Parables, Sower, Explanation
Matthew 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
Matthew 13:22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of this wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.
The one, however, in the thorns being seeded, this is the one hearing the message and not only the worry of the age, but also the treachery of treasure crowd the message and it is made barren.
We choke ourselves into unproductivity when we become to concerned about worldly affairs.
This verse again uses a number of uncommon words. The form seems convoluted when read, but if we imagine it spoken, it follows the pattern of Jesus's humor. We can easily see how it would be acted out with two choking hands playing the roles of "worry" and "deceit."
The Greek word translated as "unfruitful" also means "unprofitable." This connects Jesus's idea of "evil" as worthlessness to the idea of productivity. The message must be productive. The word translated as "becometh/making" means "to produce" when applied to things. I suspect the word "unfruitful" also had a sexual meaning the puts the punch in it as the punchline.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "he" is usually translated as "the" or "the one."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "also" should be something more like "but."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "he" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "also" should be something more like "but."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "received" is not the common word usually translated as "received."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "received seed" is not an active verb but a participle, "being sown."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "he" is usually translated as "the" or "the one."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "heareth" is not an active verb but a participle, "hearing."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "word" is better translated as "message" or "idea."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "world" should be something more like "age."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "riches" is not shown in the English translation.
- WN - Wrong Number- The word "riches" is translated as plural but the Greek word is singular.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "word" is better translated as "message" or "idea."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "however" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "seed" is not a noun but a participle, "being seeded."
- IW - Inserted Word -- There is nothing that can be translated as "falling" in the Greek source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "refers to" is the verb "is."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "someone" is not the word usually translated as "someone."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the one" modifying "hearing" is not shown in the English translation
- WF - Wrong Form - The "hears" is not a noun but a participle, "hearing."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "word" means "message" or "idea."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "but" should be something more like "and."
- WN - Wrong Number- The word "worries" is translated as plural but the Greek word is singular.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "life" is better translated as "lifetime" or "age."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "wealth" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "word" is better translated as "message" or "idea."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "making" is not a participle, but a passive verb, "is made."
He - (CW) "He" is from the Greek article, "the," (masculine) which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one."
also - (WW) The Greek word translated as "also" means "but," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
that -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "that" in the Greek source.
received seed - (WW, WF) "Received seed" is from the verb meaning "to sow," which itself is a verbal form of the Greek word for "seed." Here, the verb is in the passive form of a adjective describing something that is sown at some time, "being sown." Christ Jesus a different form of this same word when referring to the sower (active, not passive). The word is not a form of the Greek word translated as "received," which plays an important role in the previous few verses.
among - The word translated as "among" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, and "up to" limits in time and measure. Notice the change from the "against" pronoun used in similar verse Matthew 13:20 which was translated as "into."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
thorns - "Thorns" is from a noun which means "thorns," "prickle" or a thorny or prickly plant. As in English, the term "thorny" is used as a metaphor for "difficult," "tricky," or "painful" as in "a thorny question."
is - The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition.
he (CW) "He" is from the Greek article, "the," (masculine) which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one."
that - "He that" is translated from a Greek word that means "this," "that," "the nearer."
heareth - (WF) "Heareth" is from a Greek verb that means "to hear" and "to listen." It has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding. However, it is in the form of an adjective, "hearing."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
word; - (CW) "The word" is translated from a Greek word that means "explanation" or "calculation." It is the source of our word "logic" and is the root word for all the English words that end in "-ology." Most biblical translations translated it as "word" for somewhat poetic reasons. It translated best as "message" or "idea" in the way Jesus uses it.
and - -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
care - "Care" is translated from a Greek word that means "care," "thought" or "concern." It has most of the sense of the way we use "worry" in English. However, it is single, not plural.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
this -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
world, - (WW) "World" is not the word that are typically translated as "the world" or "the earth, but a word that means "life," "lifetime," "age," and "generation."
and - -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
deceitfulness - "Deceitfulness" is from a noun that means "trick," "deceit," "treachery," and "fraud."
