Matthew 13:19

Thursday, 25 September 2025

 

When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. Matthew 13:19

 

“Everyone hearing the word of the kingdom and not comprehending, the evil, he comes, and he seizes the ‘having been sown in his heart.’ This, he is, the ‘having been sown near the path’” (CG).

 

In the previous verse, Jesus prepared His disciples for hearing the explanation of the parable. He now begins that explanation, saying, “Everyone hearing the word of the kingdom and not comprehending.”

 

Jesus has already spoken of such people when He cited the words of Isaiah. There are people who hear, but in hearing, they do not comprehend. One can go to a lecture on nuclear physics, hear the message of the speaker, understand the individual words, but not comprehend the meaning of what is being said.

 

Likewise, a person can read the Bible (hearing in his mind) and not comprehend what is being said. A common reason for this might be reading a passage, for example, Joshua 10, knowing what it says, but not comprehending why it is even in the Bible. This might be because the person has not read the Bible and, thus, has no context to understand what is being conveyed in the overall message.

 

Such examples help us grasp why someone can hear and not comprehend. In such an occurrence, Jesus says, “the evil, he comes.”

 

This would be referring to the devil. The adjective prefixed by the article marks the evil off as an entity. It isn’t just that evil comes. Rather, an entity that is evil comes. As such, translations normally insert the word one, resulting in “the evil one.” This evil one comes, “and he seizes the ‘having been sown in his heart.’”

 

The perfect participle indicates that the word had been received at some point, and it was a completed action that continues at the time being referred to. It is not that the word was not received, but that it was received, and then it is seized from him.

 

Therefore, this would be like the person Peter refers to –

 

“For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.” 2 Peter 1:9

 

The person received the message, but he failed to diligently do the things Peter refers to in 2 Peter 1:2-8. Because of this, Jesus says, “This, he is, the ‘having been sown near the path.’”

 

There was a seed sown, but it was snatched away, never becoming productive.

 

It should be noted that the words of this parable are not identical to those of Luke’s account in Matthew 8. There, Jesus says of this seed, “...then, he comes, the devil, and he lifts the word from the heart of them, that not having believed, they should be saved” (Luke 8:12).

 

Due to the different use of the verbs, and the plural “they” instead of the singular “he,” it means Jesus probably said this parable on different occasions and geared it towards the audience at that time.

 

Both accounts say the disciples asked Him for an explanation. There is no problem with this, it could mean other disciples than those who asked the other time in Matthew. Unlike Luke, a loss of salvation does not appear to be the intent in His explanation here in Matthew.

 

Life application: Israel was given the word, but for the most part, they never heeded it. As such, it was stolen away from them, generation after generation. There was a failure on their part to do what they were instructed, to be the people they were called to be, and to honor God as He determined.

 

Despite this, and despite rejecting Jesus when He came, Israel remains. This shows the covenant faithfulness that God has maintained toward them. Their disobedience does not negate His faithfulness.

 

If we can remind ourselves of this truth, we would be much better off in our minds concerning our own walk with Him, knowing that despite our failings, He remains faithful and will uphold His commitment to carry us through to the completion of our salvation.

 

If we would remind ourselves of this truth, we would also be better off in our minds concerning others’ walk with Him as well. It is so easy to point at other believers, knowing they at one time called on Jesus, and then assuming that God has taken away their salvation.

 

This is a common theme in churches that hold to the Arminian traditions. It is also nonsense. God will remain faithful, even to those who walk away from the faith. Peter does not question the salvation of those he refers to in the verse above. In fact, his words clearly indicate a state of salvation (he was cleansed).

 

Think about what the Bible says concerning God from His perspective, not ours. We fail others, we take back our gifts, we break our commitments, etc. God does none of these. His spoken word is an eternal decree, and Jesus’ blood is sufficient to cover all our sins.

 

Thank God for His faithfulness.

 

Lord God, may we think clearly and carefully consider the things Your word teaches us concerning You. In our minds, we will often project onto You what we experience. A bad father must equal a bad heavenly Father. But no! You are good, You do not change, and Your intent for us because of Jesus means we are secure. Thank You for Your faithfulness, O God. Amen.