leading to much fruitlessness. Christ employs this parable to encourage and teach His disciples, assuring them that they should not be discouraged even if many who receive their message ultimately perish. The same was true for the Lord Himself, who continued to sow knowing the potential outcomes. Is it wise to sow amidst thorns, on rocky terrain, or along a path? While it may seem imprudent for seeds and soil, it is commendable when considering souls and doctrine. If a farmer acted thus, he would rightly be criticized, as stone cannot naturally become soil, nor can a path cease to be a thoroughfare, nor can thorns become benign. Yet, with rational beings, transformation is possible. A stone may become fertile ground; a path may be less trampled and yield a harvest; and thorns may be removed, allowing seeds to thrive. Were such transformation truly impossible, Christ would not have sown. However, if not everyone underwent this change, the fault does not lie with the sower but rather with those resistant to transformation. Christ fulfilled His mission; if individuals disregarded His teachings, the one who demonstrated immense compassion bears no guilt. Furthermore, it is important to note that destruction manifests in varied and distinct forms. Those akin to the path represent the indifferent, lethargic, and careless, while the rocky ground signifies merely the weakest individuals."},{"author-name":"Anonymous Commentary (Opus Imperfectum)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Things grow well in good soil. Those who reject sinful wealth and perform good deeds to the best of their ability exemplify good soil, yielding thirtyfold fruit. By renouncing all they possess and dedicating themselves to God's service, they can reap sixtyfold. Moreover, those who endure physical suffering with steadfast faith will receive a hundredfold return. This illustrates what constitutes good ground. The individual who produces thirtyfold represents someone who refrains from wrongdoing, striving to do good as much as possible, which corresponds to thirtyfold fruits. However, they have not attained the sixtyfold yield, as they struggle to completely renounce their possessions, nor can they fast continuously, maintain purity, and bear physical trials throughout their life. Only those who can achieve such a level of devotion will bear sixtyfold fruit. Thus, to the apostles, who had the capacity to acquire the sixtyfold yield, the Lord instructs them: Sell your possessions and give alms (Luke 12:33). For those who can only achieve the thirtyfold yield, He commands: Give to everyone who asks of you, and do not demand back from those who take what is yours (Luke 6:30). Similarly, even a person capable of reaping sixtyfold fruit may not be able to reach a hundredfold. How many can truly forsake their possessions, endure the loss of everything, live righteously, and withstand physical trials, yet hesitate to confront that which produces a hundredfold return?"},{"author-name":"Augustine of Hippo","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88950a5c988a4fc06c7ae_Augustine%20of%20Hippo.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"The forgiveness we receive, whether through individual prayers or the advocacy of saints, hinges on the reality that not all will be condemned to eternal damnation, rather than suggesting that those already condemned can expect to be released after a designated duration. Some interpret the biblical teaching that the good soil produces abundant harvests—some yielding thirty, others sixty, and yet others a hundredfold—as implying that the saints, based on their varying degrees of merit, will intercede for others in accordance with these figures. They tend to believe this will take place on the day of judgment rather than at a later time. It is reported that when a certain individual encountered others who confidently assured themselves of escape from judgment on the grounds that universal pardon exists, he wisely countered that it is essential to lead a righteous life, so that one may be among those who intercede for others. Otherwise, there could be so few intercessors that once they each reach their respective numbers of thirty, sixty, or a hundred, many will be unable to find relief from their own suffering, including those who foolishly rely on the merits of others. This response is offered to those who acknowledge the authority of the sacred Scriptures shared among us, but who misinterpret them, imagining that the outcomes will align with their personal desires rather than the truths presented in the Word. With that said, I will now conclude the current volume, as previously promised."},{"author-name":"Isidore of Pelusium","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88d94130e668938c9ae9d_Isidore%20of%20Pelusium.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"The phrase “Obo ubo a hundred, Obo ubo six hundred and fifty, Obo ubo thirty” can symbolize purity, abstinence, and virtuous unions, while also representing the cultivation of the spirit, the care of the physical self, and the act of giving. The salvation of the soul is of greater significance than merely attending to bodily needs or monetary contributions, as the former involves toil and effort, whereas the latter is derived from external resources. \\nConcerning the words of Scripture, “Obo ubo a hundred, Obo ubo sixty, Obo ubo thirty.” (Matthew 13:8)."