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
riches, - (WN) "Riches" is from a noun which is used only once in Matthew to describe wealth. It means "wealth," "treasure," and "riches," and is related to the name of the god of wealth, Plutus. The word is singular so a singular word like "wealth" or "treasure" works better.
choke - "Choke" is from a verb that means "to press closely" in the sense of crowding, and "to damp down." However, the root word means "to choke" and the prefix means "together" or "by means of" so the sense is to crowd into suffocation or "to smother."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
word, - (CW) "The word" is translated from a Greek word that means "explanation" or "calculation." It is the source of our word "logic" and is the root word for all the English words that end in "-ology." Most biblical translations translated it as "word" for somewhat poetic reasons. It translated best as "message" or "idea" in the way Jesus uses it.
and - -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also."
he - -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb. If the masculine adjective refers to a man, the sense is "he" but if it refers to the "message" or "word," which is also masculine, it could be "it."
becometh - The word translated as "becometh" means "to become," that is, to enter into a new state. In the previous verse, Matthew 13:21, it was translated as "ariseth" but when referring to events, as it did there, the sense is "taking place" or "happening." For things, it cam be "to be produced." However, in the Greek, it doesn't seem to refer to the person, but "the word." In Greek, both are masculine and "the word" is the nearest masculine noun. Here the form is either a passive or middle voice. So, passive if it is a thing, "is made" and middle if a person, "becomes by himself."
unfruitful. - "Unfruitful" is from an adjective which means "barren," "unfrutiful," and is a metaphor for 'unprofitable."
The -- -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
missing "however" -- (MW) The untranslated word "but" joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
seed - (WF) "Seed" is not a noun but a verb meaning "to sow," which itself is a verbal form of the Greek word for "seed." It does not contain the Greek word usually translated as "receive." which appears below. The verb is in the form of an adjective, describing something that is sown at sometime. The verb is passive, so "being seeded."
falling -- -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "falling" in the Greek source.
among - The word translated as "among" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, and "up to" limits in time and measure. Notice the change from the "against" pronoun used in similar verse Matthew 13:20 which was translated as "into."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
thorns - "Thorns" is from a noun which means "thorns," "prickle" or a thorny or prickly plant. As in English, the term "thorny" is used as a metaphor for "difficult," "tricky," or "painful" as in "a thorny question."
refers to - (CW) The verb "refers to" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It is singular present.
someone -- (CW) "Someone" is the Greek definite article, which when not preceding a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. This is not the pronoun usually translated in Greek as someone.
who - "Who" is translated from a Greek word that means "this," "that," "the nearer."
missing "the one" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
hears - (WF) "Hears" is from a Greek verb that means "to hear" and "to listen." It has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding. However, it is in the form of an adjective, "hearing."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
word, -- (CW) "Word" is translated from a Greek word that means "calculation," or "reasoning," but it has many, many specific meanings from "deliberation" to "narrative." It is the source of our word "logic" and is the root word for all the English words that end in "-ology." Most biblical translations translated it as "word" for somewhat poetic reasons. More about this word in this article. In English, we would say "idea" to describe it but it also means communication of various types so "message" often works better.=
but - -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "but" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
worries - (WN) "Worries " is translated from a Greek word that means "care," "thought" or "concern." It has most of the sense of the way we use "worry" in English. However, it is single, not plural.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
this -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
life , - (CW) "Life" is not the word that are typically translated as "the world" or "the earth, but a word that means "life," "lifetime," "age," and "generation." However, this is not the most common word that means "life," which is the noun form of "live." The sense is more of a lifetime or era.
and - -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
deceitfulness - "Deceitfulness" is from a noun that means "trick," "deceit," "treachery," and "fraud."
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
wealth , - "Wealth" is from a noun which is used only once in Matthew to describe wealth. It means "wealth," "treasure," and "riches," and is related to the name of the god of wealth, Plutus. The word is singular so a singular word like "wealth" or "treasure" works better.
choke - "Choke" is from a verb that means "to press closely" in the sense of crowding, and "to damp down." However, the root word means "to choke" and the prefix means "together" or "by means of" so the sense is to crowd into suffocation or "to smother."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
word, - (CW) "The word" is translated from a Greek word that means "explanation" or "calculation." It is the source of our word "logic" and is the root word for all the English words that end in "-ology." Most biblical translations translated it as "word" for somewhat poetic reasons. It translated best as "message" or "idea" in the way Jesus uses it.
missing "and" -- (MW) The untranslated word "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also."
making - (WF) The word translated as "making" means "to become," that is, to enter into a new state. In the previous verse, Matthew 13:21, it was translated as "ariseth" but when referring to events, as it did there, the sense is "taking place" or "happening." For things, it cam be "to be produced." However, in the Greek, it doesn't seem to refer to the person, but "the word." In Greek, both are masculine and "the word" is the nearest masculine noun. Here the form is either a passive or middle voice. So, passive if it is a thing, "is made" and middle if a person, "becomes by himself." It is not a particple as translated.
unfruitful. - "Unfruitful" is from an adjective which means "barren," "unfrutiful," and is a metaphor for 'unprofitable."
