Matthew 13:5
Thursday, 11 September 2025
Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. Matthew 13:5
“And others, it fell upon the rock-like, where it had not much earth, and immediately it out-rose through not having soil depth” (CG).
In the previous verse, Jesus continued His parable concerning the sower and his seed, noting that some seed fell on the road, explaining that the birds came and devoured them. He next tells of what happens to some of the other seed, saying, “And others, it fell upon the rock-like, where it had not much earth.”
A new adjective, petródés, is introduced. It is derived from petra, a rock or mass of rocks, and eidos, a view as in a form, appearance, shape, etc. As such, it is a place appearing rocky. In this case, it would be a rocky area, but not everything rock-like is actually rocky, such as a wall painted like rocks.
In this case, it may be an area where stones that have been tilled up are tossed, heaping up in a pile. It also might be an outcropping of rocks that abuts the tillable land. Whatever the situation, the sower, while tossing out his seed, inadvertently has some land on this rocky area. When he does, Jesus next says, “and immediately it out-rose.”
A second new word, exanatelló, is used. It is derived from ek, out or from, and anatelló, to rise or spring up. The seed feels the warmth of the sun, and the rock may have had dew settle on it, spurring the seed to germinate and begin to rise. There is a problem with this, though. Jesus notes what it is, saying, “through not having soil depth.”
A third new word, bathos, deep or a depth, is introduced. Some etymologists place this word as the origin of our modern word bath. Others say that it is derived from a Germanic word. Either way, the seed has no soil to cover it. Jesus will explain the result of those seeds’ germination in the coming verse.
Life application: The parable of the sower is given based on something almost every person there would fully understand. The society was mostly agrarian. There are those who had other professions, but even those people would be at least familiar with what happened when a seed landed on a rocky spot.
In other words, Jesus is dealing with the people in a manner they would be able to comprehend if they thought the matter through. They may not understand the spiritual application He intended, but at least they would know what was being conveyed concerning seeds.
His speech was plain and directed to them without a lot of nonessential extras. This is just how we should speak to people about the gospel. God has made it extremely simple to understand. So much so is this the case that little children can hear it and be saved. People who are mentally challenged can comprehend it and call on Christ.
And more, it is universal in its ability to convert. It is not limited to some cultures, a “western” mindset, skin color, age, education level, or any other dividing factor. God is perfect and holy, and man is fallen and separate from God because of sin. In this state, he is condemned.
However, God sent Jesus to live the perfect life that we cannot. He was crucified for our sins according to Scripture. He was buried. He rose again on the third day according to Scripture. This is the gospel, the good news, that saves a person when he believes. Nothing else is needed, and its effects are eternal.
Tell this message to a little child who just got caught stealing a cookie, and he will get it. Tell it to a prostitute who wants to be freed from the life she is living, and she will get it. Tell it to a doctor or a scientist, and he will understand the meaning.
The message will be understood. The issue isn’t whether a person will hear and understand. It is whether a person will hear and believe. All God wants for His gospel to effect salvation is for the hearer to accept the premise, admit that they have sinned, and believe that God has accomplished what is necessary to bring about restoration.
How simple the message is, and yet how difficult it is for some to believe. And more, people may hear the message and reject it today, but hear it again tomorrow and believe. So keep on giving the simple message of salvation to those who need to hear it.
Glorious God Almighty, with all the wisdom You possess and with all the knowledge in the universe held by You, when it comes to saving humanity, You made the message so simple. There is no need to search high or low, or north or south. Rather, it is right with us when it is spoken in our ears. May we be responsible enough to share it with those who so desperately need You. Amen.