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Some seeds fell on fertile soil and produced a harvest: some yielded a hundredfold, others sixtyfold, and still others thirtyfold. A portion of the crop did not survive, with only a quarter being fruitful, reflecting the reality that few are saved. He later mentions the fertile soil to instill in us the hope of repentance, for even if one is like rocky terrain or lies along the roadside, or is surrounded by thorns, it is still possible for that person to transform into good soil. Not everyone who receives the Word bears fruit to the same degree; some may produce a hundredfold, perhaps those who are fully dedicated, while another might yield sixtyfold, possibly a monk engaged in both contemplation and practical service. A third might bring forth thirtyfold, such as someone in a virtuous marriage, striving earnestly to embody the teachings. Notice how the grace of God embraces all individuals, regardless of whether they have accomplished much, a moderate amount, or little."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Yet the other seed fell on fertile ground... This good soil symbolizes a virtuous soul, untainted by the passions mentioned above and capable of yielding the fruits of righteousness. Observe how rare goodness is and how few attain salvation. Only one-fourth of the seed brings forth fruit, while three parts are lost. Truly, the sower scatters the seed to all without favoritism, yet for some, the seed fails to thrive, while for others, it multiplies abundantly. This outcome is not due to the seed’s inherent quality—since it is the same for all—but rather the differing conditions of the human souls that receive it. Why did Christ scatter the seed indiscriminately across paths, rocky terrain, and thorny bushes? It is undoubtedly out of His boundless goodness and justice, so no one could claim at the judgment that had He sown in their hearts, they would have produced fruit. He was aware of their barrenness, yet, as a compassionate being, He acted correctly, saying, \\"What more could I have done for My vineyard that I have not done to it\\" (Isaiah 5:4)? The Savior shared this parable to encourage His disciples not to lose hope if they observe more perishing than being saved, nor to cease their efforts in sowing; for they could look to their Master, who, though He foresaw their unfruitfulness, still sowed among them. From this sowing, some bore fruit a hundredfold, some sixty, and others thirty. Just as those who are lost are varied, so too are the saved. There are three categories of those who perish: the timid, those burdened by life’s cares, and those ensnared by wealth. Likewise, those who achieve salvation fall into three groups: those who yield a hundredfold, sixtyfold, and thirtyfold. A hundredfold represents the pinnacle of virtuous fruitfulness, sixtyfold is moderate, and thirtyfold signifies the least, as sixty is twice thirty and a hundred is thrice—indeed, more than thrice, illustrating the heights of perfection. \\"In time, there will be a hundred in one person, sixty in another, and thirty in a third.\\" Yet all are accepted, whether the first, the second, or the third. Thus, we must not allow the seed to wither through negligence, nor hinder it with fear, nor stifle it with worldly concerns or the lures of riches. First, we should be vigilant in receiving it, then steadfast in enduring trials, and finally free from all worldly anxieties and the futility of wealth, thus enabling us to be good soil that bears fruit in accordance with our abilities—great, moderate, or modest—but ensuring we do not perish at all. If we neglect one aspect and focus solely on another, we shall still face destruction. What difference does it make if we perish due to negligence or because of fear, or if it is due to vanity rather than cowardice?"},{"author-name":"Theophan the Recluse","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8983a6e0f4c3aecaae3fc_Theophan%20the%20Recluse.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In the fourth category are those who embrace the Word wholeheartedly, committing to live by its teachings with a readiness to give of themselves and work diligently, ensuring their hearts remain unbound to earthly ties. Take a moment to reflect and determine which group you identify with."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"‘One hundredfold,’ etc.: the yield varies based on how well the ground is nourished and ready for planting, as even within a single field, the seed can bear different amounts of fruit in different areas. The Lord Himself later clarifies the significance of this parable; refer to Matthew 13:18-23 and the accompanying notes for these verses. Matthew 13:11."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Certain seeds fell on fertile ground and yielded a bountiful harvest: some produced a hundredfold, others sixty, and others thirty, depending on the preparation and nourishment of the soil. A hundredfold yield is indeed possible in the East: “And Isaac sowed in that land, and received that year a hundredfold of barley: so the Lord blessed him” (Gen. 26:12)."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In a region such as Galilee, the imagery presented in this parable would be both familiar and easily understood by the people. The sower could have been seen by all, casting seeds into a freshly tilled field on a nearby hillside sloping down toward the lake. Those listening knew well that “some seeds fell by the wayside, and the birds came and devoured them. Some seeds fell upon rocky ground,” where there was minimal soil. Although they sprang up quickly due to the shallow earth, they soon withered away because they lacked a solid root and could not endure the heat of the sun. “Other seeds fell among thorns,” which were abundant in Palestine then as they are now, and the thorns choked them out. Finally, “other seeds fell on good soil and yielded a harvest: one a hundredfold, another sixtyfold, and another thirtyfold.” After sharing this parable, the Savior notably declared, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” This remark was significant, as many in the crowd, despite having the ability to hear, lacked the understanding needed to grasp the deeper meaning of the parable."}]}
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