John Calvin Commentary Matthew 13:20

"And he that was sown upon the rocky places, this is he that heareth the word, and straightway with joy receiveth it;" — Matthew 13:20 (ASV)

But he that received the seed thrown into stony places. This class differs from the former. For temporary faith, being a kind of growth from the seed,²⁰¹ at first promises some fruit; but their hearts are not so properly and thoroughly prepared as to have the softness necessary for their continued nourishment.²⁰² We see too many of this type in our own time who eagerly embrace the Gospel and soon afterward fall away, because they do not have the deep affection that is necessary to give them stability and perseverance.

Let everyone then examine himself thoroughly, so that the eagerness that produces a bright flame may not quickly go out, as the saying goes, like a fire of flax;²⁰³ for if the word does not fully penetrate the whole heart and strike its roots deep, faith will lack the supply of moisture that is necessary for perseverance. Great praise is due, no doubt, to that promptness which receives the word of God with joy and without delay as soon as it is proclaimed; but let us learn that nothing has been accomplished until faith acquires true firmness, so that it may not wither in the first shoot.

²⁰¹ “La foy temporelle, qui est comme le germe de la semence;”— “temporary faith, which is as it were the germ of the seed.”;”— “temporary faith, which is as it were the germ of the seed.”

²⁰² “Mais les coeurs ne sont point tellement cultivez et preparez, qu’ils ayant une douceur pour nourrir et entretenir ce qui est commence;” — “but the hearts are not so cultivated and prepared, as to have a softness for nourishing and supporting what is begun.”;” — “but the hearts are not so cultivated and prepared, as to have a softness for nourishing and supporting what is begun.”

²⁰³ “De peur que ceste ardeur et alaigrete qui est de grand monstre pour le commencement, ne s’en aille bien tost en fumee comme un feu d’estouppes, ainsi que porte le proverbe commun;” — “lest that ardor and alacrity, which makes a great show at the beginning, may soon vanish into smoke, like a fire of tow, as the common proverb goes.”;” — “lest that ardor and alacrity, which makes a great show at the beginning, may soon vanish into smoke, like a fire of tow, as the common proverb goes.”