“As for those seeds
On the good soil,
These are the ones
Who,
When they hear
The word,
They hold it fast
In an honest
And good heart.
They bear fruit
With a patient endurance.”
τὸ δὲ ἐν τῇ καλῇ γῇ, οὗτοί εἰσιν οἵτινες ἐν καρδίᾳ καλῇ καὶ ἀγαθῇ ἀκούσαντες τὸν λόγον κατέχουσιν καὶ καρποφοροῦσιν ἐν ὑπομονῇ.
Luke indicated that Jesus said that the seeds on the good soil (τὸ δὲ ἐν τῇ καλῇ γῇ) are the ones (οὗτοί εἰσιν οἵτινες) who heard the word (ἀκούσαντες τὸν λόγον) and held it or kept it fast (κατέχουσιν) with an honest and good heart (ἐν καρδίᾳ καλῇ καὶ ἀγαθῇ). They would bear fruit with a patient endurance (καὶ καρποφοροῦσιν ἐν ὑπομονῇ). This explanation of the sower parable about the good seeds can be found in all 3 synoptic gospels, Mark, chapter 4:20, Matthew, chapter 13:23, and here, with Matthew closer to Mark. Mark and Matthew indicated that Jesus said that the seeds sown on good soil were the people who heard the word and accepted it. They then bore good fruit. They yielded either 30-fold, 60-fold, or a 100-fold. Matthew, had the reverse order of Mark, 100, 60, and 30, while Luke, has no number on the fruitful harvest. Only about 25% of the seeds sown were effective. Thus, only about 25% of the people hearing the word of the kingdom from Jesus would follow it. The seeds or the word that fell on the path, on the rocky ground, or the thorns were ineffective. However, even among the effective seeds that were on good soil, the word would have different results. Some would yield 30 times, some 60, and some 100. There was no magic formula. The circumstances among the good hearers would also bring about a variety of responses and effectiveness. How effective are the seeds of the word of God in your life?
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 