And that which fell among thorns are they
The seed that fell among thorns, or were sown on thorny ground,
represent such hearers:
which, when they have heard, go forth;
from hearing the word to their worldly business; or go on in the
pursuit of their worldly lusts and pleasures notwithstanding; for
the word translated, "go forth", belongs to the next clause;
and are choked with cares and riches, and pleasures of this
life;
and with it to be read thus, "and going on in or under", that is,
under the power and influence of, "the cares, and riches, and
pleasures of life", they are choked; to which agrees the Arabic
version, which renders it, "in which they walk", or "which they
follow". The Vulgate Latin version is, "and from the cares, and
riches, and pleasures of life, going, they are choked": but it is
not going from them, but going on in them, which chokes them, or
suffocates the word they have heard, whereby it becomes of no
effect; unless it should be rendered, "by the cares" "they are
choked, and bring no fruit to perfection"; for what fruit such
hearers do bring forth, in a way of profession, soon drops off,
and perishes.