The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 32

Vers. 1-23 (see also Mark iv. 1-20; Luke viii. 4-15).-T/ie beginning of parables. Utilize introduction to dwell on the plain assertions of vers. 10-17. How- ever deep their real theological meaning, however mysterious their significance in respect of the sovereign conduct of the world and the judgment of mankind, the state- ments are plain. The deep, unfathomable fact underlying the quotation from Isaiah (vers. 14, 15) is not altogether free from offering some analogy to the subject of the sin against the Holy Ghost (see our homily, supra), "not to be forgiven, in this world, nor in the world to come." In the very pleasantest paths of the gospel the inscrutable meets us, and stands right across our way; yet not at all to destroy us, but to order knowledge, faith, and reverence. It is plain, from the express assertion of Christ, that: it is to be regarded by ns as some of the highest of our privilege, to have authoritativ1t -revelation of matters that may be called knowledge in "things present or things to come," which may be nevertheless utterly inscru,table. The absolutely mysterious in the individual facts of our individual life, and for which, nevertheless, the current of that life does not stand still, may stand in some sort of analogy to these greater pheno- mena and greater pronouncements of Divine knowledge and foreknowledge. The pro- mise is not to be found-it were an impossible promise to find-that the marvels of Heaven's government of earth should be all intelligible to us, or should be all of them even uttered in revelation. But some are uttered ; they are written, and there, deep- gravcn, they lie from age to age, weather-beaten enough, yet showing no wear, no attrition, no obliteration of their hieroglyphic inscription-hieroglyphic not for their alphabet, but confessedly for their construction, and the vindicating of it. Note also, in introduction, that the seven parables related in this chapter, a rich cluster, certainly appear from internal evidence (alike the language of the evangelist, ver. 3; that of the disciples in their question, ver. 10; and that of Christ himself, vers. 9, 13) to ha Ye been the first formally spoken by Christ. Of the beginning of parables, therefore, e.s of the beginning of miracles, we are for some reason specifically advised. Notice- 1. THE PERFECT NA TURALNEBB, F Allil.IAR HOMELINESS, EXQUIBITE APTNESS, OF THE 11.ATERIAL OUT OF WfilCH THE STRUCTURE OF THIS PARABLE 18 MADE, Seed and soil; Sower and sowing: and, to throw moving life into the picture, the touch thrown in of the sower "going forth" to sow. II. THE SPECIFIC BUJIJECT OF THIS PARABLE-AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, i.e. THE WILL OF Goo "DONE IN EARTH AS IT IS IN llEAVEN." Such an illustration might be given very variously. '!'he view might be taken from many 11, 1,oiot of vantage, and as the kingdom should be found growing or grown at many & date. This Christ might have given from all bis stores of knowledge, and his true ;cift, true possession, of foresight. He might have shown it in the early days of martyrs t Le might have shown it when Constantine proclaimed it the kingdom of Europe, and ~omething beside; he might have shown it as Christendom projects it ~ow; or be might have shown it e,·en as glimpses-so strange are they that we are fnghtened to fix our gaze on them-are flashed before our doubting vision in tho wonderful Book ot the Revelation. But tLat which Jesus did really choose to give was one of a mors present, practice.] character. It was, as one might suppose from very first glance, an •.m. xnL 1-68.] TllE GOdPEL ACCORDING TO ST. :MATTllEW. 33