ὁ (article sg masc nom) "He" is from the Greek article, "the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one."
δὲ (partic) "Also" is from de which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be an explanation of cause ("so"). --
εἰς (prep) "Among " is from eis, which means "into (of place)," "up to (of time)," "until (of time)," "as much as (of measure or limit)," "as far as (of measure or limit)," "towards (to express relation)," "in regard to (to express relation)," "of an end or limit," and "for (of purpose or object)."
τὰς (article pl fem acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἀκάνθας [8 verses](noun pl fem acc) "The thorns" is akantha, which means "thorns," "prickly" or a thorny or prickly plant. As in English, the term "thorny" is used as a metaphor for difficult, as in "a thorny question."
σπαρείς, (part sg aor pass masc nom) "He that received the seed" is from speirô, which is a verb, that means "to sow seed," "to scatter like seed," and "to beget offspring.
οὗτός (adj sg masc nom) "That" is from houtos, which means "this," "that," "the nearer." As an adverb, it means "in this way," "therefore," "so much," "to such an extent," and "that is why." --
ἐστιν (verb 3rd sg pres) "Is" is from eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," and "is possible."
ὁ (article sg masc nom) "He" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one."
τὸν (article sg masc acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
λόγον (noun sg masc acc) "The word" is from logos, which means "computation," "relation," "explanation," "law," "rule of conduct," "continuous statement," "tradition," "word," "discussion," "reckoning," and "value."
ἀκούων (part sg pres act masc nom) "Heareth" is from akouo, which means "hear of," "hear tell of," "what one actually hears," "know by hearsay," "listen to," "give ear to," "hear and understand," and "understand." -
καὶ (conj) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
ἡ (article sg fem nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
μέριμνα [4 verses](noun sg fem nom) "Cares" is from merimna , which means "care," "thought," "solicitude," "object of care or thought," and, in plural, "pursuit," "ambition."
τοῦ (article sg masc gen) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
αἰῶνος (noun sg masc gen) "World" is from aion, which means "life," "lifetime," "age," or "generation."
καὶ (prep) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
ἡ (article sg fem nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἀπάτη [3 verses] (noun sg fem nom) "Deceitfulness" is apatê , which means "trick," "deceit," "guile," "treachery," and "fraud."
τοῦ (article sg masc gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
πλούτου [3 verses] (noun sg masc gen) "Riches" is from ploutos, which is used only once in Matthew to describe wealth. It means "wealth ""treasure," and "riches." The verb is pletho, which means "to fill." "Plutus" is the god of riches.
συνπνίγει [2verses] (3rd sg pres ind act) "Choke" is from sympnigô , which "to press closely," in the sense of crowding, "to damp down," and metaphorically, "to choke." The root word, pnigo, means "to choke."
τὸν (article sg masc acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
λόγον,(noun sg masc acc) "The word" is from logos, which means "computation," "relation," "explanation," "law," "rule of conduct," "continuous statement," "tradition," "word," "discussion," "reckoning," and "value."
καὶ (conj) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
ἄκαρπος[4 verses] (adj sg masc nom) "Unfruitful" is from akarpos, which means "barren," "unfrutiful," and is a metaphor for 'unprofitable."
γίνεται. (verb 3rd sg pres ind mp) "Becometh" is from ginomai, which means "to become," "to come into being," "to happen," and "to be produced." It means changing into a new state of being. It is the complementary opposite of the verb "to be" (eimi) which indicates existence in the same state.When applied to events, this word mean "to happen" or "take place." For things, it cam be "to be produced."
"Barren" also means "unprofitable." Connecting this to Jesus's economic message of productivity.
“The one, however, in the thorns being seeded,” continued the Master,” this is the one hearing the message and not only does the worry of this lifetime...”
He held out one hand.
“But also the treachery of this wealth,” he added holding up the other hand.
“Chokes out the message,” he said as he put both hands on his throat as he pretended to choke himself, gasping until he closed his eyes and his head fell to the side.
The crowd laughed.
He opened his eyes and added with a shrug, “And it is made barren.”
The crowd laughed again.