Movatterモバイル変換

Luke 8:14
And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures ofthis life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

Luke 21:34
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, andso that day come upon you unawares.

Genesis 3:18
Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

which grew up with it
The thorns growing alongside the seedlings indicate that worldly distractions and temptations often coexist with spiritual endeavors. This reflects the reality of the Christian life, where believers must navigate a world filled with competing priorities and influences. The simultaneous growth suggests that these distractions can be subtle and may not immediately appear harmful, but over time, they can become significant obstacles to spiritual maturity.

and choked the seedlings
The choking of the seedlings illustrates how the cares of this world can suffocate spiritual growth, preventing the Word from bearing fruit in a believer's life. This aligns with Jesus' later explanation inLuke 8:14, where He identifies the thorns as life's worries, riches, and pleasures. The imagery of choking conveys a sense of being overwhelmed or overpowered, highlighting the danger of allowing worldly concerns to dominate one's focus. This serves as a warning to remain vigilant and prioritize spiritual health over temporal concerns, echoing teachings found in other scriptures such asMatthew 6:33, where believers are encouraged to seek first the kingdom of God.

• Jesus shifts our attention from the previous soils to introduce a third scenario: “Other seed.”

• The seed is the unchanged, living word of God (cf.Luke 8:11;1 Peter 1:23). It shows the impartial generosity of the Sower—He scatters His word everywhere, even where He knows trouble lies.

• This reminds us that the same gospel reaches people in diverse heart-conditions (Romans 10:17).

• The seed lands in ground already occupied by thorny plants.

• Thorns represent worldly concerns and sinful desires (Jesus’ own explanation inLuke 8:14; alsoMatthew 13:22).

• Because the soil will support whatever is planted, the thorns thrive right alongside the good seed (Jeremiah 4:3–4 warns, “Break up your unplowed ground and do not sow among thorns”).

• The verse underscores personal responsibility: hearts must be cleared before the word is received (James 1:21).

• Both the seedling and the thorns sprout together—initial growth looks promising.

• This coexistence pictures people who make a profession of faith and show early signs of life (Galatians 5:7: “You were running well. Who hindered you?”).

• Yet the unchecked thorns keep pace, silently competing for sun, space, and nutrients (Psalm 1:1 warns against keeping company with influences that sap spiritual vigor).

• The inevitable outcome: the thorns overwhelm the fragile plants.

• The choking is gradual but decisive—spiritual life is stunted by “worries, riches, and pleasures of this life” (Luke 8:14).

• Rich young ruler imagery fits here (Luke 18:22–23); he seemed sincere but possessions strangled obedience.

•1 Timothy 6:9–10 echoes the danger: craving wealth “plunges people into ruin and destruction.”

• Though the seedlings are not dead at once, they bear no mature fruit (John 15:2 stresses fruitfulness as evidence of true discipleship).

Luke 8:7 exposes a heart that hears God’s word but allows unchecked worldly desires to coexist with it. The gospel seed sprouts, yet competing loves—cares, riches, pleasures—grow just as vigorously and finally dominate, leaving no fruit for God’s glory. Christ calls us to clear the soil of our hearts, ruthlessly uprooting spiritual rivals so the word can flourish unhindered and produce lasting harvest.