Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 8:6

"And other fell on the rock; and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture." — Luke 8:6 (ASV)

This particular parable reflects a situation well known to the audience, and its details would have immediately been grasped by the hearers. The very fact that circumstances so familiar needed still further comment before the spiritual meaning was clear underlines the paradox presented in v.10—namely, that those who see and hear do not understand.

The focal point of the parable has been variously interpreted. In none of the Gospels is the sower the center of attention. Nor is particular stress laid on the seed, though it does represent the word of God (v.11); and the whole act of sowing the seed is proclaiming the Gospel of the kingdom.

What does catch attention is the variety of soils. The sower himself is not immediately concerned about the kind of soil. Since plowing followed sowing in Jesus’ culture, the trampled ground where people crossed the field might later be plowed under with seed; so it is not excluded from the sowing. The same could be true of young thorn bushes (v.7). Furthermore, the rocky subsoil (v.6) might not be visible at the time of sowing. The low yield from the poor soil is overshadowed by the very large yield from the good soil (v.8)—an encouragement for Jesus’ disciples to realize that the ultimate greatness of the kingdom will make all their efforts worthwhile.